Gaston Chiquet Special Club Grand Cru Brut Millesime 2015
(Champagne, France) - [JD 94] [WS 93] [VM 92]

About the Winery:

Nicolas Chiquet farms 23 hectares in the Valle de la Marne in the villages of Ay, Dizy, Hautvillers and Mareuil-sur-Ay. All of the fruit (including that which is used in the non-vintage cuvee) comes from Premier and Grand Cru grapes. Nicolas does not employ any oak aging at Gaston Chiquet; he believes that concentration, fruit maturity and malolactic fermentation impart enough body and texture to make aging in barrel unnecessary.

The vineyards are planted to equal (forty percent each) parts Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier and twenty percent are planted to Pinot Noir. Gaston-Chiquet also produces a vintage dated Chardonnay from 5 parcels on the western side of the Grand Cru village of Ay. Usually recognized as a grand cru village for Pinot Noir, these vines of Chardonnay were planted in Ay in the 1930s.

About this Wine:

Cépage: 68% Chardonnay, 32% Pinot Noir
Village/Vyd: Chardonnay: 53% Dizy 1er Cru (20% Haut de Souchienne, 20% Veilots, 13% Crohaut Guillemoinel), 15% Hautvillers 1er Cru (Lagrange, Croix Courcelles); Pinot Noir: 32% Dizy 1er Cru (Griboury); Clay and limestone over chalk
Malo: Yes
Élevage: Stainless steel
Sur Latte: 90+ Months

Ratings & Reviews

94 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"The 2015 Champagne Special Club Brut is a seductive offering from the Chiquet house. Pouring a silver-straw hue and composed of 68% Chardonnay and the rest Pinot Noir, this year's release is lush and expressive on opening, with a decadent perfume of red apple, sweet brioche, honeyed Meyer lemon, and wet stone. Approachable on the palate, it opens with a rounded and pillowy mousse, a supple texture, and modest acidity, although at this stage, it remains fresh and inviting, with a touch of green almond notes on the finish. Although I don’t see 2015 as the longest-lived of vintages, this wine will have an open drinking window that may prove to surprise me over the coming decade or more. Disgorged January 2015." (Nov 2023)

93 Points - Wine Spectator:
"Finely balanced, with bright acidity enlivening delicately woven flavors of cherry, crushed almond, blood orange sorbet and toast point. Satiny in texture, with floral and mineral accents on the finish. Disgorged January 2023. Drink now through 2028. 625 cases imported." - AN (Dec 2023)

92 Points - Vinous Media:
"The 2015 Brut Special Club is a very pretty, floral Champagne. Hints of tangerine peel, white flowers, tropical fruit and vanillin waft from the glass. This understated blend of 68% Chardonnay and 32% Pinot Noir from Premier Cru sites in Dizy and Hautvillers is all class. Moreover, there are none of the vegetal notes that aflict so many Champagnes in this vintage. Dosage is 4-6 grams per liter. Disgorged Jan 2023." - Antonio Galloni (Nov 2023)