October 4, 2024
Rare Ay Grand Cru Champagne from Philipponnat | Le Leon 2014
Philipponnat Le Léon Grand Cru Aÿ is a rare and exceptional cuvée produced from a singular Grand Cru vineyard in Aÿ, one of Champagne's most historic and prestigious wine regions. The vineyard, Le Léon, is a unique plot that has been cultivated by the Philipponnat family for generations, known for producing grapes with remarkable depth and character.
The terroir of Le Léon is exceptional, benefiting from its south-facing exposure and chalky soils. This unique combination of factors allows the grapes to ripen fully while retaining the freshness and mineral structure that is key to Champagne. Aÿ is famous for its Pinot Noir, and the Le Léon vineyard showcases the best qualities of this grape, producing wines that are powerful yet elegant, with a depth of flavour that reflects the vineyard's heritage.
At just 2.5 hectares, Le Léon Grand Cru Aÿ is extremely limited in production. The rarity of this cuvée adds to its allure. The wine itself is known for its rich, full-bodied profile, combining intense fruit notes with a complex minerality and long finish. It’s a true reflection of its terroir, offering a drinking experience that’s both luxurious and deeply tied to its roots.
With 97 points from the Wine Advocate, the Le Leon 2014 outscored highly esteemed vintages of Clos de Goisse such as 2008 (96+ points) and 2002 (96 points).
We only got a small number of bottles as part of our allocation, so this is extremely limited. First come, first served.
Philipponnat Le Leon Grand Cru Ay 2014
97 Points | Wine Advocate, Yohan Castaing
From grapes picked in the Le Leon area, a single-plot vineyard covering 2.5 hectares, the 2014 Le Léon extra brut from Philipponnat has a gorgeous, fresh bouquet with aromas of white pepper, spring flowers, red berries, pear, white fruits and menthol intertwined with vanilla and spice notes. Medium to full-bodied, incisive and pure, it’s crystalline with a delicate, beautifully fine-boned and intensely mineral palate that concludes with a penetrating, mouthwatering, very long finish. This 100% Pinot Noir could see its 20th anniversary in fine form.