Special Club Champagnes at Hi-Times

Veronica Castro hooked Berserkers up with a sweet deal that was tough to turn down. We got half off on a very cool Champagne tasting. You gotta love the short funky bottles the Special Club selections come in plus the quality is normally very high for the money. My two favs on the night were the Margaine and the Goutorbe.

• 2002 Pierre Gimonnet & Fils Champagne Special Club Millesimé de Collection

  France, Champagne

  Nose of sweet bread and citrus. Toasty notes and citrus from strongly concentrated fruit. Tight and a bit grippy. Come back in 2-5 years.

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• 2002 A. Margaine Champagne Blanc de Blancs Special Club

  France, Champagne

  I had forgotten I have had this twice recently. This go around was much more favorable. Pretty Pinot like nose. Citrus and berry on a very long palate. Nice sweet tart character. Seems to be a medium term bottle.

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• 2000 Gaston Chiquet Champagne Special Club Brut

  France, Champagne

  Smoky buttery nose. Apples and berries with notes of toasty oak. This lingers for a while and has a strong midpalate.

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• 2002 Henri Goutorbe Champagne Grand Cru Special Club

  France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru

  Smells like lemon pastries and crusty bread in a very expressive way. Strong lemon characters on the palate leaning on the sweet with a tart finish. This is a terrific wine in a bigger style.

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• 2005 Marc Hébrart Champagne Premier Cru Special Club

  France, Champagne, Champagne Premier Cru

  Tight chalky nose. Clean and acidic showing nice balance behind the pretty sweet fruit. Some grip. Best on the short term.

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• 2004 Marc Hébrart Champagne Premier Cru Special Club

  France, Champagne, Champagne Premier Cru

  Nose carries a ripe character that is rarely pleasant on Champagne. Pinot dominant palate with berry character and citrus on a big chalky finish. Sounds better than it was as a whole. Probably needs to settle down though.

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• 2004 Paul Bara Champagne Grand Cru Spécial Club Rosé

  France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru

  Reserved nose. Clean and light palate with tart cherry characters. Somewhat tight. Reminiscent of their NV bottling but not any better. Good wine but you can get two NV's for the same money.

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