Philipponnat Extra Brut Champagne Clos des Goisses 2012

98 points Anne Krebiel, MW (Falstaff): "A most subtle sublimation of power. The nose opens with apple mellowness and an immediate sense of creaminess. The palate is intense, bold yet measured, there is power and beautifully defined, flexed muscle. The mousse is supremely fine, the salty, peppery verve of fresh rye bread crumb is highlighted by a profound vein of chalky freshness. Sublime and timeless. (11/12/21)"

98 points/'Le Coup de Coeur,' La Revue du Vin de France: "Clos des Goisses is a splendid champagne, combining full ripeness of the grape and fullness of the palate. A great wine. (2023)"

98 points/'#72 Top 100 Cellar Selections 2021,' Wine Enthusiast: "[$380 list] This single vineyard, one of the steepest in Champagne, produces fabulous wines. Richness restrained by the minerality from the terroir is balanced by the structured Pinot Noir fruits that bring touches of toast, spice and white fruits. Drink through 2025 at least. Alcohol 12%. (Dec 2021)"

98 points Bettane & Desseauve Guide: "Delicious and caressing on the palate, very long, very complex, sovereign balance. Perfection. (2023)"

97+ points William Kelley (Wine Advocate): "Disgorged in April 2021 with the usual 4.5 grams per liter dosage, Philipponnat's 2012 Extra-Brut Clos des Goisses offers up generous aromas of pear, pomelo and peach mingled with hints of honeycomb, macadamia nut and fresh bread. Full-bodied, broad and vinous, it's fleshy and textural, with a strikingly concentrated core of fruit, compelling mid-palate plenitude, bright acids and a pillowy pinpoint mousse. Demonstrative, even dramatic, its youthful generosity is deceptive, as it's only with some bottle age that real complexity will emerge. Drink: 2025-2045. (Jan 2022)"

97+ points Audrey Frick (JebDunnuck.com): "The 2012 Champagne Clos de Goisses is true to character and is the most opulent and decadent expression. It is flush with a generous perfume and liqueur, with ripe apricot brûlée, toasted brioche, raspberry eau de vie, and saline. The palate is round and full, though light on its feet, with kirsch and a chalky texture. Its salinity makes up for the more modest acidity and contributes to a compelling and savory wine. Drink over the next 20-25 years. Drink: 2022-2047. (11/7/22)"

97 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The 2012 Extra-Brut Clos des Goisses is a Champagne of extraordinary elegance and finesse. Silky and aromatic, the 2012 impresses with its mid-weight, refined personality. Hints of kirsch, red plum, flowers and chamomile open gently in the glass. Clos des Goisses is often a rich, vinous Champagne, but the 2012 comes across as restrained and understated in all the right ways. Its aging potential will be measured in decades not years. Sadly, severe spring frost took with it a startling 50% of the crop. According to Charles Philipponnat Pinot fared better than Chardonnay. Ultimately, though, the Goisses blend is a typical two-thirds Pinot and one-third Chardonnay. Dosage is 4.5 grams per liter. Drink: 2024-2047. (Nov 2021)"

97 points James Suckling: "Aromas of bread dough, mandarin, strawberry, raspberry and light dry earth follow through to a full body with lightly candied fruit, phenolic tension and a clear, bright finish. Mineral. Pure. Dry and layered at the end with a note of chalk. No malo. 61% pinot noir and 39% chardonnay. Drink now. (9/24/21)"

96 points Tom Hewson (TimAtkin.com): "69% Pinot Noir and 39% Chardonnay from the celebrated site in Mareuil-sur-Äy. Clos des Goisses perfectly sums up the unusual intensity of 2012 - massive, ripe generosity riding a compressed core of acidity, all finding an unlikely, addictive balance. In fact, sugar levels were the highest in 20 years in 2012, and the fruit shows some of this intense candied tropical character, with dried stone fruit, raspberry tart and dried citrus headiness. In truth the concentration and volume is startling, but it all hangs together with a disarming ease. A marvel. (Dec 2022)"

95 points Georgina Hindle (Decanter): "A wonderful nose blending a wonderful combination of fruit and sweet patisserie elements - lemon, apple, grapefruit and pear with buttery biscuit and roasted hazelnut notes. The palate is strikingly bright filled with textured, lively and persistent bubbles underpinned by balanced acidity and depth of flavour overall. A really well-constructed Champagne from the acclaimed 2012 vintage giving body, weight, precision and drive with a long length. Each sip is so satisfying. Disgorged in April 2021 after eight years on the lees, 60% aged in Burgundy barrels and 40% in stainless steel. A dosage of 4.5g/l which is the same for every Clos des Goisses. This, alongside with the 1996 vintage are new to the Place de Bordeaux this year with Philipponnat the first Champagne house to use the distribution network. Drinking Window: 2021-2035. (Jul 2021)"

19/20 points Julia Harding, MW (JancisRobinson.com) (9/22/21).