Photo Courtesy of Gosset

2008 Late Release Champagne
Celebris and Celebris Rose

Time and wine is a concept very familiar at Gosset Champagne. With still wine production roots back to 1584, Gosset is the oldest and longest running wine producer in the Champagne region, with a rich history and unprecedented knowledge of the evolution of the vineyards of Champagne and how the region became the iconic sparkling wine we know and love today.

Much like many of Gosset’s peers, the Champagne producer has experimented with later release Champagne and has developed unique expressions. Last year we featured the 12 Ans de Cave, which was only the second time a multi-vintage blend was aged for an extended period at Gosset. This year we are pleased to offer the 2008 Celebris Extra-Brut and 2008 Celebris Rose Extra-Brut. 

Celebris is the tete de cuvee of Gosset, the Dom Perignon, the Cristal, of the house. 2008 marks only the eighth vintage of Celebris to be released at Gosset since the 1988 inaugural vintage, and only the fourth vintage of Celebris Rose. This makes Celebris one of the rarest vintage expressions in Champagne. Both versions of Celebris today are Chardonnay dominated and produced in very small quantities when it comes to a luxury cuvee. With twelve years of cellaring, Celebris is a combination of the art of blending grand cru and premier cru plots across Champagne then aging the Champagne on the lees prior to a late disgorgement. Post disgorgement an additional 9 months of cellar at Gosset continues before Celebris is permitted to leave the cellars. Thus thirteen to fourteen years later, we now have the 2008 Celebris. 

By now, you are fully aware of the dramatic nature of the 2008 vintage. The vintage of all vintages of Champagne. The most beloved, lauded and sought after vintage we have ever seen in Champagne. That’s right, 2008 is an epic Champagne Vintage and Gosset Celebris not only lives up to the expectations of the vintage but provides one of the first insights into extended aged 2008 Champagne much like the 2008 Vintage Krug.

However, there is more to Gosset than Celebris and the 2015 Grand Millesime is an absolute joy to drink right now. A touch more Pinot Noir than Chardonnay, the 2015 Grand Millesime is only the third release of this new cuvee. Here the wine is built upon a salty mineral edge that is complemented by rich opulent citrus components that retains a very delicate texture and prolonged length. 

Seeing as tonight is the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting, it put us in the holiday cheer mood and celebratory mode. Here is to a wonderful December and close to the year.

Happy Holidays and remember we have all your Champagne, wine and spirits cheer needs.

Cheers,
Jeremy