Champagne Philipponnat Le Leon Grand Cru Extra Brut 2015
(Champagne, France) - [WA 97] [JD 97]

About the Domaine:
For almost five hundred years, the Philipponnat family has left its mark on the soil of the Champagne region. Generations have cultivated the land at Ay, the family's home since the time of Apvril le Philipponnat who owned vines at Le Léon, between Ay and Dizy, in 1522. In the 16th century, the family’s ancestors were winegrowers and merchants, suppliers to the court of Louis XIV, magistrates and Royal Mayors of Ay - a town which was directly dependent on the Crown since the era of the Counts of Champagne.

Philipponnat was the first Champagne House to indicate the main year used in its non-vintage blends, the dosage and the date of disgorgement on back labels, informing consumers and wine experts of the characteristics of each cuvée.

About this Champagne:
In 1935 'Clos des Goisses' was the first single vineyard Champagne produced and it would take over 50 years for other Houses to start producing serious Champagne just from a single Clos. It is produced using grapes grown on a unique, pure chalk hillside with a 45 degree slope facing due south, in Mareuil-sur-Ay. Its name certainly reveals its true nature; in the old Champagne dialect, Gois or Goisse means a very steep slope. This is always a vintage wine with a very low dosage. Vinified mainly in wooden casks with no malolactic fermentation, it is distinctively full-bodied with an exceptionally long finish.

Made from 78% Pinot Noir and 22% Chardonnay with 4.5g/l dosage. 

A very great wine as well as being a very great Champagne, Clos des Goisses is specifically intended as an accompaniment to haute cuisine. Mineral and intense, it makes an unforgettable match for dishes with strong flavours: game, truffles, caviar and cheese.

Ratings & Reviews

97 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
 The 2015 Champagne Le Leon Aÿ Extra Brut pours a medium copper/straw color and is expressive on the nose but has a more floral and mineral aromatic profile compared to the La Rémissonne. It offers a slightly toastier profile with soft umami notes as well as porcini, red plum, and orange peel. The palate has a good deal of structure and more depth, with a more profound and intense mineral persistence and drive as well as a very long finish. It demands time in the cellar as it’s a more tension-packed wine. Drink 2027-2047. (Drink between 2027-2047)

97 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: 

Crafted entirely from Pinot Noir and planted on the very steep slope of Le Léon parcel in Dizy, Philipponnat's 2015 Le Léon displays a solar, complex bouquet of spices, red berries, guava, white fruits, spices and baked bread. Full-bodied, layered and concentrated, it's rich and dense, with a more austere, phenolic mid-palate than La Rémissonne and a long, chalky, beautifully fine-boned and mineral finish accompanied by a delicate gastronomic bitterness. Disgorged with 4.5 grams per liter dosage and produced at only 3,732 bottles, this is one of my favorites in the lineup. It was vinified in barrels with no malolactic fermentation.

94 Points - Vinous Media:

 The 2015 Extra Brut Le Léon shows all the stature, power and intensity of Aÿ. White pepper, mint and chalk give the 2015 its brilliant upper register of aromatics. Readers will have to be patient though, as the 2015 needs time to settle down. Time in the glass allows some of its breadth to come through. The 2015 was fermented in oak, with blocked malolactic fermentation. It’s an absolutely gorgeous Champagne from Philipponnat. Dosage is 4.25 grams per liter. Disgorged: October 2023. (Drink between 2024-2032)