Gosset Champagne Grand Blanc de Blancs / NV / 1.5L

Description:

The Gosset Grand Blanc de Blancs NV is a taut, chalky Champagne made entirely from Chardonnay, drawn from vineyards across the Côte des Blancs and beyond and released by the Épernay-based house in magnum. It trades opulence for tension, with citrus and pastry weight held together by a firm line of acidity.

Lemon curd, white peach and green apple lead the aromatics, with hawthorn blossom and a lick of toasted brioche from the extended time on lees. Gosset blocks malolactic fermentation on this cuvée, and it shows: the fruit stays bright and unbuttered, closer to orchard fruit than cream.

Fine, persistent bubbles carry a palate that is medium-bodied and precise rather than broad. A brut dosage of around six grams keeps the wine dry without stripping it, and the finish runs long on grapefruit pith, almond and a saline, chalky dryness that makes you reach for the next mouthful.

Oysters and freshly shucked scallops are the obvious call, but the magnum format suits a table rather than a pair — serve it with a whole roast chicken, salt and pepper squid, or a platter of prawns and hard cheeses for a long lunch. The larger bottle also ages more slowly than a 750mL, so there is no rush.

Drinking beautifully now and worth holding through the next six to eight years, where the citrus edges towards nougat and toast.