Coteaux Champenois La Tonelle Paul Gosset 2023

Paul Gosset, internationally recognised as the oldest Champagne house, was founded by Jean Gosset in 1584. Successive generations of the Gosset family have managed the estate, spanning more than 400 years of history. In 1993, the Renault & Cointreau group acquired the estate, which is now managed by Jean-Pierre Cointreau. His ambition is to preserve the unique balance between land and people. He therefore implements agroforestry on the 150 hectares of Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir vines. Well aware of the current environmental concerns and with a view to protecting biodiversity, he cultivates his vines with the utmost respect for the land. In the winery, the spirit is the same and vinification is low interventionist. It is in this serene context that the estate produces authentic and fruity vintages.

La Tonnelle is crafted from 90% Pinot Noir and 10% Chardonnay, sourced from distinctive vineyard plots nestled within the commune of Aÿ. The soil is composed of outcropping chalk interspersed with red clay on the surface, an ideal configuration that brings freshness, tension, and tannic structure to the grapes. The fruit is harvested by hand at perfect ripeness, preserving the integrity of the berries and allowing for precise vinification. In the winery, the grapes undergo traditional low-intervention vinification, in a spirit that remains artisanal and respectful of the living environment.
On tasting, La Tonnelle reveals a brilliant hue, elevated by garnet glints. The nose opens with a radiant medley of ripe red fruit, lifted by subtle floral notes and a delicate spicy touch reminiscent of cinnamon and dried peony. On the palate, the attack is lively and chiselled, carried by a fine mineral tension that leads to a long, saline and juicy finish, a hallmark of Aÿ’s chalky soils.