Gosset - Grand Millesime 2000

Chardonnay (56%) Pinot Noir (44%)

Grand Millesime 2000 is a blend of tweleve villages including Avize, Cramant, Ay, Ambonnay and Bouzy.

Colour and Appearance: Clear, luminous pale gold with flashes of green and amber. Creamy, frothy mousse and a constant stream of supremely fine, whirling bubbles.

Nose: Delicate, elegant and complex, with richly scented fruit such as apricots, peaches and pears, and elegant fresh jasmine and white lilac flower scents. On swirling a smattering of citrussy, honeyed notes reminiscent of freshly squeezed pink grapefruit and zest of candied citron fruit bring a hint of refreshment swathed in the sweet smells of baking: sponge cake and fresh butter. This cuvee has the elegance of a Champagne that is already showing its pedigree through luxuriant, deeply sensual spicy notes. Cinnamon, vanilla, aniseed and sweet liquorice mingle and complement one other.

Palate: Full-bodied, this pleasant, finely honed Champagne has liveliness and vinosity, with flavours echoing the aromatics. The judicious blend of grapes from different vineyards is revealed by the lush Pinot fruit flavours, backed by a rounded, velvety structure with attractive but subtle hints of sweet almond and wild sloes liqueurs. Chardonnay tempers the fruity fleshiness, contributing just the right amount of freshness characterised by a cakey, spicy flavours: lemon buns and fruit cake, cinnamon and soft liquorice, and a hint of violet. The delicate sparkle contributes a gentle softness and reveals the underlying fresh acidity, which contributes to the overall balance. Enjoyable, long and pleasantly persistent on the finish, with spice, dried fruit and Tahitian vanilla notes. The sweet, mature flavours of preserved fruit and acacia honey are just beginning to show. Ready for drinking.

A marvellous match for French or Asian cuisine, this wine complements almost any kind of dish, savoury and sweet, with the obvious exception of those with excessive acidity or bitterness. Opt for a well-balanced dish that will complement but not mask the flavour of the wine: scallops or snails, carpaccio of tuna or pigeon stew; or caramelized pears.