We have a small reload of the 2016 Special Club from Gimonnet, following its initial sell-out. The Gimonnet Family has been in the Village of Cuis since the 17th century, working the vineyards as laborers, sharecroppers, and winegrowers. The Gimonnet house boasts 30 hectares of prized Champagne vineyards, with many family members working at the estate. The Special Club is where the Champagnes from the Gimonnet lineup become very serious. It comprises some of the oldest vines that Gimonnet has. Initially created in 1971, it is sourced from plots that are at least over 40 years old, with two of the plots being particularly old, having been planted in 1911 and 1913. 100% Chardonnay, mainly from Grand Cru fruit, with 60% coming from Cramant, 26% from Chouilly, and 14% from the Premier Cru Cuis. This is consistently one of the best examples of Special Club Champagne, which, as many know, undergoes rigorous testing every vintage before it can be accepted into the Club. Excellent expression, it combines a silky texture and finesse with elegance worthy of the finest Champagnes. For many years, this was the flagship of the House, and while there are a few single village Special Clubs Gimonnet makes now, this is the original and is nothing short of excellent—over four years on the lees with a 5-gram dosage. 2016 is a fantastic vintage for the Special Club from Gimonnet and an excellent buy for the category at this low pricing!

James Suckling 96 points! "This is showing fantastic aromatic complexity, exuding notes of walnut, quince, dried apricot, white cocoa and pastry. It’s creamy, sleek and layered. Very soft and fine bubbles. Long, caressing and fresh finish. Disgorged in 2023. Dosage 4,5g/L. Chardonnay from the Grand Cru villages of Cramant (58%) and Chouilly (27%) with wine from the 1er Cru village of Cuis (15%). Drink or hold."

Jeb Dunnuck 95 points! "Entirely Chardonnay and coming from the villages of Cramant, Chouilly, and Cuis, the shimmering yellow-golden 2016 Champagne Special Club Extra Brut is rounded and attractive with aromas of fresh baked croissant, honeyed green apple, and lemon bars. Approachable and medium-bodied, it fills the palate with an elegant mousse, a soft texture of citrus oil, and a clean, chalky finish. It’s already showing balanced layers and classic charm with a promising ability to enjoy over the coming 12 or more years. Disgorged April 2023, it has the addition of 4 grams per liter dosage."

Wine Advocate 94 points! "Disgorged in summer 2024 with four grams per liter dosage, the 2016 Special Club Cramant Grand Cru hails from seven different lieux-dits. Described by Gimonnet as “nec plus ultra” among his standalone Special Club bottlings, this wine is another success. Wafting from the glass with a deep bouquet of jasmine, Asian pear, citrus fruit, and hazelnut, it’s layered and harmonious, and one can see why Gimonnet thinks the blend (from several plots within the village) is greater than the sum of its parts. Leaner and a tauter than the 2017 rendition, it’s precise and focused, concluding with a long, saline finish. It has every prerequisite to be another long-lived edition of this generally age-worthy cuvée."