{"product_id":"1998-philipponnat-clos-des-goisses","title":"Philipponnat Champagne \"Clos des Goisses\" 1998","description":"\u003cfont face=\"Verdana\" size=\"-2\"\u003ePeter Liem in ChampagneGuide.net.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/font\u003e\u003cfont face=\"Verdana\" size=\"2\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe 1998 is one of the finest Clos des Goisses of modern times,\u003c\/strong\u003e ranking alongside the 1995, which has been my personal favorite of the 1990s. The 98 is firmer than the 95, says Charles Philipponnat. Itll have a longer run, I think. But theyre quite close [in quality]. \u003cstrong\u003eThis is already full in fragrance and seductively complex, showing a silky concentration on the palate. \u003c\/strong\u003eEven for a Clos des Goisses this demonstrates a remarkable intensity and dimension of flavor, strongly anchored by the darkly smoky minerality typical of the site. \u003cstrong\u003eIt builds towards a voluminous and terrifically long finish, forceful in its resonance while maintaining an impeccable sense of fineness and poise, profound in its completeness and in its vivid, crystalline purity.\u003c\/strong\u003e Champagne aficionados will no doubt pit this, and any other vintage of the decade, against the 1996while I think that the 1996 Clos des Goisses is an outstanding wine, \u003cstrong\u003eI find the 1998 to demonstrate a more complete sense of harmony, better integrating its components.\u003c\/strong\u003e Last tasted: 10\/08 \u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003e3 out of 3 stars.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/font\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cfont face=\"Verdana\" size=\"-2\"\u003eBrad Baker of Champagne Warrior, June 2011\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/font\u003e\u003cfont face=\"Verdana\" size=\"2\" the aromas of this wine combine characteristics chardonnay and pinot noir perfectly as dark enigmatic toast biscuit billow from glass.\u003eFollowing this lead, the palate adds a strong citrus backbone to hard-baked bread flavors. Mineral, orange, and ripe, concentrated peach and pear coalesce around the citrus center as a touch of smoky apricot sneaks in on the finish.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMost striking is its tightly wound and profoundly dark nature. This is almost like a Goth version of the tete de cuve, especially given that the 1998 vintage is more typically known for being fresh, fruity, and open. Over time, as the bottle breathes, it lightens a bit, but this Clos des Goisses demands further cellaring. This is very atypical for the 1998 vintage, but when is Clos des Goisses ever typical? This wine has continued to slowly open and improve since release, and \u003cstrong\u003eeven with its obvious potential, I would not be surprised if I have underestimated this.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e(35% Chardonnay, 65% Pinot Noir; Single vineyard in Mareuil-sur-Ay; Steel and oak fermentation \u0026amp; aging; No malolactic fermentation; Disgorged June 2007; 4.5 g\/L Dosage; Production of ~ 10,000 bottles;) \u003c\/em\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003e90-92 points.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/font\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Vins Rare","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46037342257391,"sku":"3151","price":159.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0707\/7140\/9135\/files\/philipponnat_closdesgoisses2006-LBL_5574f245-9d67-4161-8d33-de053fa5f500.png?v=1772599695","url":"https:\/\/vinsrare.com\/products\/1998-philipponnat-clos-des-goisses","provider":"Vins Rare","version":"1.0","type":"link"}