Last month Justerinis co-hosted a Champagne masterclass with
Charles Philipponnat of the eponymous champagne house.
The afternoon consisted of a superb lunch by Claude Bosi at
Bibendum with perfectly paired bottles from the cellars of Philipponnat. We
tried four new wines from Phillipponnat including the 2008 "1522",
the 2008 Mareuil-Sur-Ay, the 2007 Clos des Goisses "Juste Rose" and
the 2008 Les Cintres. All brilliant, complex and satisfying wines.
The 1522 is surprisingly fleshy and accessible but there's a
taut minerality that comes through on the finish that reminds you of the
vintage's tension. It was the first time I tried the Mareuil-Sur-Ay but
it took the 1522s style and ramped it up with greater tension and nervosity.
I'll be buying some of this for myself.