Champagne Gosset Célébris Extra Brut 1998

Notes - Champagne Gosset has been the same for four centuries. Founded in Aÿ in 1584 by grower and winemaker Pierre Gosset, the then still wines of Gosset first found fame at the court of Francois 1. The reputation of the wine was such that the King ordered his own cellar to be built at Aÿ. Production turned to sparkling wine in the 18th century following the discovery of the méthode champenoise. The family eventually sold the company in 1993 to Max Cointreau, owner of the prestigious Cognac house Frapin. The Gosset blends are made from fruit grown only in the Premiers and Grands Crus (villages) in the Marne region. The naturally fruity character that makes Gosset so instantly recognisable is due to the fine malic acid preserved in the wine – there is no malolactic fermentation. A percentage of the blends destined for the Grande Réserve and up are fermented in wooden vats. Four centuries of experience and knowledge have not been forgotten. The traditional methods of poignettage (riddling) and dégorgement are still carried out by hand, each day. The wines are then aged for a minimum of three years before release to allow them to develop fully. The Gosset Celebris Extra Brut is Chardonnay (64%) and Pinot Noir (36%) and the grapes are selected from eight Grands Crus. It is a beautiful, deep, bright clear golden colour, shot with green tints and shimmering flashes of amber. Fine, vivacious sparkle made up of a myriad of tiny, diaphanous, lively bubbles in subtle but continuous ribbons. The nose is powerful and concentrated, releasing fresh, floral and fruity scents of hawthorn, privet, jasmine, orange flower and other superbly-honed, elegant, ripe fruitier notes: fresh pineapple, peaches, and apricot, indicating the wine’s rich, diverse, elegant character, fullness and depth. Swirling releases delicate aromas reminiscent of baking (sponge cake), with lemon balm and lemon verbena. Finishes with volatile milky, cakey, toasty notes of mocha with a very fleeting, spicy hint of freshly split vanilla pod.This cuvée shows astounding aroma and flavour. It is remarkably rich, concentrated and pure, beautifully fresh and seductive. Inviting, lively and very fresh, the taste is at once full, delicate and very appealing. Superbly elegant, it offers obvious complexity. The flavours complement one another perfectly. Each fruity flavour has its own specific texture: grated citrus peel (grapefruit, lemon) then the juice of the same fruit and pineapple rings, peaches poached in syrup, apricot jelly, all nicely rounded off by an unusual touch of candied angelica. Body is poised between fullness and freshness, roundness and balance. The wine becomes even more pleasing, precise and flavoursome, divided between the familiar, engaging yeasty scents of baking to the more substantial, concentrated spicy note of vanilla essence. Pleasantly persistent, almost ‘soothing’ and moreish, the wine finishes on notes redolent of candied citron fruit and mocha gateau. A Champagne to be enjoyed as an aperitif, and with a challenging array of dishes – from cheese, vegetable, seafood and fish, or meat dishes, as well as fruit desserts.
 
     

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