Henri Goutorbe Special Club Grand Cru Brut Millesime 2012
(Champagne, France) - [VM 93] [WS 92] [TWI 92]

About the Winery:

In 1970, Henri’s son René took over the estate, expanding the vineyard holdings and enlarging and modernizing the winery. Today they own 25 hectares, a considerable quantity for a champagne grower, planted with 70% Pinot Noir, 27% Chardonnay and 3% Meunier. 

Region: Vallée de la Marne
Premier cru sites in Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, Mutigny and Bisseuil
Grand cru sites in Aÿ
Total vineyard holdings: 25 hectares
Annual production: 15,000 cases
Vines: 25% chardonnay, 5% pinot meunier, 70% pinot noir

Winemaker Notes:

Cépage: 70% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay
Village/Vyd: Aÿ Grand Cru; Chalk
Malo: Yes
Élevage: Stainless steel
Sur Latte: 60+ Months
Dégorgement: Variable (8)

Tasting Notes:

Baked raspberry and melon notes are ripe and fragrant on the nose and palate, joining accents of toast, spun honey and ground coffee in this balanced Champagne

Ratings & Reviews:

93 Points - Vinous Media: 
"Goutorbe's 2012 Brut Special Club Millesime is a wonderful, open-knit Champagne to drink now and over the next handful of years. Dried pear, spice, marzipan, hazelnut and chamomile show the gentle touches of age in an understated fashion that is undeniably appealing. A blend of 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay from Grand Cru sites in Ay, soft contours wrap this all together. Dosage is 8 grams per liter. Disgorged: Oct 2022." - Antonio Galloni (Feb 2023)

92 Points - Wine Spectator:
"A sleek, creamy Champagne, with aromatic notes of white blossoms, graphite and spices accenting flavors of baked black currant, whole-grain toast and preserved lemon. Minerally on the mouthwatering finish. Disgorged October 2022. Drink now through 2030. 125 cases imported." - AN (Dec 2023)

92 Points - The Wine Independent:
"The Special Club Grand Cru Brut 2012 is a 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay fermented in stainless steel and aged a minimum of five years on fine lees. Very ripe, heady aromas concentrated red fruits, morello cherry, pomegranate, red apple and raw honeycomb lead into a light to medium-bodied, well-structure and lively palate swirling with ripe apple and red currants, spirited acidity and a long, honeyed finish. The bottle tasted was disgorged January 2023 and finished with an eight gram per liter dosage." - SM (Nov 2023)