Clos des Goisses, Brut, 2008

We love the 2008 vintage in Champagne. Capricious at first, the season blossomed in September when an extended period of sun-kissed days and cool nights arrived, giving the crisp grapes the perfect end of season boost. The resulting harvest provided fruit with ripe clear profiles and exceptional acidity; the ideal material for making very fine Champagne. The combination of the 2008 growing season and the magical Clos des Goisses vineyard has produced an utterly spectacular result. Tasting the 2008 we found ourselves trying to remember a more impressive young Champagne release from any grower. The power is there, particularly evident on the exceptionally long finish. But what impressed most was the incredible clarity of aromas, the contrasting structural qualities of delicacy and strength, and the kaleidoscopic transparency of flavours that are somehow etched into the core of the wine. If anyone was wondering about the critics’ hype surrounding the vintage, Clos des Goisses 2008 would be a fine way to prove that point.