A finely textured Chardonnay, this is ripe and crisp with acidity, minerality and hints of nuttiness from bottle age. From the Côte des Blancs, the fruit in this Champagne has given a pure line of acidity and total textured freshness.

Based on the 2016 vintage and disgorged in September 2019, the new release of Gosset's NV Brut Grand Blanc de Blancs (which will arrive in the US later this year) unwinds in the glass with notes of citrus oil, warm biscuits, green apple and white flowers. Medium to full-bodied, deep and tightly wound, it's racy and incisive, with a bright spine of acidity, chalky structure and a long, penetrating finish. As ever, this cuvée emphasizes Chardonnay from the Montagne de Reims.

Gosset is Champagne's oldest producer, founded in the 16th century, and this blanc de blancs takes advantage of its well-established connections by sourcing Chardonnay from 15 different villages. The base wines are aged on lees after the primary fermentation but malolactic fermentation is blocked in order to retain the house's characteristic zinginess. The result is prickly, saline, lemony and tight, with some mouth-puckering apple, citrus and herb flavours. Light and focused, there's a touch of nuttiness on the finish....

Chardonnay from the Côte des Blancs gives this Champagne its typical mineral edge that partners with open apple fruits and crisp acidity. The wine perfectly marries fruit and texture. Drink now.