Founded in the 16th century and firmly established in Mareuil-sur-Aÿ for more than five centuries, the Philipponnat Champagne house has built its reputation on a refined and sophisticated interpretation of Pinot Noir. Yet, through its Blanc de Blancs cuvée, it brilliantly demonstrates its mastery of Chardonnay, offering a unique take on the Philipponnat style. This cuvée, always vintage, is a luminous highlight in the house’s range: a Blanc de Blancs where precision, depth, and elegance come together in remarkable harmony.
Made exclusively from Chardonnay grapes sourced from the Premiers and Grands Crus of Avenay, Cramant, Verzy, and Vertus, the Grand Blanc 2020 elegantly captures the sunny character of the vintage. The year, marked by early ripening and particularly hot, dry conditions, produced grapes of great aromatic richness. Thanks to rigorous selection and the absence of malolactic fermentation, the grape variety’s natural freshness has been precisely preserved.
The nose immediately captivates with its delicacy and purity. The initial notes evoke lemon zest, citron, and elderflower, in an ethereal and refined profile. With aeration, the wine gains complexity, revealing nuances of fresh almond, pastry, and delicately melted butter—characteristics derived from partial vinification in oak and extended aging on the lees. On the palate, the attack is both lively and creamy. The body, full-bodied without being excessive, reveals beautiful depth while maintaining a remarkable sense of lightness. Flavors of ripe citrus and candied lemon give way to more subtle notes of sweet licorice and almond, while a mineral backbone elegantly ties the whole together. The Extra-Brut dosage of 4.25 g/L complements this structure without ever masking the purity of the Chardonnay.
The extended aging of seven to nine years on the lees adds an extra dimension to the wine, enriching its expression with tertiary aromas while refining the texture of the bubbles. The finish, persistent and refined, is distinguished by a delicate hint of iodine that prolongs the citrus and chalk notes with great precision.
The 2020 Blanc de Blancs thus emerges as a Champagne of great distinction, where the richness of the vintage is perfectly balanced by the tension and finesse of the Chardonnay. A Blanc de Blancs suited to both fine dining and celebration, it is ideal as an aperitif but also remarkable paired with lobster in beurre blanc, roasted langoustines, or fine line-caught fish.
