Philipponnat ‘1522’ 2018 bottles and the last of the 2012 mags which are “flat-out delicious”

Philipponnat is not a ubiquitous Champagne house. You cannot buy their wines at the supermarket, they are far too boutique in scale for that, but you will undoubtedly see them proffered by the best independent wine merchants, in the cellars of the most discerning Champagne aficionados and gracing the tables of some of the best clubs, bars and restaurants in the world.They are best known for their flagship cuvee, and the walled vineyard it is named after - Clos des Goisses. However, their entire range is star studded, from the NV Reserve Perpetuals all the way up to Clos des Goisses, and everything in between. One supreme cuvee that probably gets less column inches than it deserves is the incredible ‘1522’. We don’t get much, which is why, but were it not for the iconic status of Goisses in the Philipponnat portfolio, 1522 would be an impressive and justified apex to the range.We are delighted to be able to offer the last remaining vestiges of the great 2012 vintage, en magnum, as well as the younger, but no less impressive 2018 in bottles. Both vintages are likely to be considered two of the greatest years of the past three decades.The 2012 mags were recently poured for an event at our Burlington Boutique, where our Bordeaux buyer described it as “eminently classy and easy to drink, with gorgeous apple and peach fruit alongside a beautiful, luscious texture, piqued by nuts and brioche and a gloriously subtle mousse.” The younger 2018 is more primal and has more upfront zip, then blossoms with red apple, plum, nectarines, sweet almond pastry and toast, allied to white flowers and lemon curd on the finish. Jancis Robinson described the 2012 as “really very fine indeed…” and “…as fine and beautifully balanced as many champagnes that cost more.” Vinous critic, Antonio Galloni was much more succinct when he called it “flat-out delicious”.Only ever made in the best vintages and with under 10,000 bottles produced, and far fewer magnums, the 2012 and 2018 1522 are more akin to a grower Champagne than a vintage Grand Marque. Both will deliver some serious wow factor this festive season.