Philippe Gonet Champagne – Signature and Belemnita at Alfavin
Key Facts at a Glance
Philippe Gonet owns 20 hectares of vineyards in Le Mesnil, Vertus, Oger, and Montgueux. The estate maintains a large stock of reserve wines and follows a classic, subtly oxidative style with nutty, complex aromas. In recent years, the style has been modernised: the Signature Blanc de Blancs is a Grand Cru Champagne that, after a few years of cellaring, develops a fine harmony of fruity and toasted notes. The Roi Soleil combines the rich fruit of ripe grapes with subtle oak toast. The vintage Champagne can be outstanding, though it sometimes falls short of expectations. The Belemnita is the only true star among the Philippe Gonet Champagnes.
The Vineyards
With 20 hectares, Philippe Gonet is a sizeable estate. Four and a half hectares are located in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, with the rest mainly in Vertus and Oger. The vineyards are cultivated conventionally, but sprays and fertilisers are used sparingly according to the Haute Valeur Environnementale guidelines. The vineyards in the Grand Cru sites are tended by hand.
Philippe Gonet Cuvées at Alfavin
At Alfavin, you can currently purchase two Blanc de Blancs Champagnes from Philippe Gonet:
Signature
The Signature is made from Chardonnays sourced from the Côte des Blancs and Montgueux. It is fermented in stainless steel tanks, where it also undergoes malolactic fermentation. It is dosed at 6 g/l and spends two to three years ageing on the lees. The proportion of reserve wines is around 30%.
Belemnita
The Belemnita comes from very old vines in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger. The first parcel, Mont-Joly, was planted in 1960, and the second, Les Hauts-Jardins, as early as 1929. Yields are extremely low, and only around 2,500 bottles are produced. Fermentation takes place in tanks with malolactic fermentation. Belemnita combines mineral intensity with great elegance. It will not produce an immediate “wow” effect but remains aromatically discreet and subtle. However, it has the potential to evolve beautifully over the next 15 years, developing a silky richness and aromatic depth.
The History of the Estate
The Gonet family has been growing grapes in Champagne for seven generations. The family is widely branched and, for example, related to Michel Gonet in Avize. In 1910, Charles Gonet founded his own estate in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger.
Charles was a talented winemaker who quickly gained success with a growing clientele. In the 1950s, his son—also named Charles after his father—achieved recognition in the Parisian gastronomic scene and counted Lucas Carton among his friends. In 1971, his son Philippe joined the estate. An agricultural engineer and oenologist, he rebranded the business in 1972 as Champagne Philippe Gonet. Under Philippe’s guidance, the estate became a respected producer of Blanc de Blancs Champagnes.
Philippe Gonet passed away unexpectedly in 1990. Pierre and Chantal Gonet were only 22 and 23 years old when they took over the estate.
