Launois Père et Fils
Special Club Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Champagne Chardonnay
Le Mesnil-Sur-Oger, Côte des Blancs, Champagne, France
Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of several hours. The 2008 Special Club pours a straw color with a persistent mousse. On the nose, the wine is developing and somewhat shy but there’s citrus, white peach, brioche and a rather fascinating smell that reminded me of a built-up roof. On the palate, the wine is dry with high acid. Confirming the notes from the nose however here, it’s much richer and expansive. The finish is long. Young? Probably. Drink now through 2038. No disgorgement data.
Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of several hours. The 2008 Special Club pours a straw color with a persistent mousse. On the nose, the wine is developing and somewhat shy but there’s citrus, white peach, brioche and a rather fascinating smell that reminded me of a built-up roof. On the palate, the wine is dry with high acid. Confirming the notes from the nose however here, it’s much richer and expansive. The finish is long. Young? Probably. Drink now through 2038. No disgorgement data.
Feb 6th, 2025
Happy new year, very delicious, apple, sweet tart, creamy mousse, great length
Happy new year, very delicious, apple, sweet tart, creamy mousse, great length
Jan 1st, 2018
The 2008 Launois Special Club might be the best they’ve made in the 2000’s that’s been released. Pronounced (loon wah). My palate tells me part of this was aged in tank and some of it in wood.
It’s made from two plots of 65 year old vines, one in the Grand Cru of Oger called 'Chenys' and one in Mesnil called 'Derriere Maison’. The plots in Mesnil are their oldest.
The nose reveals, bruised green & golden apples, apple cider, bosc pear without skin, overripe pineapple, meyer lemon, lime zest, spice, touch of nutmeg, cream soda, baguette crust, walnuts, volcanic minerals, sea shells, nice chalkiness, yellow lilies, acacia blossoms and spring flowers.
The body is full, rich, soft & creamy. Micro bubbles. The palate shows nice backbone of minerals and excellent chalkiness. Bruised green & golden apples, apple cider, bosc pear without skin, white nectarines, overripe pineapple, meyer lemon, lime zest, spice, coriander, touch of nutmeg, graham crackers, cream soda, baguette crust, walnuts, volcanic minerals, sea shells, nice chalkiness, yellow lilies, acacia blossom and spring flowers. The acidity is magnificent. The long, rich, well balanced, elegant finish astonishes. It’s very good tonight but will wait another 3-4 years before I open another.
Photos of, the House of Launois, two different areas that make up their champagne museum that encompass Champagne’s history and then some, as well as, some of their Grand Cru Vineyards.
This 08 Special Club was/is a steal at $59.
The 2008 Launois Special Club might be the best they’ve made in the 2000’s that’s been released. Pronounced (loon wah). My palate tells me part of this was aged in tank and some of it in wood.
It’s made from two plots of 65 year old vines, one in the Grand Cru of Oger called 'Chenys' and one in Mesnil called 'Derriere Maison’. The plots in Mesnil are their oldest.
The nose reveals, bruised green & golden apples, apple cider, bosc pear without skin, overripe pineapple, meyer lemon, lime zest, spice, touch of nutmeg, cream soda, baguette crust, walnuts, volcanic minerals, sea shells, nice chalkiness, yellow lilies, acacia blossoms and spring flowers.
The body is full, rich, soft & creamy. Micro bubbles. The palate shows nice backbone of minerals and excellent chalkiness. Bruised green & golden apples, apple cider, bosc pear without skin, white nectarines, overripe pineapple, meyer lemon, lime zest, spice, coriander, touch of nutmeg, graham crackers, cream soda, baguette crust, walnuts, volcanic minerals, sea shells, nice chalkiness, yellow lilies, acacia blossom and spring flowers. The acidity is magnificent. The long, rich, well balanced, elegant finish astonishes. It’s very good tonight but will wait another 3-4 years before I open another.
Photos of, the House of Launois, two different areas that make up their champagne museum that encompass Champagne’s history and then some, as well as, some of their Grand Cru Vineyards.
This 08 Special Club was/is a steal at $59.
Beautiful stuff. Soft, pure, delicate.
Beautiful stuff. Soft, pure, delicate.
Feb 26th, 2017
Green apple and pear, salted lemon, baguette, med acid ✨
Green apple and pear, salted lemon, baguette, med acid ✨
Oct 7th, 2023
Pop and pour. It was a rough day, so perhaps take this note with a grain of salt, but...my wife says this is the best champagne we've had in recent memory, and I would describe this as Chevalier Montrachet with bubbles. On the nose: rich creamy vanilla lemon chiffon, soft honey, hazelnut, perfectly balanced richness and fruit. On the palate: soft mousse, fantastic acidity and richness, lemon, grilled nuts, fantastic density, and a soft, dark, finish. Wow, absolutely spectacular.
Pop and pour. It was a rough day, so perhaps take this note with a grain of salt, but...my wife says this is the best champagne we've had in recent memory, and I would describe this as Chevalier Montrachet with bubbles. On the nose: rich creamy vanilla lemon chiffon, soft honey, hazelnut, perfectly balanced richness and fruit. On the palate: soft mousse, fantastic acidity and richness, lemon, grilled nuts, fantastic density, and a soft, dark, finish. Wow, absolutely spectacular.
Jun 19th, 2021
Expected better. Not much going on. Could be a bad bottle.
Expected better. Not much going on. Could be a bad bottle.
Jul 21st, 2019
Long finish of apples and brioche. Fantastic for the price.
Long finish of apples and brioche. Fantastic for the price.
Aug 13th, 2018