Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

The 2012 J. Lassalle Special Club is made from 60% Pinot Noir & 40% Chardonnay. The vines average 50 yrs old. Hails from Chigny-Les-Roses. Winemakers Chantal Decelle-Lassalle and Angéline Templier farm using the practice of Lutte Raisonnée, which means they fall just short of organic. Sustainable but use minimal chemicals. Rain during and at the end of the season when Mother Nature doesn’t dry the grape clusters, chemicals are often necessary to prevent mold. This isn’t Sauternes!

Texturally, it is quite nice. Beautiful fine mousse and micro oxygenation. Lively but not aggressive acidity.

Green & golden apples, pear, pineapple, lime/lemon with zest, orange citrus blend, green melon & kiwi. White spice, bread dough, nougat, limestone bits, thick chalky powder, graham cracker crust, melted caramel, vanillin, saline, sea fossils, understated herbaceous notes, fruit blossoms, spring flowers with an elegant, smartly polished, well balanced, nicely structured-crafted finish that lasts 90 seconds & lands on volcanics & spice on the long set.

You could make case for 94 here. Perhaps fully with a few more yrs of bottle age.

Pairs well with the Jasper Hill Farms Limited Edition of their Champagne washed Harbison soft white. — 7 days ago

Frank B

8.9

Little more tannic than I prefer but opened up well — a month ago

Mackenzie Svee

9.5

Golden yellow in color, with delicate and lively bubbles. The nose has elegant aromatic complexity, with superb finesse, floral hints (rose), hazelnut, and almond aromas. Generous and unctuous, with undertones of toasted bread, stewed yellow-fleshed fruit, and a slight floral touch. — 5 months ago

Jayna Fontenot

9.0

Delicate old gold, frothy mousse, tiny bubbles. Nose gives me crisp apple, honey, toast. Fresh, not overstated, yummy. — 7 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Consistency is their middle name.

This has just started to shift from fresh to aging.

Bruised red apple/pear, lemon, lime zest, tropical melons, drier stone fruits, whipped cream, ginger, brioche, graham cracker, very light caramel/butterscotch notes, grey volcanics, limestone marl, sea fossils, gritty chalk, white & yellow flowers with greens, excellent lively acidity and a well balanced-knitted, elegant & smartly polished finish that lasts near two-minutes. — a month ago

Lyn Farmer

9.6

Sensational Champagne with pale gold color and deep autolytic flavors. Crisp ripe apple and lemon, chalky minerality, subtle raspberry, biscuit, brioche, Acacia, hawthorn, and hazelnut with an achingly long finish showing chalk, flint, honey and biscuit. A dazzling match with pan-seared scallops. — 3 months ago

Jeroen Koenen

9.6

Music ‘n Magnum tasting.
🎶Guus Meeuwis & Vagant - Het is een nacht (Levensecht) — 20 days ago

Brian Hearty

9.4

2012. Celebrating our return to Lincoln and our daughter’s birthday at our favorite place. We started with this Special Club that my daughter said was her favorite champagne to date! Paired great throughout the meal! — a month ago

Louis Martin

9.5

Measured aroma, silky smooth texture, blackberry and cedar notes, grew more complex as the night wore on, probably still on the young side but still a special treat to have with a short rib and polenta dish. — 8 days ago

K ITO

9.1

mocha choko berry rich
nice sweet bitter sour balance
— 8 months ago