Willie Carter

9.3

These Pierre Gimonnet champagnes are always of the highest quality from the Côte des Blancs and with terrific prices. An original member of the Club Trésors de Champagne, the Special Club, and an easy buy, each and every time.

The color of starlight on a cloudless night. A surplus of tiny bubbles and persistent perlage throughout. A very clean and focused nose showcasing lemon peel, pears, and sea salt. Vanilla custard and pronounced smoke. Hazelnuts and freshly baked dough with a nice dose of spice. Apples of the green and red varieties.

Some love has to be shown to the labels. Classy metal front label and an ultra informative back label. Pure Chardonnay from the Grand Crus of Cramant (59%) and Chouilly (25%) with the rest coming from the Premier Cru terroir of Cuis. The acidity here is outrageous and highly focused, really beautiful. Very pure and creamy. Disgorged in December of 2019 with an Extra Brut dosage of 4 g/l.

Everything carries over to the palate. A very complex and harmonious champagne. Fresh and bold with more apples and spice. Strong minerality and yeast here. Long, enduring finish. This definitely lives up to the standards of Gimonnet and the Special Club. Don’t sleep on these 14’s, they’re alive and kicking. — 2 years ago

Fredybeans

9.7

À l aveugle
Robe rubis foncée à noire
Nez frais délicat de Pinto noir avec des note d orange sanguine avec l aération
Bouche précise fraîche dynamique avec une finale ultra élégante et florale
J aurai opté pour un grand crus de vosne type saint vivant mais pas pour un grand cru de gevrey car le vin était peu épicé 👍👍👍👍 — 5 years ago

with picolator and El

Christine Havens

9.2

More Hungarian splendor—the 2013 Szent Tamás Nyulászó boasts a wonderful inner luminescence. Quietly elegant notes of bosc pear, almond, orange marmalade, and quince are the hallmark of this single vineyard designate. Nyulászó is one of Tokaj's grand crus, and the vines are seated in brick-hued volcanic soils rich in zeolite, at the crest of the South-Zemplén Mountains. Aging in Hungarian oak has gifted this blend of Furmint and Hárslevelű with softly glowing transparency and texture. Minerality shines through. 13.0% ABV 3.1 g/l RS | Sample — 8 years ago

Blake Walker

9.1

Wonderful grower champagne. 100% Chardonnay Grand Crus Les Mesnil Sur Oger. 5 g/l Dosage. Disgorged 5/14/20. 12% ABV. Scale wine group importer. — 3 years ago

Willie Carter

9.0

A pale gold hue leads to some nice effervescence and tons of small bubbles initially. A fine mousse and highly aromatic on the nose with an abundance of wet stone minerality and fresh pears. The fruit is ripe and expressive with citrus aromas being dominant with the more autolytic notes serving as backup. After some time and air, that nice yeast and floral aspects come to the fore in the form of delicate little white flowers.

100% Chardonnay with 7 g/l that only adds a little softness to the acidity of the champagne. With 30% of the blend coming from reserve wines there is a distinct elegance and refinement happening here. The fruit comes from Grand and Premier Crus from Avize and Cramant.

This is most certainly a pop and pour champagne, it’s ready to go. A silky mouthfeel with crisp acidity which leads to crisp fruit on the palate. Baked apple pie, brioche buns, and mandarin oranges shine. Decidedly lush and fun. Fruity, elegant, and versatile. — 3 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Still the best value in NV Chardonnay Grand Cru Champagne. So delicious! If you haven’t had it, K&L just got in another shipment of Launois. They have in stock two of Grand Crus and 08 Special Club. Get it in the next coupe or three days before it’s gone. You’ll thank me when you have it. — 7 years ago

Francis Huicq

9.3

3 Grand Crus and 2 1ers Crus. 2010 as base vintage and reserve wines account for 33% of the blend. 61% CH - 18% PN - 21% PM. 2.5 g/L, disgorged in 2015. Reserve wines stored accordinf to Solera. An explosive, rich and robust Champagne. Food is more than welcome here. Patience required as all is here to guarantee a bright evolution. Reliable NV cuvee. — 9 years ago

Willie Carter

8.9

An enchanting pale rose petal pink color in the glass. A fine perlage with plenty of small bubbles. A classic rosé nose with nice red fruits and a floral character. Black cherry dominate with cherry blossoms and wild strawberries. Fresh herbal aromas are underlying with hot buttered toast.

70/30 CH/PN from Grand Crus in Louvois, Bouzy, Avize, Cramant, and Chouilly, this has an impressive pedigree. Non vintage but a blend of a single year, this can withstand more time being left alone for a few years but it oh so pleasant right now. As much as I love the no or low dose champagnes, the 7 g/l is more than welcome here. Bright acid throughout.

There’s a definite intensity to the fruit on the palate. More of those nice red fruits occupy most of the attention here with a touch of chalky minerality. That familiar yeast makes a quick appearance backing up the herbs and spice. Immensely enjoyable. — 3 years ago

Fredybeans

9.4

Robe claire
Nez anis miel coquille d huître buis
Bouche miellée ample l anis et la coquille d huître sont là
Manque en finale la profondeur d un grand crus mais belle bouteille — 4 years ago

with Pico and El

Fredybeans

9.3

Rubis
Nez élégant de myrtille de fruit rouge petites épices douce. Tres élégant . La bouche au début dense s affine et devient ultra sensuelle et delicate
D un chambolle je reviens vers un crus de vosne. Manque un peu de densité pour un richebourg tel que je l imagine
Superbe maîtrise de l élevage — 7 years ago

with El and Ben