{"title":"Spéciale Club Trésors de Champagne","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong data-start=\"729\" data-end=\"773\"\u003eCuvée Spéciale Club Trésors de Champagne\u003c\/strong\u003e represents one of the most unique quality movements in the world of Champagne. Founded in 1971, \u003cstrong data-start=\"870\" data-end=\"902\"\u003eLe Club Trésors de Champagne\u003c\/strong\u003e brought together a small group of independent growers with one shared goal: prove that family-owned estates could create Champagnes with the same prestige, depth, and aging potential as the region’s most famous houses.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"somm2407-bara16spclub-750","title":"2016 Paul Bara, Champagne Brut Grand Cru \"Special Club\"","description":"\u003cp\u003e \u003cspan\u003eTonight’s Friday bonus is, quite simply, a double whammy of prestige and pedigree. First, we get to feature the iconic Grower-Producer (aka \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRécoltant-Manipulant) \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePaul Bara, who was the village historian of Bouzy and widely considered among the village’s very best producers. And this isn’t any old village of course, Bouzy is the king of the Pinot Noir dominant Grand Crus that make up the Montagne de Reims. The second jolt of Champagne power comes in the form of two words: Special Club. That’s right, not only are we offering the top producer in one of the most prestigious Grand Crus–this is their super limited, made only in the most exceptional vintages, ode to the apogée of depth, complexity and richness that Bouzy Champagne can achieve. Not surprisingly we have just a very few cases of this rare gem. Don’t miss it!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhen a young Paul Bara returned home after serving in WWII, he found that his family’s small estate in Bouzy had been ransacked and all but destroyed, so he got to work. In the following decades he not only restored the estate, but also expanded it, and along the way he established loyal clients in France and around the world, including the young California importer\/retailer Kermit Lynch. Indeed, Paul Bara was one of the very first Growers to export his Champagne to the United States–a market that was entirely dominated by the big brand, house labels. This pioneering spirit was what inspired him to sell wines under his own name in the 1950s, something that the 200 year old estate had never done before. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIf you are fortunate enough to visit today you’ll find his daughter, Chantale, still at the helm of a beautifully appointed, modern facility with an expanded cellar that is dug deep into the chalky limestone. The estate now has 11 hectares of vines in Bouzy, still very small but this allows them to produce a nice range of wines that highlight the exceptional terroir of this Grand Cru. It’s also small enough to allow the Bara family and their team to farm everything by hand, with certified sustainability and many organic practices, and they are also able to harvest all of that pristine fruit by hand.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWinemaking is both traditional and clean, with modern equipment interspersed throughout the cellar. They use both an old fashioned wood press, and a modern “plate press,” and the juice is fermented and aged in temperature controlled tanks. The real magic happens after the wine is bottled and prepared for a long, slow second fermentation in the deep, cold cellars that are carved out of the limestone at almost 40 feet below ground. This allows for the slow aging that is necessary for that impeccable balance of elegance and power that Bara is famous for. Today’s “Special Club,” from the excellent 2016 vintage, was aged for at least 60 months before disgorgement, and has now seen an additional couple years of bottle age.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eChantale Bara was president of the “Club Trésors de Champagne,” which is the small group of growers who produce bottles known as “Special Club,” for four years, so she knows a thing or two about what it takes to make these rare bottles so, well, special. The 2016 shows immediately that classic Bouzy combination of ripe, red fruited Pinot Noir with layers of spice and savory earth. This blend also contains 30% Chardonnay (a rarity in Bouzy) that adds excellent cut and a long, chalky, mineral finish. Serve this blockbuster bottle of very fine bubbles cool, not cold, in an all-purpose or Burgundy stem (no flutes here please) and you’ll enjoy classy and classic aromas of crushed raspberries, white cherries, red currant, plum skin, hazelnut, lavender, lemon curd, white pepper, and a hint of dried mushrooms. It’s built for food for sure, and can stand up to heartier dishes of poultry and game, though is excellent with shellfish such as lobster and scallops as well. Though it’s ready to fully impress right now, I am quite certain that those with the patience to put down a few bottles for another five plus years will be handsomely rewarded!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!----\u003e","brand":"SommSelect","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42824171028534,"sku":"SOMM2407-BARA16SPCLUB-750","price":139.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0551\/3628\/8822\/files\/2016PaulBara_ChampagneBrutGrandCruSpecialClub_MainImage-1800x1800.jpg?v=1719580138"},{"product_id":"2018-champagne-a-margaine-special-club-grand-cru-blanc-de-blancs-extra-brut-villers-marmerysomm2604-ama18cha-750","title":"2018 Champagne A. Margaine \"Spécial Club\" Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut","description":"\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn the heart of the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMontagne de Reims\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e—a region synonymous with powerful Pinot Noir—sits the village of Villers-Marmery, a geological anomaly where Chardonnay reigns supreme. It is here that \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMathilde Margaine,\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e the fifth generation and first woman to lead this historic estate, crafts the definitive \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\"Chardonnay of the Montagne.\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e This \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eU.S. Exclusive\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is a \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ehauntingly beautiful outlier,\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e utilizing a local, site-specific clone found nowhere else in Champagne. For the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eChampagne purist\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ethis is a non-negotiable addition\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e—a wine marrying the ethereal finesse of the Côte des Blancs with the raw, vinous power unique to this chalk-heavy enclave.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe \"Spécial Club\" designation is the highest honor for a grower, yet the path to earning it is grueling. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTo carry this label, the wine must pass two rigorous blind tastings by a professional board of oenologists to ensure it represents the absolute pinnacle of the vintage. Margaine has exceeded these standards for 2018, delivering a \"chiseled gem\" that boasts \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003edual 94-point reviews\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e from top critics. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVinous Media\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e consistently champions the house for its electric tension, while Champagne authority \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePeter Liem\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e cites Margaine as the definitive producer for capturing the village’s unique, chalky soul.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhat separates this release is the luxury of time. While many vintage Champagnes see far less contact with the yeast, this \"Spécial Club\" underwent an extraordinary \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e5.5 years (66 months) on the lees\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. This extended aging imparts tantalizing notes of walnut butter and pastry crust to its vibrant lemon core, creating a texture as succulent as it is precise. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWith limited quantities available and exclusive tiered pricing—dropping to $119 on 4+ bottles—this is a rare opportunity to secure a world-class Blanc de Blancs built to thrive in your cellar for years to come. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSanté!\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCritical Acclaim:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0551\/3628\/8822\/files\/vinous_240x240.png?v=1769834033\" style=\"margin-bottom: 16px; float: none;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e94 Points, Vinous Media:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e“The 2018 Brut Blanc de Blancs Spšcial Club is terrific. Bright and finely cut, this chiseled jewel of a wine impresses with its weight, energy and tension. Lemon peel, chalk, mint, white pepper, lemon oil and crushed rocks bristle with saline-infused energy. I especially admire the vibrancy and delineation here. Dosage is 7 grams per liter. Disgorged: March 2025.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0551\/3628\/8822\/files\/jeb_dunnuck_240x240.png?v=1769834039\" alt=\"\" style=\"float: none;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e94 Points, Jeb Dunnuck:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e“The bright yellow 2018 Champagne Special Club Blanc de Blancs Brut is sourced from plots in Alouettes, Broccots, and Montmedy, situated on clay and limestone soils. It's gorgeous on the nose, with floral notes of lime blossoms, candied citrus, green apples, and fresh pastry cream. Medium-bodied, it has a nice focus, and while it doesn't have the most destiny, it’s a highly appealing wine now and should also drink well for another 10-15 years. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0551\/3628\/8822\/files\/main_champ-8_885dc6b5-9392-45da-9742-4732850ee108.png?v=1775847734\" alt=\"Champagne A. Margaine\" style=\"float: none;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"SommSelect","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45214467719222,"sku":"SOMM2604-AMA18CHA-750","price":129.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0551\/3628\/8822\/files\/2018ChampagneA.MargaineSpecialClubGrandCruBlancdeBlancsExtraBrut_Villers-Marmery.png?v=1775170877"},{"product_id":"2016-sanchez-le-guedard-special-club","title":"2016 Sanchez-Le Guédard 'Clos Saint Hélène' Special Club","description":"\u003cp class=\"my-2 [\u0026amp;+p]:mt-4 [\u0026amp;_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [\u0026amp;_strong:has(+br)]:align-top\"\u003eThe 2016 Sanchez-Le Guédard Brut Special Club is the real deal. José and Sébastien Sanchez run this family estate in Cumières, a Premier Cru village in the Vallée de la Marne, where Pinot Noir delivers depth, red-fruited drive, and savory richness. The house traces back to Bernard Le Guédard, who established the domaine in 1953, and today the estate is built around careful vineyard work, small-production cuvées, and a clear commitment to terroir-driven Champagne.\u003cspan class=\"citation-nbsp\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"citation inline\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"group\/trigger inline-flex min-w-0\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"my-2 [\u0026amp;+p]:mt-4 [\u0026amp;_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [\u0026amp;_strong:has(+br)]:align-top\"\u003eThis is their Special Club bottling—the top tier of the Club Trésors de Champagne, a group founded in 1971 by grower-producers to showcase their best estate wines from exceptional vintages. To earn that bottle, the wine must come from the grower’s own vineyards, be made only in a standout vintage, and pass multiple blind tastings after extended cellar aging. The 2016 bottling is 100% Pinot Noir from the single parcel Clos Sainte Hélène, aged for 9 years on the lees, with 5 g\/L dosage, certified organic, and fermented 100% in stainless steel. The soils in Cumières are a mix of chalk, limestone, and clay, which provide excellent drainage and moisture retention.\u003cspan class=\"citation-nbsp\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"citation inline\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"group\/trigger inline-flex min-w-0\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"my-2 [\u0026amp;+p]:mt-4 [\u0026amp;_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [\u0026amp;_strong:has(+br)]:align-top\"\u003eThis is an Extra Brut with striking structure and tension: the first aromas open on stewed fruit, freshly baked bread, exotic nuances, and acacia honey, moving into late-summer notes of dry hay, fully ripe plums, damp earth, and dying embers. The attack is fresh and vibrant, with a firm yet saline structure, a taut and refined texture, and a finish that persists over 10 seconds with marked sapidity and elegant cocoa accents.\u003cspan class=\"citation-nbsp\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"citation inline\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"inline-flex\"\u003e\u003ca rel=\"noopener\" class=\"inline-flex max-w-full min-w-0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.champagnefiercefit.com\/en\/prodotto\/dettaglio\/314-spcial-club-br-pinot-noir-2016-br-clos-sainte-hlne-br-premier-cru-br-parcellairebr\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"my-2 [\u0026amp;+p]:mt-4 [\u0026amp;_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [\u0026amp;_strong:has(+br)]:align-top\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eItem excluded from discounts.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"font-editorial font-bold mb-2 mt-4 [.has-inline-images_\u0026amp;]:clear-end text-base first:mt-0\" id=\"why-youll-love-it\"\u003eWhy You’ll Love It\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"marker:text-quiet list-disc pl-8\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"py-0 my-0 prose-p:pt-0 prose-p:mb-2 prose-p:my-0 [\u0026amp;\u0026gt;p]:pt-0 [\u0026amp;\u0026gt;p]:mb-2 [\u0026amp;\u0026gt;p]:my-0\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"my-2 [\u0026amp;+p]:mt-4 [\u0026amp;_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [\u0026amp;_strong:has(+br)]:align-top\"\u003eIt offers the kind of polished, site-specific Champagne that collectors chase in grower form, with Pinot Noir depth and real definition.\u003cspan class=\"citation-nbsp\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"citation inline\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"group\/trigger inline-flex min-w-0\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"py-0 my-0 prose-p:pt-0 prose-p:mb-2 prose-p:my-0 [\u0026amp;\u0026gt;p]:pt-0 [\u0026amp;\u0026gt;p]:mb-2 [\u0026amp;\u0026gt;p]:my-0\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"my-2 [\u0026amp;+p]:mt-4 [\u0026amp;_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [\u0026amp;_strong:has(+br)]:align-top\"\u003eThe Special Club bottle signals top-tier selection, giving you a wine that has already passed the scrutiny of the growers who know Champagne best.\u003cspan class=\"citation-nbsp\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"citation inline\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"group\/trigger inline-flex min-w-0\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"py-0 my-0 prose-p:pt-0 prose-p:mb-2 prose-p:my-0 [\u0026amp;\u0026gt;p]:pt-0 [\u0026amp;\u0026gt;p]:mb-2 [\u0026amp;\u0026gt;p]:my-0\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"my-2 [\u0026amp;+p]:mt-4 [\u0026amp;_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [\u0026amp;_strong:has(+br)]:align-top\"\u003eCumières gives the wine its shape and drive, bringing red-fruited intensity, texture, and length to the glass.\u003cspan class=\"citation-nbsp\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"citation inline\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"group\/trigger inline-flex min-w-0\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"font-editorial font-bold mb-2 mt-4 [.has-inline-images_\u0026amp;]:clear-end text-base first:mt-0\" id=\"how-to-serve-it\"\u003eHow To Serve It\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"marker:text-quiet list-disc pl-8\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"py-0 my-0 prose-p:pt-0 prose-p:mb-2 prose-p:my-0 [\u0026amp;\u0026gt;p]:pt-0 [\u0026amp;\u0026gt;p]:mb-2 [\u0026amp;\u0026gt;p]:my-0\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"my-2 [\u0026amp;+p]:mt-4 [\u0026amp;_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [\u0026amp;_strong:has(+br)]:align-top\"\u003eChill it to around 45 to 50°F and pour it into a generous wine glass at 12°C so the texture and complexity can open properly.\u003cspan class=\"citation-nbsp\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"citation inline\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"inline-flex\"\u003e\u003ca rel=\"noopener\" class=\"inline-flex max-w-full min-w-0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.champagnefiercefit.com\/en\/prodotto\/dettaglio\/314-spcial-club-br-pinot-noir-2016-br-clos-sainte-hlne-br-premier-cru-br-parcellairebr\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"py-0 my-0 prose-p:pt-0 prose-p:mb-2 prose-p:my-0 [\u0026amp;\u0026gt;p]:pt-0 [\u0026amp;\u0026gt;p]:mb-2 [\u0026amp;\u0026gt;p]:my-0\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"my-2 [\u0026amp;+p]:mt-4 [\u0026amp;_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [\u0026amp;_strong:has(+br)]:align-top\"\u003eGive it a little breathing room in the glass; it gains presence as the fruit, chalk, and autolytic notes widen out.\u003cspan class=\"citation-nbsp\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"citation inline\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"inline-flex\"\u003e\u003ca rel=\"noopener\" class=\"inline-flex max-w-full min-w-0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.champagnefiercefit.com\/en\/prodotto\/dettaglio\/314-spcial-club-br-pinot-noir-2016-br-clos-sainte-hlne-br-premier-cru-br-parcellairebr\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"py-0 my-0 prose-p:pt-0 prose-p:mb-2 prose-p:my-0 [\u0026amp;\u0026gt;p]:pt-0 [\u0026amp;\u0026gt;p]:mb-2 [\u0026amp;\u0026gt;p]:my-0\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"my-2 [\u0026amp;+p]:mt-4 [\u0026amp;_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [\u0026amp;_strong:has(+br)]:align-top\"\u003eServe it as an aperitif with toasted almonds or soft focaccia scented with black tea, or at the table with structured fish dishes like sea bass all’acqua pazza, turbot with citrus, or John Dory baked with porcini mushrooms.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"SommSelect","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46610595217462,"sku":"SOMM2606-SAN18CHA-750","price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0551\/3628\/8822\/files\/2016Sanchez-LeGuedard_SpecialClub_1_cdbf3fc9-e720-42d6-8545-d38fbbbeb9b7.png?v=1781833687"},{"product_id":"2018-champagne-remy-massin-pinot-noir-special-club","title":"2018 Champagne Remy Massin Pinot Noir Special Club","description":"","brand":"SommSelect","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46959930966070,"sku":"SOMM2607-CRM18VSA-750","price":165.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0551\/3628\/8822\/files\/2018ChampagneRemyMassinPinotNoirSpecialClub_1.png?v=1784759097"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0551\/3628\/8822\/collections\/tresors_de_champagne_logos-8.png?v=1784895092","url":"https:\/\/sommselect.com\/collections\/speciale-club-tresors-de-champagne.oembed","provider":"SommSelect","version":"1.0","type":"link"}