Champagne Gosset - Brut Grand Millésime 2012

Bettane & Desseauve

About the wine:

A beautiful golden hue, where the prominent Chardonnays in the blend meld perfectly with the equally outstanding Pinot Noirs. The aromas are rich and creamy, featuring dried flowers and yellow to white stone fruits cooked into a delicate jam. The ripe notes of peanuts and caramelized butter are perfectly balanced with the fresh, peppery, and minty core. Very nice, silky texture on the palate with lovely structure and a touch of bitterness. The notes of mushrooms cooked in butter are savory, and the finish carries the savory flavors remarkably well. A great wine.

About the estate:

Gosset remains a small house in the world of Champagne giants, selling an average of one million bottles annually. At the helm of the technical team is a dynamic duo—Odilon de Varine and Gabrielle Malagu—crafting a range that stays true to its core principles: freshness, liveliness, and minerality. To stay the course despite recent climate changes and the grapes’ increased ripeness, the house now favors Chardonnay in its blends, with a reduced proportion of Pinot Noir to maintain the consistent final flavor. Thanks to its consistency and assertive style, the range—which offers numerous cuvées, including some made from long-aged wines—deserved to be rewarded with an additional star. The winery has reached the pinnacle of our rankings.

Guide Hachette des vins

About the wine:

The 2012 vintage has a reputation for being excellent but rather limited in volume. Yet this Grand Millésime is anything but exclusive. It is a blend of predominantly Chardonnay (67%) from exceptional origins (the Côte des Blancs and renowned terroirs of the Montagne de Reims) and Pinot Noir from Grand Cru vineyards. After five years of aging, it delights with a subtle, mineral, and fresh nose of white fruit, butter, and pastries, followed by a long, refined, complex, and lively palate, enhanced on the finish by a touch of tart apricot and a noble bitterness.

About the estate:

“The oldest house in Champagne” was founded in 1584, before the region’s wine became sparkling, by Pierre Gosset, alderman of Aÿ and vineyard owner. At the time, the wines from this town, often red, rivaled those of Beaune at court. Thirteen generations have succeeded Pierre Gosset. Now based in Épernay, the company has been part of the Renaud-Cointreau group since 1993. Gosset champagnes do not undergo malolactic fermentation. In 2016, Odilon de Varine, deputy director and oenologist, succeeded Jean-Pierre Mareigner. He was joined the following year by Gabrielle Malagu, to whom he entrusted joint responsibility for the cellar at the end of 2022.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the estate:

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the wine:

A beautiful color; the nose is fully ripe, with distinct stone fruit notes and a clear expression of the Pinot character. The ripeness does not detract from the freshness of the aromas. The wine is elegant and full-bodied. Lively, with a bubbly, spirited character. A great wine that still has plenty of youthfulness.

About the estate:

The oldest Champagne house, founded in 1584, has been owned by the Renaud-Cointreau Group since 1994. Now under the leadership of Odilon de Varine and Gabrielle Bouby-Malagu in the cellar, it is distinguished by its consistent production of wines that are intense and powerful, yet characterized by a beautiful tension that balances them and allows for harmonious aging.

James Suckling

About the wine:

This wine offers spicy aromas of berries and biscuit, with hints of toasted hazelnut and brioche. Blackberry tart. On the palate, it has a smooth, elegant, and velvety texture. Finely crafted with a dry finish.