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. — 3 days ago

Chris Zitzman

9.2

The color of the Cantina del Pino “Gallina” Barbaresco, swear it, is “ruby squared”. While initially the nose was surprisingly muted, a quick decant seemed to turn the key to much greater depth. Stewed red fruits lead to a ‘growingly’ remarkable palate of bot power as well as finesse. While the tannins are obvious, evident, and young- it seems with every minute that goes by it relaxes. While doing so, revealing layer after layer of evolution and new experience. Like a lot of other Barbarescos: please be patient. Doing so will only reward you. — 6 months ago

Christian Fischer

9.1

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

Jose Lorenzo

9.5

In it’s prime. — 3 years ago

Willie Carter

9.3

Well they’ve done it again. Who is they? Why Cédric Moussé and the Club Trésors de Champagne of course. Another superstar bottle from them.

A muted pale lemon color with an effusive stream of tiny bubbles. Aromas of honeyed almonds, peaches, and crushed herbs. Fresh cherries and apricots sparkle here. Toasty brioche bread and chalky minerality show after some time with green apples being quite dominant after receiving some air.

The Master of Meunier and here it shows. 100% Pinot Meunier from the village of Cuisles located in the Vallee de la Marne. This Special Club offering is from one plot of land, giving it its name, Les Fortes Terres. Disgorged on 10/21/19 with a dosage of 1 g/l, this is refreshingly stark with beautifully racy acidity.

Full bodied and bold on palate, the complexity and purity of the Meunier shines through. Butterscotch and apples start the party off with more cherries and citrus playing along. A nice long, dry finish. Vibrant and captivating. Moussé and Special Club champagnes never disappoint. — 5 years 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

Cathy Levy

9.3

Lovely Barbaresco from the Piedmonte region. — 2 months ago

Dave Hoffman

9.0

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

Daniel Ludwig

9.0

Has a beautiful bouquet on the nose that prevails throughout its surprisingly long finish. Light bodied and a great alternative to some of the more common Italian varietals. — 3 years ago

Tracy Hall

9.2

Really like this. Absolutely loved the last vintage and this will grow into its own. Still so good with food. WHW — 5 years ago

Tracy Hall

9.6

A m a z I n g. Fine furry tannins straight away so we decanted. One hour later this was singing. The nose was so pretty with cacao powder, faint sweet tarragon, and strawberries. Mouth coating raspberry fruit roll ups, smooth tannins makes this beautiful. TBL — 5 years ago

Thijs Hendriks

9.5

Magnum. 95+ — 14 days 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. — a month ago

Brandon Boesch

9.6

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

Brendan Baker

9.2

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

John Ruvolo

9.3

Fresh leather. Brand new purse. Or baseball mitt. You get the idea. Go and buy it. — 5 years ago

with Lauren

Ebbe Bonde Soerensen

9.0

This is a very seductive Barbera, after I finished Giacomo Conterno, this is a relief of pure pleasure❤️ — 5 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