Launois Père et Fils

Special Club Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Champagne Chardonnay

9.331 ratings
9.48 pro ratings
Le Mesnil-Sur-Oger, Côte des Blancs, Champagne, France
Chardonnay
Duck, Shellfish, Goose, Mushrooms, Manchego & Parmesan, Game, Pork, Squash & Root Vegetables, Chicken, Turkey, Cheddar & Gruyere, Meaty & Oily Fish, White Fish, Shellfish, Crab & Lobster, Cream Sauces
Top Notes For
Max Reichwage

Happy new year, very delicious, apple, sweet tart, creamy mousse, great length

Happy new year, very delicious, apple, sweet tart, creamy mousse, great length

Jan 1st, 2018
David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

The 2008 Launois Special Club might be the best they’ve made in the 2000’s that’s been released. Pronounced (loon wah). My palate tells me part of this was aged in tank and some of it in wood.

It’s made from two plots of 65 year old vines, one in the Grand Cru of Oger called 'Chenys' and one in Mesnil called 'Derriere Maison’. The plots in Mesnil are their oldest.

The nose reveals, bruised green & golden apples, apple cider, bosc pear without skin, overripe pineapple, meyer lemon, lime zest, spice, touch of nutmeg, cream soda, baguette crust, walnuts, volcanic minerals, sea shells, nice chalkiness, yellow lilies, acacia blossoms and spring flowers.

The body is full, rich, soft & creamy. Micro bubbles. The palate shows nice backbone of minerals and excellent chalkiness. Bruised green & golden apples, apple cider, bosc pear without skin, white nectarines, overripe pineapple, meyer lemon, lime zest, spice, coriander, touch of nutmeg, graham crackers, cream soda, baguette crust, walnuts, volcanic minerals, sea shells, nice chalkiness, yellow lilies, acacia blossom and spring flowers. The acidity is magnificent. The long, rich, well balanced, elegant finish astonishes. It’s very good tonight but will wait another 3-4 years before I open another.

Photos of, the House of Launois, two different areas that make up their champagne museum that encompass Champagne’s history and then some, as well as, some of their Grand Cru Vineyards.

This 08 Special Club was/is a steal at $59.

The 2008 Launois Special Club might be the best they’ve made in the 2000’s that’s been released. Pronounced (loon wah). My palate tells me part of this was aged in tank and some of it in wood.

It’s made from two plots of 65 year old vines, one in the Grand Cru of Oger called 'Chenys' and one in Mesnil called 'Derriere Maison’. The plots in Mesnil are their oldest.

The nose reveals, bruised green & golden apples, apple cider, bosc pear without skin, overripe pineapple, meyer lemon, lime zest, spice, touch of nutmeg, cream soda, baguette crust, walnuts, volcanic minerals, sea shells, nice chalkiness, yellow lilies, acacia blossoms and spring flowers.

The body is full, rich, soft & creamy. Micro bubbles. The palate shows nice backbone of minerals and excellent chalkiness. Bruised green & golden apples, apple cider, bosc pear without skin, white nectarines, overripe pineapple, meyer lemon, lime zest, spice, coriander, touch of nutmeg, graham crackers, cream soda, baguette crust, walnuts, volcanic minerals, sea shells, nice chalkiness, yellow lilies, acacia blossom and spring flowers. The acidity is magnificent. The long, rich, well balanced, elegant finish astonishes. It’s very good tonight but will wait another 3-4 years before I open another.

Photos of, the House of Launois, two different areas that make up their champagne museum that encompass Champagne’s history and then some, as well as, some of their Grand Cru Vineyards.

This 08 Special Club was/is a steal at $59.

2 people found it helpfulNov 11th, 2018
David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

Beautiful stuff. Soft, pure, delicate.

Beautiful stuff. Soft, pure, delicate.

Feb 26th, 2017
Brendan Baker

Green apple and pear, salted lemon, baguette, med acid ✨

Green apple and pear, salted lemon, baguette, med acid ✨

Oct 7th, 2023
Aravind A

Yeah, this is excellent.

Yeah, this is excellent.

Jun 25th, 2022
Aravind A

Pop and pour. It was a rough day, so perhaps take this note with a grain of salt, but...my wife says this is the best champagne we've had in recent memory, and I would describe this as Chevalier Montrachet with bubbles. On the nose: rich creamy vanilla lemon chiffon, soft honey, hazelnut, perfectly balanced richness and fruit. On the palate: soft mousse, fantastic acidity and richness, lemon, grilled nuts, fantastic density, and a soft, dark, finish. Wow, absolutely spectacular.

Pop and pour. It was a rough day, so perhaps take this note with a grain of salt, but...my wife says this is the best champagne we've had in recent memory, and I would describe this as Chevalier Montrachet with bubbles. On the nose: rich creamy vanilla lemon chiffon, soft honey, hazelnut, perfectly balanced richness and fruit. On the palate: soft mousse, fantastic acidity and richness, lemon, grilled nuts, fantastic density, and a soft, dark, finish. Wow, absolutely spectacular.

Jun 19th, 2021
Larry Frierson

Expected better. Not much going on. Could be a bad bottle.

Expected better. Not much going on. Could be a bad bottle.

Jul 21st, 2019
Joe Catanese

Long finish of apples and brioche. Fantastic for the price.

Long finish of apples and brioche. Fantastic for the price.

Aug 13th, 2018
Roberto Carli

Ohhh happy new year!!!

Ohhh happy new year!!!

Jan 1st, 2018
Francisco Figueroa

Nice, lots of acidity, green apple, not toasty enough, compared to prior vintages.

Nice, lots of acidity, green apple, not toasty enough, compared to prior vintages.

Oct 31st, 2017