Shay A

9.5

94-95

A grower champagne I always enjoy, but I’ve not had their special club offering with this much age before. I’ve been missing out! A stunner!

54% Cramant, 31% Chouilly (both Grand Crus), with 15% Cuis (Premier Cru); all old vines. Disgorged July 2012; 6g/l dosage

This may be an example of hitting lightening in a bottle, but this caught me (and others I was with) totally off-guard at how youthful it was…and more importantly, how unbelievably good it was. Channeling an oxidative flair at this point in its evolution, this scratched the itch for creamy, powerful, golden champagne. Autolysis on full display (in the best way) with lemon scone, honey roasted cashews, spiced pears aromatically. Honeyed graham crackers, lemon cream, Biscotti cookie, kiss of ginger and plenty of chalky limestone grit toward the finish (but the sweet autolysis lengthens it out beautifully). For me, this tasted like this was the exact right day to catch this wine at peak.

I wish I had a case of these. — 6 days ago

Anil Saxena

9.1

Excellently succulent. Great mix of dry and subtly fruity. Like dried fruit set in butter. — 2 months ago

Brandon Boesch

9.6

This was insanely good. So well balanced. Had with Thai food. — 3 months ago

michael pandolfo

9.0

Delicious. Drink now. — 6 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Consistency is their middle name.

This has just started to shift from fresh to aging.

Bruised red apple/pear, lemon, lime zest, tropical melons, drier stone fruits, whipped cream, ginger, brioche, graham cracker, very light caramel/butterscotch notes, grey volcanics, limestone marl, sea fossils, gritty chalk, white & yellow flowers with greens, excellent lively acidity and a well balanced-knitted, elegant & smartly polished finish that lasts near two-minutes. — 8 months ago

aik

9.0

it has high alcohol, but i feel cool nuance, because it has sharp acidiy and lifted aromas. Well balanced and enjoyable classic Syrah beauty. — 5 years ago

Sarah Oettel

9.3

Added at Bar Chimera. — a day ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The 2012 Special Club pours a straw color with a persistent mousse. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of raspberry, apple, strawberry, peach, lemon curd, toasted brioche, almond, and minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. Delicious. Drink now through 2042. Disgorged October of 2022. — a month ago

John Howard

Harvest production at Hirsch and Cobb Wineries

9.3

One of the best 1er champs for the $. Best to get off the wagon too. — 2 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.2

Atherton Wine Imports 2026 tasting at République, Los Angeles. 2022 vintage. Better, longer finish than the 2021 version. Dark plum and cassis ruling the roost here. 3.18.26. — 4 months ago

Hiroshi Tominaga

8.9

Pleasant drinking. — 6 months ago

Ed Chin

9.2

Bruised apples and bread that was just fabulously balanced by the acidity. I would have scored higher if the bubbles were more present. — 2 years ago

Brendan Baker

9.2

Green apple and pear, salted lemon, baguette, med acid ✨ — 3 years ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of several hours. The 1998 pours a deep garnet/purple with an opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with positively charming notes of plum, brambles, grilled Poblano pepper, pipe tobacco, dried mixed flowers, a mix of organic and inorganic earth, fine wood and baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and savory. This is about as traditional as it gets and was simply brilliant tonight. Squarely in the zone. Drink now through 2038+. — a month ago

Thijs Hendriks

9.5

Magnum. 95+ — 16 days ago

David Koenen

9.4

Gingerbread, cigar box, shoe polish, red bell pepper, fireplace, tobacco leaf, wet earth. Balanced and distinguished. A very chic and classic glass. Beautiful in it’s transition from summer notes to autumn. Drink now. — 2 months ago

Peter Heyboer

9.0

Wish I could decant this. Oak on the nose, but it hints at the fruit and tobacco/chocolate you're about to taste. Palate has noticeable but not assertive tannins and blends really nicely with the aforementioned flavors. Paired well with dinner but this feels like a pre-dinner sipper. Would buy again. — 5 months ago

with Matthew, Ethan and 2 others

Dave Hoffman

9.0

40% Pinot Noir; 40% Gamay; 10% Chardonnay — 7 months ago

Christian Fischer

9.1

Very young. Still somewhat unstructured and tannins that need to mellow. But good potential. — 2 years ago

Manj Gunawardane

9.1

Rich but not over the top and not too revealing on the nose or palate. Tasty nonetheless. Maybe a little maturity to settle in. — 5 years ago