71% Pinot Noir and 29% Chardonnay.
Traditional, partial vinification in wooden barrels (37%) leads to more complexity without premature oxidation. There is no malolactic fermentation, which enables the wine’s natural acidity to compensate the powerful character of the terroir. Extended aging for about 8 years at a constant temperature of 12°C in the House’s historic cellars in Mareuil-sur-Ay. Dosage Extra Brut (4.25 g/litre) gives full expression to the vinosity and minerality of this exceptional vineyard.
Bright gold, with fine, delicate froth mousse. Initially the nose is very expressive and complex, with spicy, toasted notes of chili and pepper. On being aerated it reveals fruit-laden aromas of Morello, Amarena and black cherries. Fresh and mineral-driven. The fruity notes of Morello cherry and spices are apparent on the finish. An intense, well-structured wine with a wonderfully long finish.
Cellar aged for nine years and put on the market only when perfectly mature, it can then be kept for several decades and will continue to develop magnificently in the right conditions.
The 2010 Clos des Goisses, of which there will be only 5,000 bottles, shows a generous and lively bouquet of white pepper, white flowers, apricot and hazelnut… it possesses a creamy, deep and crystalline texture with elegant aromas of white fruits. Opulent, distinguished and delicate at the same time, the 2010 is a scintillating expression of this cuvee.
The 2010 Clos des Goisses shows a distinctly tropical, exotic profile that is unusual in Clos des Goisses. Candied orange peel, passionfruit, burnt sugar, mint and yellow flowers all meld together in the glass. Lush fruit, low-ish acid and soft contours add to the wine’s soft, open-knit feel. Time in the glass brings out more lifted, perfumed notes that add to the wine’s overall appeal. Two-thousand-ten presented significant challenges in the vineyard, including high disease pressure that required quite a bit of sorting. The blend is 55% Pinot Noir and 45% Chardonnay (a bit more Chardonnay than normal), while production is just 5,000 bottles. Clos des Goisses has an extraordinary track record, so ordinarily I would not suggest opening wines young, but the 2010 is a rare exception. That said, it needs 1-2 hours of air to show at its best at this early stage of its life.
95+ points Antonio Galloni vinous.com