Gosset Celebris Extra Brut 2008

Jolie robe or clair. Nez intense aux tonalités grillées, pâtissières, pleines de délicatesse. En bouche une attaque ample, intense, soyeuse. Des qualités qui se prolongent longuement jusqu'en finale dans un registre grillé et torréfié persistant. 

The nose of the golden wine immediately radiates creaminess, a soft richness that is reminiscent of freshly baked apricot and almond tart and red apple flesh, laced with fine, heady notions of freshly zested Tarocco orange peel. The palate is as creamy as the nose suggests, yet has the poise and the beautiful, salty depth of 2008. A lovely phenolic edge reminds of bitter almond and apple pip, this sits well with the sinuous, toned and lightly salty richness, the ultra-fine mousse and that lovely streak of ripe lemon zest. Gorgeous.

Gosset's just-released 2008 Extra-Brut Celebris is showing beautifully out of the gates, offering up sweet aromas of citrus oil, dried white flowers, warm biscuits and nougat, with hints of the dried fruits to come. Medium to full-bodied, racy and layered, with a firm core of fruit that's girdled by tangy acids and a long, penetrating finish, the house's typically tensile style is married with real flesh and weight.

The 2008 Champagne Celebris Extra Brut is 54% Chardonnay and the remainder Pinot Noir, aged for over 9 years in cellar on its lees with 4.8 g/l dosage. It is rounded with ripe aromas of orange oil, almond pastry, and peach and is seamless to the palate with modest acidity, generous orchard fruit, and a richness and umami that lifts off the palate with delicate salinity. Drink this benchmark wine in the range now or over the next 10-15 years.

Such a concise and laser-focused wine with tight layers of crushed stones, praline, frangipani flowers, green apples, lemons, hazelnuts, pastries and salted almonds. Very tight bubbles here. So clear and structured, with a long and mineral finish. Still reserved. 54% chardonnay and 46% pinot noir. 4.8g/L dosage. Drink or hold.