Philipponnat Les Cintres Extra Brut 2012 (750ML)

99 DE / 99 DB / 97 WA / 95 VM

A spectacular 100% Pinot Noir from inside the Clos de Goisses walled vineyard, only made in the best vintages, and new to the Place de Bordeaux this year. Raspberry and rose petal aromas on the nose with blackcurrants and strawberries too. Dense and concentrated on the palate but tons of energy and freshness too - rich, ripe fruit flavours and a muscular, firm frame but no fat. Juicy and succulent, intense, full and powerful initially then settles and expands making way for the tangy strawberry and lemon sherbet elements to shine. So lively, youthful and upfront with a chiselled backbone and generous interplay between a sweet and dry mouthfeel. Red berries mingle with peach, salty stones, floral accents and a soft undercurrent of orange zest and yet finishes with a menthol freshness that is so captivating. Cheek sucking and totally delicious - what a wine! Dosage 4.3gl. 100% fermented in oak barrels of one year old then ageing nine years on the lees. Disgorged June 2022. 2,176 bottles produced. - Georgina Hindle, Decanter

From an outstanding vintage, the 2012 Les Cintres extra brut derives from vines planted on two parcels inside the Clos des Goisses walled vineyard planted with Pinot Noir. It possesses a multifaceted, intense bouquet with aromas of pear, spring flowers, cherries, ripe orchard fruits, crushed stones, honey and rose petals, followed by a full-bodied, fleshy and racy palate that’s simultaneously crystalline and pure with a splendid core of fruit, racy acids and a long, endless finish. Presently, it stands as the most exceptional Les Cintres rendition. Dosage was 4.5 grams per liter. - YC, Wine Advocate

The 2012 Extra-Brut Les Cintres is a small pure Pinot bottling from one of the core parcels in Clos des Goisses. Medium in body and polished, the 2012 is wonderfully sophisticated wine. Crushed flowers, mint, chalk, dried herbs, orchard fruit and chamomile all grace this exquisite Champagne. Most importantly, the balance of wine and oak today is far better than it was in the first years, even if the 2012 is not showing the richness of the vintage just yet. I suspect this will have a lot more to say later on, as it opens beautifully on the mid-palate and finish, offering a glimpse of what is to come. Dosage is 4.5 grams per liter. Disgorged: June 2022. -- Antonio Galloni