Philipponnat "Clos des Goisses Juste Rosé" Extra Brut 2012
(Champagne, France) - [JD 98] [JS 97] [WA 95] [VM 95]

About the Domaine:
For almost five hundred years, the Philipponnat family has left its mark on the soil of the Champagne region. Generations have cultivated the land at Ay, the family's home since the time of Apvril le Philipponnat who owned vines at Le Léon, between Ay and Dizy, in 1522. In the 16th century, the family’s ancestors were winegrowers and merchants, suppliers to the court of Louis XIV, magistrates and Royal Mayors of Ay - a town which was directly dependent on the Crown since the era of the Counts of Champagne.

Philipponnat was the first Champagne House to indicate the main year used in its non-vintage blends, the dosage and the date of disgorgement on back labels, informing consumers and wine experts of the characteristics of each cuvée.

About this Champagne:
In 1935 'Clos des Goisses' was the first single vineyard Champagne produced and it would take over 50 years for other Houses to start producing serious Champagne just from a single Clos. It is produced using grapes grown on a unique, pure chalk hillside with a 45 degree slope facing due south, in Mareuil-sur-Ay. Its name certainly reveals its true nature; in the old Champagne dialect, Gois or Goisse means a very steep slope. This is always a vintage wine with a very low dosage. Vinified mainly in wooden casks with no malolactic fermentation, it is distinctively full-bodied with an exceptionally long finish.

Clos des Goisses Juste Rosé 2012 is the ninth rosé cuvée from Clos des Goisses since 1999. Already legendary for collectors and connoisseurs, only 2 to 3 thousand bottles of each vintage are produced (2255 bottles in 2012). Made from 68% Pinot Noir and 32% Chardonnay with 4.25g/l dosage, this is elegant and floral with notes of elderflower leading into intense aromas of redcurrant and red fruit, and ending with pleasant, toasted notes. The palate is at once rich and mineral, presenting notes of blackberry and small red fruit. The long, fresh, and elegant finish is typical of the vintage.

Ratings & Reviews

98 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"The 2012 Champagne Clos de Goisses Juste Extra Brut Rosé has 8-10% percent of still wine added to the base. The color is a pale salmon hue, and the wine is pretty, with a perfume of apricot, raspberry, spice box, and delicate smoke. It is full and satin-like in texture, with a fine mousse that coats the palate, and its underlying energy lifts its bouquet through a lasting finish. This is an exceptional wine to drink 2024-2044." (11/7/2022)

97 Points - James Suckling:
"This has pretty aromas of apple skins, strawberries, white pepper, hazelnuts, honeycomb, cinnamon stick and apricot compote. Open and silky, with very fine, soft bubbles, yet a firmness and phenolic tightness to it. Refined. 68% pinot noir and 32% chardonnay. Disgorged March 2022. Only 2255 bottles. Drink now or hold." (Dec 2022)

95 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate:
"The just-released 2012 Extra-Brut Clos des Goisses Juste Rosé shares the vinous, textural profile of the regular Clos des Goisses in this vintage, offering up aromas of mirabelle plum, crisp orchard fruits, white flowers, frangipane and papaya. Full-bodied, broad and fleshy, it's a rich, muscular Champagne of considerable depth and persistence." - William Kelley (Aug 2022)

95 Points - Vinous Media:
"The 2012 Extra-Brut Clos des Goisses Juste Rosé is a wild, exotic wine. Kirsch, white pepper, flowers, mint and cranberry lend a gorgeous air of exoticism. As always, the Rosé is light in body gracious and all finesse. The blend is 68% Pinot Noir and 32% Chardonnay. This is the first release made with a blend of what is essentially a Blanc de Noirs base, with the ‘still red’ portion (18%) coming from a saignée. Time in the glass brings out the breadth and natural texture of the year. This is a gorgeous Rosé from Philipponat. Disgorged: March, 2022." - Antonio Galloni (May 2022)