Philipponnat Champagne 1522 Grand Cru Extra Brut

1522 commemorates the year the Philipponnat family, led by Avril De Philipponnat, settled in the village of Ay in the heart of Champagne; 500 years have passed with each vintage embodying the expression of the House’s unique terroirs exhibited as faithfully and naturally as possible. Philipponnat hand hoe and horse plough the soil to preserve the centuries old fragile and precious terroirs emphasising conservation as a way of moving into the future. The majority of the sedimentary rock in Champagne is composed of chalk, marl and limestone creating a porous subsoil, ideal for drainage and providing excellent growing conditions. Chalk is the favourite of the Champagne vines, formed from fragments of marine organisms deposited millions of years ago. It acts as a reservoir to regulate the vine’s water consumption thereby helping to achieve the famous balance of acidity, ripeness and berry aroma. With the perfect storm of soils, sunlight and latitude the Champagne houses are truly onto something. And what has Avril given us 500 years later? A blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay with 8 years on its lees is the answer, with an intense, floral, blossomy nose with elderflower and violet. Almond, blackcurrant, black cherry, dried fruit and nuts with a hint of something candied jostle on the palate but all the while maintaining a glorious freshness and vitality. Is Monday night special enough for this beast? Hell yeah.