Pierre Gimonnet et Fils, 'Spécial Club' Cramant Grand Cru, Champagne, France, 2014

Overview of the Wine
The story of Champagne Gimonnet is, in fact, “Pierre Gimonnet et Fils... et PetitsFils”, as the grandsons of the founder, brothers Olivier and Didier Gimonnet are the custodians of this family House in the Côte des Blancs. The Gimonnet family can be traced back to 1750 growing vines around the village of Cuis, south of Epernay, but it was between the wars that Pierre Gimonnet set up the winery that allowed him to become a grower-producer, specialising in Blanc de Blancs. Pierre Gimonnet was succeeded by his son Michel, whom his sons credit with a hard-working modesty but an obsession with quality of winemaking and a passion for the vines he spent his life walking and working between.

Olivier and Didier worked with their father for a decade until his retirement in 1996 (he died in 2008), and have continued, and improved on, his work for over 20 years.

Michel’s understanding of terroir led him to acquire parcels beyond Cuis and into neighbouring Cramant and Chouilly. His sons have continued this principle, expanding into Oger in 2005 and as far south as Vertus in 2008. The House now has 40 separate parcels across 28 hectares – 16ha of Premier Cru and 12ha of Grand Cru – all in the Côte des Blancs. The one geographical limit they have set is the bounds of the Côte des Blancs because it is determined to explore the variety of expressions of Chardonnay and achieve excellence in its different characteristics.

Sustainable.

Grape / Blend
100% Chardonnay

Origin
Champagne, France

Winemaker's Tasting Notes
Very fresh with bundles of lemon and lime and beautiful chalky character. The low dosage makes it extra brut but that doesn’t come across as it has so much fruit and ripeness mixed with lees character that builds up to some light custard layering. This feels young and vibrant with an exciting future. This is a good example showing how good one grape variety can be in a region.

95 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate 
The 2014 Brut Special Club Cramant Grand Cru derives from 14 parcels in nine different lieux-dits (above all Le Bateau), and Gimonnet feels that it's the most successful of his stand-alone single-village bottlings. Unfurling in the glass with aromas of peach, white flowers, fresh pastry and brioche, it's full-bodied, layered and textural, with a concentrated and multidimensional core, incisive acids and a long, chalky finish.

95 Points - Vinous
The 2014 Brut Spécial Club Cramant Grand Cru is another super-impressive wine in this range. It emerges from the Bateau, Gromonts, Buissons, Bauves, Bionnes, Champ du Prévôt and Briquettes lieux-dits. Orange confit, tangerine oil, white flowers, graphite and lightly tropical fruit infuse the Cramant with tremendous complexity to match its powerful personality. The Cramant is a rich, heady Champagne with a feeling of structure that leans towards the realm of Pinot. I loved it. Dosage is 4 grams per liter.

Product size: 750ml