2012 Pierre Gimonnet Brut Special Club
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Tasting notes
A fully mature nose reflects plenty of that wonderful toasty yeast/baked bread quality aged Champagne develops along with notes of citrus confit that includes hints of grapefruit, green apple and pear. There is both good verve and richness to the relatively generously proportioned flavors that offer fine depth and persistence on the borderline austere finale, which is unusual for the vintage. The supporting effervescence is just enough to maintain the balance and to invite the next sip. For my taste, this lovely effort is drinking perfectly now. (Drink starting 2024)
Critic scores
Allen Meadows, Burghound
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
From vines aged between 60 and 100 years old, the 2012 Brut Special Club Grands Terroirs de Chardonnay is showing superbly, unfurling in the glass with aromas of green orchard fruit, grapefruit zest, nougat, brioche and fresh yoghurt. Full-bodied, layered and concentrated, it's deep and muscular, with racy acids and a long, saline finish. While this can be approached sooner, it will really reward a bit of bottle age.
The 2012 Brut Special Club is the most powerful and dense of the three Gimonnet Special Clubs in the lineup. Powerful and deep, with a real feeling of vertical intensity, the 2012 possesses superb depth and textural resonance through to the finish. Still very much an infant, the 2012 has so much to offer. This is a brilliant showing. (AG)
Interestingly, the 2012 Special Club is quite a bit riper and bigger than any of the three single-village Special Clubs. Light tropical overtones meld into a core of candied orange peel, apricot, chamomile and wild flowers. In this tasting, the 2012 comes across as adolescent and not fully put together. Hopefully that will come in time. Disgorged: July 20, 2017.
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White