Hi-Time's 12 Champagnes of Christmas
One of Didier Gimonnet's Champagnes always seems to find a place on our best of the year list-- and for good reason. Gimonnet's wines are built on the strength of the terroir that he and his brother Olivier have expanded in the heart of the Côte des Blancs. His outstanding 2016 Spécial Club is based on Cramant Grand Cru and includes their 100+-year-old vines in the lieux-dits of 'Le Fond du Bateau,' and 'Buissons.'
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."
WINE SPECTATOR 93 POINTS - "Compact and well-integrated, this minerally Champagne shows racy acidity and intensity, with focus to the notes of crunchy green pear, preserved lemon, apple blossoms and blanched almond. Fine and creamy on the palate, but with a zesty energy as this expands through the finish. Disgorged April 2023. Drink now through 2036. 250 cases imported."
WINE ADVOCATE 93 POINTS - "Derived from old-vine parcels scattered around Cramant, Chouilly and Cuis, Gimonnet’s 2016 Special Club Grands Terroirs de Chardonnay bursts from the glass with aromas of apple, lemon zest, hazelnut and white flowers. Medium to full-bodied and enveloping yet bright, it is less taut than the Chouilly Special Club but a bit more ample than the Cramant Special Club standalone bottling. Full-bodied and concentrated and underpinned by vibrant acidity, it is an admirably consistent and age-worthy cuvée that always begins to show its plenitude with a few extra years post disgorgement. Incorporating fruit from vines planted in 1911 and 1913, plots that Gimonnet works with horses, I would be very curious to try a Champagne produced solely from these ancient vines. It was disgorged in June 2024 with four grams per liter dosage."
Winemaker Notes - This cuvée is the result of a very careful job at all stages of elaboration. The blending, made exclusively with Chardonnay from the Côte des Blancs, is a delicate blend from old vineyards over 40 years old, the oldest were planted in 1911 and 1913. The Special Club is mainly composed of "hearts of each terroirs" of Cramant Grand Cru, completed by Chouilly "Montaigu" and a touch of Cuis 1er cru to bring freshness, signature of Pierre Gimonnet & Fils style.
One of Didier Gimonnet's Champagnes always seems to find a place on our best of the year list-- and for good reason. Gimonnet's wines are built on the strength of the terroir that he and his brother Olivier have expanded in the heart of the Côte des Blancs. His outstanding 2016 Spécial Club is based on Cramant Grand Cru and includes their 100+-year-old vines in the lieux-dits of 'Le Fond du Bateau,' and 'Buissons.'
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."
WINE SPECTATOR 93 POINTS - "Compact and well-integrated, this minerally Champagne shows racy acidity and intensity, with focus to the notes of crunchy green pear, preserved lemon, apple blossoms and blanched almond. Fine and creamy on the palate, but with a zesty energy as this expands through the finish. Disgorged April 2023. Drink now through 2036. 250 cases imported."
WINE ADVOCATE 93 POINTS - "Derived from old-vine parcels scattered around Cramant, Chouilly and Cuis, Gimonnet’s 2016 Special Club Grands Terroirs de Chardonnay bursts from the glass with aromas of apple, lemon zest, hazelnut and white flowers. Medium to full-bodied and enveloping yet bright, it is less taut than the Chouilly Special Club but a bit more ample than the Cramant Special Club standalone bottling. Full-bodied and concentrated and underpinned by vibrant acidity, it is an admirably consistent and age-worthy cuvée that always begins to show its plenitude with a few extra years post disgorgement. Incorporating fruit from vines planted in 1911 and 1913, plots that Gimonnet works with horses, I would be very curious to try a Champagne produced solely from these ancient vines. It was disgorged in June 2024 with four grams per liter dosage."
Winemaker Notes - This cuvée is the result of a very careful job at all stages of elaboration. The blending, made exclusively with Chardonnay from the Côte des Blancs, is a delicate blend from old vineyards over 40 years old, the oldest were planted in 1911 and 1913. The Special Club is mainly composed of "hearts of each terroirs" of Cramant Grand Cru, completed by Chouilly "Montaigu" and a touch of Cuis 1er cru to bring freshness, signature of Pierre Gimonnet & Fils style.