Gosset Grande Reserve N.V.

The latest rendition of Gosset's NV Grande Réserve Brut is based on the 2014 vintage and was disgorged in February 2018. Aromas of smoky pear, warm biscuits, citrus and wet stones preface a medium to full-bodied, racy but powerful wine with incisive acids, a tight-knit and chalky core and a long, saline finish. Like its rosé counterpart, it's very typical of the house style.

(43% chardonnay, 42% pinot noir, 15% pinot meunier). A discreet, even restrained nose is comprised by notes of petrol, yeast, Meyer lemon, apple and a lovely floral hint. The rounded, delicious and caressing flavors are shaped by a relatively soft (though not flabby) mousse before culminating in a clean, vibrant and moderately dry finale. I like the delivery though this could use just a bit more complexity which could develop if this was given a few more years of cellar time. 91/2020+

The citrus-colored NV Grande Réserve Brut—a blend of Chardonnay (45%), Pinot Noir (45%) and Pinot Meunier (10%)—shows an intense, ripe and aromatic yet vinous bouquet with white and delicate red fruit, floral, brioche and nutty expressions. Full-bodied, dry and very fresh, this is a firm, complex, finessed, fruity, round and stimulating cuvée with a good, tight and slightly salty finish. An excellent aperitif and wine for starters. Tasted from lot L7424113, August 2018.

(43% chardonnay, 42% pinot noir, 15% pinot meunier). The elegant, pure and overtly yeasty nose retains a lovely sense of freshness on the pear, apple and vaguely citrus-inflected aromas. The sense of refinement continues onto the cool and restrained yet solidly complex middle weight flavors where the finish really fans out on the slightly creamy finish. As the description suggests this is a wine of textural contrasts as the mid-palate is almost discreet yet there is ample volume and richness on the moderately dry finish. The supporting mousse is neither firm nor soft and this should appeal to a variety of preferences. Drink now.