A recent arrival of one of the best Champagne deals for the special Club category, Chartier & Fils is a small traditional Champagne house located in the Marne Valley in the hamlet of Montigny-sous-Châtillon about 20 minutes outside of Epernay. Since 1982, this Champagne house has been a family business passed down for many generations. Chartier vinifies 41 different plots spread over five hillsides that grow on the chalky soils of the Montagne with an inherent love for Pinot Meunier, accounting for 69% of the production, with Chardonnay (20%) and 11% Pinot Noir (11%) taking a lesser role. Pinot Meunier is the typical varietal of this geographic location and is beautifully expressed in the Champagnes here, giving them subtle aromas, unparalleled suppleness, and fruit ranging from wild berries to exotic.
While most producers of Special Club are well into the more recent vintages, few examples remain from this vintage that are still current releases. On top of that, one would assume that a current release from 2008 would be pricey, but this is incredibly reasonable and a fantastic deal for a bottle of this magnitude. The Special Club Champagnes are typically great buys because they have to meet a certain standard and go through 2 rigorous tastings yearly before they can be approved to be labeled as Special Clubs, ensuring a certain level of quality. The Special Club here comes from the oldest and best plots that the Charliers have. While Pinot Meunier is the mainstay here, this sees mostly Chardonnay for a blend of 70% Chardonnay, 15% Pinot Meunier, and 15% Pinot Noir. This is a Champagne of freshness and minerality highlighted by the finesse of the Chardonnay. On the nose, notes of roasted aromas of hazelnut and toasted bread are accompanied by subtle notes of barley sugar. The palate is generous and expressive with good intensity, showing brioche and tarte tatin, finishing with a balanced and lingering finale. The 2008s still have plenty of youth to them and this is drinking very well now but will continue to age for many more years. It is always nice to get something with a bit of age on it, and we have low pricing today on this fantastic Special Club.
2008 Charlier & Fils Champagne Special Club Brut
2008 Charlier & Fils Champagne Special Club Brut
$69.99
$69.99
A recent arrival of one of the best Champagne deals for the special Club category, Chartier & Fils is a small traditional Champagne house located in the Marne Valley in the hamlet of Montigny-sous-Châtillon about 20 minutes outside of Epernay. Since 1982, this Champagne house has been a family business passed down for many generations. Chartier vinifies 41 different plots spread over five hillsides that grow on the chalky soils of the Montagne with an inherent love for Pinot Meunier, accounting for 69% of the production, with Chardonnay (20%) and 11% Pinot Noir (11%) taking a lesser role. Pinot Meunier is the typical varietal of this geographic location and is beautifully expressed in the Champagnes here, giving them subtle aromas, unparalleled suppleness, and fruit ranging from wild berries to exotic.
While most producers of Special Club are well into the more recent vintages, few examples remain from this vintage that are still current releases. On top of that, one would assume that a current release from 2008 would be pricey, but this is incredibly reasonable and a fantastic deal for a bottle of this magnitude. The Special Club Champagnes are typically great buys because they have to meet a certain standard and go through 2 rigorous tastings yearly before they can be approved to be labeled as Special Clubs, ensuring a certain level of quality. The Special Club here comes from the oldest and best plots that the Charliers have. While Pinot Meunier is the mainstay here, this sees mostly Chardonnay for a blend of 70% Chardonnay, 15% Pinot Meunier, and 15% Pinot Noir. This is a Champagne of freshness and minerality highlighted by the finesse of the Chardonnay. On the nose, notes of roasted aromas of hazelnut and toasted bread are accompanied by subtle notes of barley sugar. The palate is generous and expressive with good intensity, showing brioche and tarte tatin, finishing with a balanced and lingering finale. The 2008s still have plenty of youth to them and this is drinking very well now but will continue to age for many more years. It is always nice to get something with a bit of age on it, and we have low pricing today on this fantastic Special Club.
