Philipponnat Extra Brut Champagne Clos des Goisses 2008

98 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The 2008 Clos des Goisses is just as impressive today as it has always been. Rich, dense and explosive, the 2008 exists in three dimensions, with remarkable textural depth and vertical intensity to burn. Clos des Goisses is notoriously slow to develop. Readers who can be patient will be treated to a spectacular Champagne. The blend is 55% Chardonnay and 45% Pinot Noir, which makes the 2008 a rare Clos des Goisses that favors Chardonnay. About 75% of the lots were fermented in oak. Disgorged April 2017. Dosage is 4.25 grams per liter. Drink: 2023-2058. (Jul 2018)"

98 points Peter Moser (Falstaff): "Medium straw yellow, silver reflections; fine, constant mousse. Attractive fruit nuances of fig, peach and pineapple, a hint of nougat and biscuit underneath. On the palate juicy, creamy texture, a hint of fruit cake, taut acidity, lemony-mineral underpinning, a hint of grapefruit on the finish, has a very good length. Already accessible, but will mature nicely over the coming years. (11/21/19)"

98 points Jasper Morris, MW (Inside Burgundy): "After a difficult patch during the 1990’s, this cuvée has been on scintillating form since the 2002 vintage. Blocked Malolactic, 75% vinified in oak and a dosage of 4.5g/l. Higher Chardonnay content than usual (55%) contributes to the overall impression of finesse. Rich, succulent fruit, and dazzling acidity, so incredibly long with a palate staining finish that goes on and on. Phenomenal intensity, phenomenal potential. One of the wines of the vintage. Drink from 2028 until 2050. (Apr 2020)"

96+ points Stephan Reinhardt (Wine Advocate): "From a cooler, fresher vintage and based on more Chardonnay than usual (55%), with 45% Pinot Noir, the Philipponnat 2008 Clos des Goisses Extra-Brut shows an exciting bouquet of bright fruits, crushed chalk, bread and iodine notes. On the palate, this is an excitingly vibrant, fresh and chalky Clos with lovely citrus and cumquat flavors on the finish. The 2008 is very complex, bright, super clear and fresh, with a tightly woven structure but still great finesse and elegance. This is a fabulous Clos for the next three decades. The dosage is 4.5 grams per liter. Disgorged in April 2017 (?), tasted at the domaine in April 2018. Drink: 2019-2050. (Jun 2018)"

96 points Michael Edwards (Decanter): "Shimmering pale gold with green flecks. The slight majority of Chardonnay is a fine decision, as unlike a lot of '08s, the wine is already a pleasure to drink - but it will continue to live a long and distinguished life. Terrific expression of a complex range of citrus scents, confit of lemon and a touch of bergamot. The palate is stunning, with a promise of burgeoning flavours into the 2030s. The fruit is ideally, subtly ripe in classic cooler conditions, but also mineral-stamped in the Clos' tradition. The 2008 has everything - a true great. Drinking Window: 2019-2035. (Sep 2017)"

95+ points John Gilman (View From the Cellar): "The 2008 Clos des Goisses is one of the very few where the chardonnay in the blend is in ascendency over the pinot noir, as in this vintage the cépages is fifty-five percent chardonnay and forty-five percent pinot noir. The only other vintage where I can think of this blend being found in Clos des Goisses is in the magical 1964, which may portend greatness for the beautiful 2008 version. The wine was disgorged in May of 2017 and today is showing beautifully, albeit in its youthful guise, wafting from the glass in a blend of apple, pear, a touch of almond, beautiful minerality, a touch of citrus peel and hints of the musky floral tones to come with further bottle age. On the palate the wine is crisp, pure and full, with a fairly closed down and youthful personality today, a great core of fruit, precise, seamless balance, very elegant mousse, great length and grip and simply stunning potential for a decade down the road. This will be a legendary vintage of Clos des Goisses in the fullness of time, but it is still a puppy and needs more bottle age! 2028-2085. (May/Jun 2019)"

95 points Wine Spectator: "Refined and seamless, showing effortless integration of the expressive, chalk-tinged minerality, the frame of sleek acidity, and the flavors of poached apple, pastry dough, orchard blossom, ground ginger and graphite carried on a delicate mousse. Impressive for the finesse and grace it projects today, but the restrained power here suggests a long future in the cellar. Disgorged April 2017. Drink now through 2035. (11/30/18)"

95 points Wine & Spirits: "The Clos des Goisses is a 13.6-acre parcel on a chalk hillside in Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, a steep, 45-degree slope facing due south, planted to chardonnay (55 percent) and pinot noir. A majority of the wine ferments in oak casks and none of it undergoes malolactic fermentation. The direct southerly exposure and the steep slope provided an ideal situation in a cool, rainy season like 2008, creating a wine with facets and dimensions that continue to shift and evolve through a nuanced finish. The fruit feels completely ripe, and the minimal dosage only serves to accelerate the cool, gingery clarity of flavor. Panelist Jamal Rayyis described the remarkable length of flavor as “turmeric, dried spice, dried apple and chalkiness,” and suggested taking it to dinner at a Thai place for fish in a coconut curry. (Disgorged 9/17.) (Dec 2018)"