Philipponnat : Blanc de Noirs 2020

Characteristics and tasting tips for Philipponnat Blanc de Noirs 2020

Tasting notes

Appearance
The wine displays an intense golden hue, enhanced by subtle pale pink highlights and an exceptionally fine mousse.

Nose
The aromatic bouquet opens with intense notes of dark fruit such as blackcurrant. With aeration, it gains complexity, revealing touches of spice, hints of sandalwood and a delicate suggestion of vanilla.

Palate
The strikingly fresh attack gives way to a vinous, structured palate. A lively, tangy backbone carries flavorful notes of exotic fruit, such as crisp mango and lime, stretching into a long, elegant finish marked by noble bitterness reminiscent of anise.

Food and wine pairing

This gastronomic wine pairs wonderfully with sweet-and-savory dishes such as a chicken tagine with apricots and almonds. It will also elevate rich dishes such as artisanal terrines or foie gras.

Serving and cellaring

For optimal enjoyment, we recommend serving this Blanc de Noirs 2020 between 8 and 9°C as an aperitif, and between 10 and 12°C with a meal. This great wine can be enjoyed now or cellared until around 2030.

The pure expression of Pinot Noir in a great Champagne by Philipponnat

The estate

While the Philipponnat family has been cultivating vines in Aÿ since 1522, the eponymous Champagne house was officially founded in 1910 in Mareuil-sur-Aÿ. Now part of the Lanson-BCC group, the estate remains under the leadership of a family member, Charles Philipponnat. A pioneer in showcasing single-plot terroirs with its legendary Clos des Goisses, the estate stands out for its deep commitment to sustainable viticulture and highly precise winemaking, bringing out the best of Pinot Noir through vinous, fresh, low-dosage cuvées.

The vineyard

This cuvée comes from a rigorous selection of grapes sourced exclusively from Premier and Grand Cru vineyards in Champagne. The vines thrive in the prestigious areas of the Montagne de Reims, as well as on the house's historic land in Mareuil-sur-Aÿ and Mailly.

The vintage

The 2020 vintage is part of a series of sun-drenched years. After a mild, wet winter that replenished water reserves, the spring proved warm and dry, encouraging rapid vine development. The particularly arid summer led to swift, optimal ripening of the berries, yielding grapes rich in sugars and phenolic compounds, while preserving fine acidity thanks to cool nights.

Vinification and aging

The Blanc de Noirs 2020 is crafted exclusively from the first pressing, a guarantee of purity. Around 39.7% of the wines in the blend are vinified in wood and in tank without malolactic fermentation, in order to preserve maximum tension. The wine then benefits from extended aging on lees in the house's cellars for five to seven years before disgorgement.

Grape variety

100% Pinot Noir