Philipponnat : La Rémissonne 1er Cru Extra Brut 2015

Tasting characteristics and advice for La Rémissonne 1er Cru Extra Brut 2015 from Philipponnat

Tasting

Appearance

The wine displays a bronze-gold hue with luminous highlights.

Nose

Expressive and elegant, the nose reveals aromas of yellow fruits, apricot and quince. Fresh floral notes of violet mingle with hints of brioche and vanilla, while nuances of blood orange peel and kirsch add further dimension. With aeration, the bouquet evolves toward notes of pastry cream, toasted almonds and black plum compote.

Palate

Round and generous, the palate combines delicacy and richness in a remarkable balance. The creamy texture reveals a voluptuous, fruit-forward fullness, with aromas of yellow fruits, papaya and mango. The whole is underpinned by a fine, slightly bitter phenolic framework that brings structure and precision. Lively, well-integrated acidity adds tension and freshness, while the finish lingers at length with chalky, mineral notes.

Food and wine pairings

La Rémissonne 1er Cru Extra Brut 2015 pairs beautifully with delicate fish, game or foie gras. Its distinctive minerality and well-preserved acidity also make it an ideal companion for oysters, seafood, delicate white meats and refined poultry.

Serving and cellaring

La Rémissonne 1er Cru Extra Brut 2015 is best served between 8 and 10°C. This champagne can be cellared on its side in a cool environment, protected from vibrations and light.

An outstanding single-parcel champagne from the premier cru terroir of Mareuil-sur-Aÿ

The estate

Officially founded in 1910 by Auguste and Pierre Philipponnat, Champagne Philipponnat draws on a family presence in Champagne dating back to 1522. Now led by Charles Philipponnat, representing the fifteenth generation, the House remains one of the last major Champagne houses managed by a member of the founding family. Part of the Lanson-BCC group chaired by Bruno Paillard, Philipponnat farms around twenty hectares of vineyards concentrated in Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, Aÿ and Avenay Val d'Or. The House stands out for its terroir-respectful approach, practicing certified organic viticulture for more than thirty years and prioritizing the single-parcel expression of its exceptional vineyards.

The vineyard

The La Rémissonne parcel spans several hectares in the commune of Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, classified as premier cru in Champagne. Located directly above the House’s historic cellars and adjacent to the famous Clos des Goisses, it benefits from an ideal south to south-west exposure. The terroir is characterized by deep chalk soils with a slightly more pronounced clay presence than that of the neighboring Clos des Goisses, giving the grapes a distinctive ripeness profile and a rounder, more generous expression.

The vintage

The year 2015 was marked by exceptional, contrasting weather conditions. After a relatively cool spring, summer proved extraordinarily dry—the most arid seen in Champagne in several decades. The vineyards experienced pronounced water stress until early September. The generous sunshine of late August and September particularly benefited south-facing hillside vineyards such as La Rémissonne, allowing the grapes to reach remarkable ripeness levels with potential alcohol above 13%. Harvest began during the third week of September in dry conditions, enabling optimal selection with moderate yields that ensured maximum concentration.

Vinification and aging

The vinification of La Rémissonne 1er Cru Extra Brut 2015 was partially carried out in oak to bring additional aromatic complexity. Malolactic fermentation was not performed, thus preserving the mineral freshness and fine acidity characteristic of this single-parcel terroir. The wine then benefited from extended aging on lees in bottle, during which it gradually developed its tertiary aromatic complexity. The dosage was set at 4.5 grams per liter, allowing the full expression of the terroir’s minerality and the grape’s organoleptic profile.

Grape variety

100% pinot noir