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Wine Description
The Story
Special Club Cuvée is presented in an elegant and original bottle, created by the CLUB DE VITICULTEURS CHAMPENOIS, an association of winegrowers of the most renowned vintages. By being part of this Club, we have given ourselves the task of promoting the excellence of the Estate's Champagnes through Prestige Cuvées by constantly drawing inspiration from three principles: authenticity, rigor, originality.
Origin: Aÿ Grand Cru
Blend: Pinot Noir 70%, Chardonnay 30%
Vinification: Fermentation and malolactic fermentation in stainless steel tank
Dosage: 8g/L
Tasting notes: Large effervescence of fine bubbles feeds a persistent bead of foam. Satin golden yellow color, with a beautiful luminous shine with umber reflections. Perfect shine. Nice effervescence when served with generous bubbling and the presence of numerous trains of dynamic bubbles, rather fleeting and discreet foam hold in a fine necklace. A first expressive nose with floral aromas. When aired, there are citrus notes (lemon and mandarin) giving it a refreshing character. Biscuit notes bring complexity and translate a blooming maturity synonymous with fullness. In the end, touches of honey. The attack on the palate is full-bodied and fruity, invigorating with degassing that continues in the palate with pleasure and gluttony. Chardonnay first expresses itself with pretty notes of mandarins and candied citrus fruits, then with a noble saline and chalky bitterness. Pinot, in turn, expresses itself on autumnal and slightly peaty tones with almond tiles. A meringue, biscuit-like expression takes us to a gourmet and generous dimension to blossom on notes of cooked rhubarb and barley sugar. The finish is long, frank and refreshing, slightly kirsch, embellished with mocha fragrances reminiscent of Pinot Noir, the charismatic Ay grape. The wine shines for a long time in the mouth and is a real invitation to repeat it.
Vintage 2002
A cold winter and a mild late spring cued for a perfect June allowing early and fast flowering. Outstanding weather conditions prevailed and the season went on without dramatic turns. Rains in August raised concerns regarding gray rot, but finally sunshine and dry conditions throughout September resulted in an abundant crop of largely healthy fruit (11,930 kg/ha). Dehydration due to wind further aided in achieving perfect ripeness and additional concentration. This, and the cool nights, helped in retaining fresh acidity and, despite the ripeness (10.3% potential alcohol), the wines did not suffer from heaviness or a lack of life. A near-perfect vintage, which produced balanced Champagnes consistently around the region. The best show an impeccable combination of freshness, power, structure and finesse. However, some have matured aromatically quicker than expected and are already past their peak. 2002 produced an abundance of spectacular champagnes, such as Dom Pérignon (the entire range), Krug Vintage and Clos du Mesnil, Piper-Heidsieck Rare, Louis Roederer Cristal and Cristal Rosé, Ruinart Dom Ruinart and Dom Ruinart Rosé, Salon Le Mesnil and Taittinger Comtes de Champagne, to name a few.