2008 Champagne Philipponnat, Cuvée 1522

The blend is 58% Pinot Noir from Aÿ and Verzenay) and 42% Chardonnay from Cramant). The dosage is 4.25 grams per litre. Disgorged: July, 2018.

The 2008 1522 is another compelling mid-tier wine in the Philipponnat range. Creamy, sensual and inviting, the 2008 is super-expressive today. Bright Chardonnay notes add energy to the Pinot fruit in an effortless, gracious Champagne. Orchard fruit, dried flowers, chamomile and lemon confit all resonate through to the finish. 

This year I had a chance to taste a pretty broad range of Champagne with Charles Philipponnat over the course of two visits. What impressed me most was the consistency of the wines across the entire range. As recently as a few years ago, that was not the case. Of course, Clos des Goisses remains the flagship, but there are plenty of intriguing Champagnes in this range, from the entry-level offerings up to the newer, small production bottlings Philipponnat has added recently.

Drink 2019 - 2028

The slightly dominant pinot-noir component 58 per cent) is outgunned by chardonnay’s grapefruit and lemons on the nose. Chalky, fresh and zesty, stony minerals here, too. The palate is dry, crisp and even with gently nutty warmth through the restrained, long and compact finish. Excellent.

Try in 2020

The 2008 Extra Brut Grand Cru 1522 is also showing very well, offering up aromas of citrus, confit citrus, blackcurrants, marzipan and spice. On the palate, it's medium to full-bodied, deep and concentrated, with a layered and multidimensional core that marries the tangy acidic spine of the vintage with plenty of flesh and fruit, concluding with a long and chalky finish. While it's in a very different stylistic register to the 2009, the two are on a similar qualitative plane.

Drink 2019 - 2040