2008 Philipponnat Grand Blanc

Very fragrant chardonnay here, offering white flowers, sweet smelling honey, almond nougat, lemons and peaches. The palate is very crisp, very focused and long with brioche flavor and a finely layered texture. Some chalky lemons and peaches to close. Drink now or hold.

The 2008 Grand Blanc is bright, precise and finely sculpted, with expressive citrus peel, white flower and white pepper notes. There is plenty of vintage 2008 cut, but Philipponnat has done a terrific job in giving the Grand Blanc enough softness around the edges to make the 2008 easy to drink young. Dosage is 4.5 grams per liter. Disgorged September 2016.

Disgorged in March 2017 the 2008 Grand Blanc Extra Brut is 100% Chardonnay from premier and grand cru sites (Cote des Blancs, Trapaille and Clos des Goisses) that was dosed with 4.25 grams per liter. It is clear and intense on the concentrated nose that displays ripe white fruit aromas with delicate brioche and just a hint of mocha. Round, intense, creamy yet pure and expressive on the palate, this is a complex and very persistent 2008 that is provided with very fine tannins and delicate but lingering minerality, with an impressive finish. Part of the wine (30% to 50%) fermented and aged in used barrels, and malolactic fermentation was blocked by bringing down the temperature. Jun 2018, www.robertparker.com