Jose Michel Special Club 2013

Sale $64.99 – Beats the Best US Price Online*

Buy 3 or more $59.99

Danielle is guarding the entry... so what is this “Special Club”? Some secret society? Oooh, is there a fancy handshake? Codeword?

Afraid not, but it is still fancy.

The Club de Trésors, Club of Treasures, was founded in 1971 by a group of small Champagne producers. They wanted a “mark” that could be used by members to denote outstanding bottles of Champagne, worthy of going toe to toe with the big houses’ marques – like Dom Perignon, Veuve Grande Dame, etc. There are currently 28 members who submit their wines for consideration.

First, members gather to taste the “vin clair”, or still wines, of the previous vintage. Then they vote whether to “declare” the vintage in general. The vote must be unanimous. Then, the panel selects the wines that are potentially worthy of receiving the “Special Club” designation. After three years of bottle aging, the now finished Champagnes are tasted blind again. Only if they are unanimously approved will their wine gain “Special Club” recognition.

For you, it means you can purchase a Special Club Champagne, knowing you are getting a tremendous bottle, without having to wait for reviews to come out. And while the wines routinely garner high ratings from the press, the prices are often still a relative bargain. Jose Michel, in particular, offers stunning value.

60% Chardonnay and 40% Pinot Meunier from 35+ year old vines fermented in a combination of old casks and enameled steel vats. The Meunier offers red cherry aromas and a round mouthfeel to balance the citrus character of the Chardonnay. Chalky minerals and floral notes further enhance the overall wine. In addition to the stunning price tag, this is a bubbly that needs no aging to be enjoyed. Thanks to the accessible Meunier fruit, this is revving on all cylinders right now!

“Smoky, penetrating orchard fruit and cherry pit scents are complicated by notes of truffle, chalky minerals and fresh flowers. Powerful yet lithe on the palate, offering refreshingly bitter pear skin and fresh fig flavors and a brighter suggestion of orange that gains in strength with air. Finishes on a toasty note, with lingering florality and excellent persistence.” Vinous on 2005
 

Or reply. The wine is available now in Chapel Hill. Saturday, as ordered, in Hillsborough.

* Oh, the asterisk? Well, there is another price online that is lower, in California, with an ETA of February. Um. It’s March. And the price is lower than my cost. Sometimes things just don’t add up.