Philipponnat : Grand Blanc L.V. 2005

Tasting characteristics and advice for Philipponnat’s Grand Blanc L.V. 2005

Tasting

Appearance

The wine displays a bright straw-yellow hue.

Nose

The nose reveals a complex bouquet interweaving notes of white flowers and candied citrus. Toasty, brioche-like aromas round out this aromatic palette.

Palate

On the palate, this champagne seduces with its creamy texture and remarkable balance. The long, mineral finish attests to the complexity gained over the years.

Food and wine pairings

This exceptional champagne pairs perfectly with seafood, especially oysters and lobster. It also matches beautifully with fine fish such as turbot or sole, as well as aged cheeses like Comté or Parmesan.

Serving and cellaring

Grand Blanc L.V. 2005 is best enjoyed at a temperature between 8 and 10°C.

An outstanding blanc de blancs champagne

The estate

Officially founded in 1910 by Pierre and Auguste Philipponnat in Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, the Philipponnat House draws on a family heritage dating back to 1522, when Apvril Philipponnat purchased vineyards in the region. Today, Charles Philipponnat, representing the sixteenth generation, leads this House, which farms around twenty hectares of vineyards, mainly classified as Premier and Grand Crus.

The vineyard

Grand Blanc L.V. 2005 comes exclusively from Chardonnay plots located on the prestigious terroirs of the Côte des Blancs and the Montagne de Reims. These vineyards benefit from the chalky soils characteristic of Champagne, giving the wines their distinctive minerality and freshness. The House practices environmentally respectful viticulture, certified HVE and VDC, favoring manual methods and mechanical soil cultivation.

The vintage

The year 2005 in Champagne was marked by a warm and moderately dry climate. After a mild winter and spring, summer brought steady warmth that accelerated grape ripening. Flowering took place in June, and despite a few rainy spells in early July, the harvest began on September 9. The grapes showed excellent sugar levels and remarkable ripeness, producing rich, well-balanced wines.

Winemaking and aging

Grand Blanc L.V. 2005 benefited from extended aging for twenty years on lees before disgorgement. This exceptional maturation, carried out under reductive conditions in the House’s historic cellars, made it possible to develop remarkable aromatic complexity while preserving the wine’s freshness. Disgorgement was performed between six and nine months before release, and the Extra Brut dosage applied allows for optimal expression of the aromatic personality acquired during this long aging period.

Grape variety

100% Chardonnay