2002 Clos Goisses
By Philipponnat
2002 Clos Goisses by Philipponnat
The 2002 vintage was a brilliant year for champagne, but the 2002 Clos Goisses from Philipponnat stands out as a radiant beacon amidst a sea of outstanding productions. I still vividly remember my encounter with this extraordinary vintage - a visceral symphony unto itself.
Distinctive Eloquence of 2002 Vintage
The bounty of the 2002 season offered ideal conditions for the growth and maturity of the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes in the region. However, it is the subtle deftness in winemaking that amplifies the potential in this vintage of Philipponnat's Clos Goisses. A precision-driven masterpiece reflecting perfectly its remarkable terroir.
The extraordinary depth, layered complexity, and perfect equilibrium achieved in this single plot located on the steepest slope in Champagne is awe-striking. Pinot Noir, dominating with nearly 70% in this blend, makes this champagne incredibly full-bodied, creamy and seductively rich.
A Favourable Omen for Wine investment
Aged on lees for nearly ten years before disgorgement, the 2002 Clos Goisses divulges a stunning racy streak of acidity - orchestrated beautifully amidst luscious textures of honey infused pears, quince, figs and exotic spices. Undoubtedly, an enriching proposition for fine wine investors given its prodigious life-span and near infinite development potential in the cellar.
As it dances subtly between finesse and force, it conjures an image of tightrope walker executing a flawless routine. Indeed, such balance is rare to behold. The finish is enduring; a lingering echo of intricate aromas and delicate flavours that stay imprinted on your palate like calligraphy etched into silk.
Every sip of the 2002 Clos Goisses from Philipponnat becomes a testament to its time and place - captivatingly enigmatic yet eloquently expressive. A vintage whose charm compels each cork popped to be a celebration of an extraordinary year blessed with nature's bounty and human ingenuity.
Current market price
$4,730.00
12x75cl
Highest score
96
POP score
177.5
Scores and tasting notes
The flagship 2002 Brut Clos des Goisses is simply stunning in this vintage. Seamless, ripe and beguiling, the 2002 is pure harmony in the glass. Dried pears, apricots, flowers, red berries and spices are some of the many notes that inform this towering, aristocratic wine. At once vertical yet endowed with serious length, the 2002 stands out for its breathtaking balance and overall sense of harmony. Layers of fruit built to the huge, creamy finish. This is a great showing from Philipponnat. The 2002 was disgorged in June 2011. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2032. I tasted a wide range of fabulous wines with Charles Philipponnat this year. Over the years, the knock on Philipponnat was that few of the entry and mid-level wines were consistent in quality with the flagship Clos des Goisses, one of the true icons of Champagne. I find that much less of an issue these days. One criticism I do have with Philipponnat is with the roses, which generally are made by adding still red wine to the blanc versions of those same Champagnes. While this method, called ‘assemblage,’ is quite common in Champagne, it is much less typical of estates that aspire to make world-class Champagnes, as Philipponnat does. At most of the top houses, the roses are made as stand alone wines, in other words, conceived and executed from the bottom up as their own entities rather than based off another wine. Importers: The Rare Wine Co., Sonoma, CA; tel. (707) 996-4484; Winebow, Montvale, NJ; tel. (201) 445-0620
Antonio Galloni - The Wine Advocate, 30 October 2012