Roy Soleil Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru

Maison Philippe Gonet was founded in Vertus in 1830 by Pierre-Charles Gonet. In 1910,  the champagne house moved to its current location, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger.

Philippe Gonet has 19 hectares of its own vineyards, primarily Chardonnay, complemented by a supply from  5 hectares of Pinot Noir.  Its vineyards are spread over 45 different parcels and sit in 11 terroirs. The average age of the vines is between 30 and 40 years, with one very old parcel planted in 1929.

The house has forged its reputation with its Champagne Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru, which boasts a remarkable mineral character, developed over seven generations, and which comes from 40 metres of chalk soil, formed millions of years ago when the sea retreated.

Appearance

Golden yellow.  Fine, long lasting bubbles.

Nose

Very attractive. Nice fruit aromas (sweet Golden Delicious apples), interspersed with dried nut and buttery notes, against a smoky mineral backdrop.

Palate

Creamy and fresh, with crisp, smooth CO2 and very good mineral acidity that invites you to carry on drinking.  Long, lingering finish.

Comment

This champagne appeared in 2003 as a tribute to King Louis XIV, one of history's famous proponents of champagne drinking.

It is a single varietal Chardonnay with the grapes coming  from grand cru vineyards located in Le Mesnil sur Oger, planted in terrain composed of clay and limestone, with lower layers containing thin layers of gypsum from the Tertiary period. Tasted blind, this champagne could be described as a Chablis with bubbles.
A blend of 30% reserve wines vinified in barrels from the 2008 vintage and 70% wines vinified in the 2009 vintage tanks, which adds greater complexity to the final blend.

Recommended with wild sea bass with an emulsion of mussels and sea urchins.

Glass by RIEDEL, GRAPE collection,  CHAMPAGNE model.