Pierre Gimonnet & Fils, "Special Club," Blanc de Blancs, 2015

Gimonnet’s 2014 Brut Special Club is made predominantly from old vines in Cramant, Oger and Cuis. The dosage unleashes the aromatics and fruit. Pears, pastry, lemon oil, almonds and exotic flowers all meld together beautifully. The 2014 Special Club remains tightly wound and vibrant.

The Club Trésors comprises 28 artisan wine makers, selected from the finest areas of the Champagne region, each one recognized for the quality of their work. The Club Trésors is the only organisation in Champagne to select its members according to a set of unrelenting quality standards. The aim of this group is to uphold three principles – authenticity, originality and meticulousness – and to increase knowledge of their very best Champagnes through the “Special Club” cuvées. 

• Each wine maker must make their champagnes entirely in his, or her, own premises and cellars. Furthermore the champagne must be made exclusively from grapes harvested in his, or her, own vineyards.
• Each wine maker is devoted to his work and passionately protects the quality and the unique character of his own terroir.
• The jury of oenologists and wine professionals who select the champagnes, demand irreproachable quality as regards both the work in the vineyard and the wines.
• Each champagne is subject to two blind tastings (once at the still wine stage before bottling and again after 3 years ageing in bottle) by a panel of passionate and distinguished oenologists and wine makers.
• A Special Club champagne may only be made in outstanding vintage years.
• Only wine makers who have successfully passed these two tests are deemed worthy of putting their chosen champagne in the unique ‘Special Club’ bottle which may not be used by anyone except the members of the Club Trésors.

• Obtaining this ‘Holy Grail’ is a true accolade and one that requires daily dedication and application by the wine maker. Only in this way does this select group guarantee Champagne lovers the exceptional quality and unique artisan character of their Champagnes.