José Michel Champagne Three-Pack

• NV Brut Tradition Champagne (70% Pinot Meunier and 30% Chardonnay)
• NV Champagne Pinot Meunier (100% Pinot Meunier)
• Champagne Special Club 2013 (40% Pinot Meunier and 60% Chardonnay)

$210 $169.99

José Michel is a fifth-generation winemaker, and he has been at it for more than fifty years. José is a founding member of the "Special Club" Tresors de Champagne group. He is considered a pioneer in organic viticulture in the Champagne region.

The elegance and unique flavor profile of the house style comes from Pinot Meunier dominant cuvées. The family's rich history of winemaking makes means that the estate can pull from a deep cellar of reserve wines that is uncommon among small, grower champagne producers.

The Wines

Brut Tradition NV

The non-vintage Brut is a blend in which the 70% Pinot Meunier forms the base and 30% Chardonnay adds complexity and finesse. In addition to the base vintage (typically 2 years old), the NV Brut benefits from being blended with reserve wines that are often 4 or 5 years old. The champagne is typically 2+ years “sur lattes” and carries a dosage of 9 grams.

On the nose: An aromatic, seductive bouquet with hints of citrus fruits, lemon, mandarin.

Taste: Bears intensity and good length on the palate. A full and structured palate, with hints of citrus and red fruit.

Champagne Pinot Meunier NV

Although historically Jose Michel made many “mono-cépage” bottlings of Pinot Meunier, he never advertised the fact on the label and when some west coast customers visited him around 2007 and suggested that he do just that, his response was to ask if anyone would buy it. The small cadre of west coast enthusiasts all said that they would and the rest is history. The Pinot Meunier is produced from a single vintage but does not state the vintage on the label because the Champagne does not necessarily spend the requisite minimum of three years “sur lattes”. The style highlights the unique aromatics and fruit flavors of Champagne’s indigenous grape. The level of dosage is 8g/l.

“The two great exceptions that prove the rule about the maturing potential of Pinot Meunier are Krug and José Michel.” - Richard Juhlin, 2000 Champagnes

On the nose: Unveils a pleasant, exotic fruit flavor with hints of anise

Taste: Fresh, rich, and fragrant in exactly the same way as the nose, with its exotic aromas and citrus fruits.

Champagne Special Club 2013

The Club de Viticulteurs is a group of independent Champagne producers who have come together in order to promote the high quality of their work. The José Michel Special Club was chosen by this group as an ambassador of quality and given the right to use the Special Club label and antique bottle. The Special Club is a blend of 40% Pinot Meunier and 60% Chardonnay. The vines are all at least 35+ years old. The champagne is disgorged according to demand and currently has six years on the lees “sur lattes” with dosage carrying just 6.5 grams.

On the nose: Elegant aromatic complexity with superb finesse, floral hints of rose with hazelnut, and grilled almond aromas.

Taste: This wine is SUPERB, full rich volume, generous and unctuous, with undertones of toasted bread aroma, stewed yellow-fleshed fruit with a slight floral touch.