CHAMPAGNE PHILIPPONNAT 'Le Leon' Ay Grand Cru Extra Brut 2014

'A wine crafted exclusively from Pinot Noir grapes from the historic Le Léon plot.'

Le Léon is one of a trio of single-plot cuvées. Apvril le Philipponnat owned vines at the Le Léon vineyard, between Ay and Dizy, from 1522. Along with Clos des Goisses, this plot is considered the nucleus of Philipponnat’s land.

• Wine Region: Champagne - France
• Terroir:from the only plot at Le Léon in Ay. First press juice of exclusively Grand Cru grapes from the heart of the Champagne wine-growing area.
• Grape: 100% Pinot Noir
  

VINIFICATION
Vinified using traditional methods to avoid premature oxidation. All the wines
are barrel-fermented. « Extra-brut » dosage (4.25 g/litre) to maintain a balance between freshness and vinosity without masking the wine’s character and purity.

AGING
Aged for at least seven years in the House’s cellars at a constant temperature of 12°C to develop maximum complexity and to highlight the wine’s secondary and tertiary aromas, which are the hallmark of extended aging on lees.

Tasting notes:
TO THE EYE -Bright gold in colour. Fine, creamy bubbles forming a persistent ring.
WHIT THE NOSE -Open and fruit-driven, with notes of black fruits, of blueberries and blackberries. With aeration, notes reminiscent of gingerbread and aromas of cinnamon and star anise emerge, leading into to a finish with hints of vanilla.
WITH THE MOUTH -Good structure, with a generous, creamy attack. Presents notes of blackberry and redcurrant. The finish is long, intense and wonderfully mineral, typical of the Ay terroir.