Jay Kline

9.4

“Rain drops, drop top…” this bottle of the 2004 Paul Bara “Special Club” was popped and poured and enjoyed over the course of 90 minutes. The color is a light gold with a significant and persistent mousse. Developing, the nose is redolent of fresh, ripe raspberries, strawberries, peaches, apples, lemons, brioche, and marzipan. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ acidity. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long, rich and delicious and there’s an almost oily texture. I thought this was outstanding on its own and worked very well with both the chicken and duck dish at the table. While this is singing right now, I have little doubt this will continue to age with grace for another 10+ years. A decadent champagne that’s definitely, ahem, “bad and Bouzy”. — a year ago

Some Dude

9.1

We had a 20-year old bottle of this wine with a spicy Thai curry butternut squash soup—and it absolutely sang. Against the green curry and heat of the pepper-coconut garnish, the wine held its own and instead of the initial sweetness there was only a clean fruit and limestone feel. Lots of layers and depth to this one. Don’t be afraid to age a decent Riesling: the acidity will let it grow in complexity. — 2 years ago

Louis Martin

9.2

Smooth, semi-sweet, hint of cherry and cinnamon, well-balanced blend, less heavy than a straight Cab, bold enough to pair with a classic steak meal, but light enough to drink on its own. — 2 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

Happy holidays. 🎅🧑‍🎄 ☃️ 🎄 🎁 ❄️

This is delicious. When it first hits your palate, it’s like hey, woah. It is super soft, micro-micro oxygenation. Delicate mousse, some maltiness, red apple cider reduction, pear, lemon meringue, lime pulp, grapefruit, orange peel, tropical melon, ripe pineapple, saline, sea fossils, chalky powder with an edge as it sets, white spice-ginger, white pepper, love the perfect limestone powder, brioche, baguette, some dough & light yeast, orange blossoms, white, spring flowers, racy, crisp acidity, excellent tension, structure, balance with beautiful long finish that lingers 90-120 seconds. Certainly one of the best and different champagne I’ve had in some time.

This cuvée is 100% Chardonnay and comes from the villages of Cramant, Chouilly, and Cuis.

Special Club Champagne must be produced with grapes from outstanding vintages harvested from the estates own vineyards. The cuvée must also be estate bottled and aged. It is the tête de cuvée(the most premier bottle of a grower’s estate) selection for the Champagne house.

There were 12 founding members, three of which currently remain: Pierre Gimonnet, Gaston Chiquet and Paul Bara. New members come and go every year. As of 2021, there are 28 members.

The process to become a Special Club is as follows. The wines must pass two rigorous stages of selection. Before that happens, members gather each February to taste each other’s still wines from the previous vintage. The members vote on whether to declare a vintage year, which would mean that the vintage was outstanding, and worthy enough of a vintage-dated Champagne. The vote must be unanimous. — a year ago

Gee W

10

Stunning. Drank on my own. — 2 years ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.6

2006 vintage. The first vintage for Caroline Frey to be in charge. This shows beautifully now for a wine that was totally underrated by Robert Parker on release.While it may not have the depth and power of the greatest vintages of this iconic wine, this 2006 is a terrific wine in it's own right. Complex nose with spices, black fruit, tobacco and cedar. In the mouth it is beautifully balanced with bright acidity embracing layers of black fruit and spices and velvety tannin. Impressive length too. Abv. 14%. — 2 years ago

Mark Rosse

9.2

The single vineyard here was the Marchiori vineyard that Paul Hobbs made famous under the Viña Covid label. He used the Dolium winery for a few years before he opened his own. Still shows quite well. — a year ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.4

2017 vintage. Cornas Domaine Saint-Pierre, owned by Jaboulet since 1996 apparently ( amazing that they kept buying vineyards during a period where the wines were not up to standard). Today however, Caroline Frey has put the bar high, and we cannot tolerate anything but excellence from her own vineyards. This 2017 surely delivers. Impressive nose with blackberry, cassis and spices combined with an intense minerality. Layers of juicy black fruits and spices in a powerful frame of ripe tannin, with a long mineral finish. Should age beautifully for a few decades. — 2 years ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.4

2013 vintage. The second wine of La Chapelle, that is now named " Maison Bleue", but an excellent wine in its own right. At 9 years old this is absolutely gorgeous with an expressive nose of blackberries, wild flowers, pepper and leather, enhanced by a subtle smokiness. In the mouth it combines power with elegance, with pure fruit, subtle spices, silky tannins and great length. Terrific value if the mythical La Chappelle doesn't fit your budget. Abv. 13,5% — 2 years ago

Joseph Barsky

9.4

2000 Vintage. 14.5% Alcohol. Winemakers Sparky and Sarah Marquis before they started their own Mollydooker brand. Still hanging in with great fruit and bouquet. Lovely and bringing back memories of our vacation in the McLaren Vale area. — 4 years ago