Pierre Gimonnet 2014 Special Club Chouilly Grand Cru Brut 750ml

Ample, broad and dramatic in scale, the 2014 Brut Spécial Club Chouilly Grand Cru shows just how well many wines turned out in a vintage that was not highly regarded at the time. Lemon confit, marzipan, chamomile and light pastry open effortlessly in the glass. The Chouilly is a big wine, but it remains translucent in feel, with plenty of cut driving through to the finish. Didier Gimonnet makes the Chouilly from the Montaigu lieu-dit, which has vines that he planted as far back as 1951. Readers won't want to miss this super-distinctive, substantial Champagne. Dosage is 4 grams per liter. Disgorged: October 14, 2019.

Score: 94 points -- Antonio Galloni, Vinous, 2020