The 'Club de Viticulteurs Champenois' began in 1971 as a way for the smaller growers to join forces in order to market their wines. With over a dozen different producers working together they felt they could more easily compete with the larger Champagne houses. They created the 'Special Club' bottling with the idea that it would always be the best of what each producer had to offer and would always be presented in the same oddly shaped bottle.
Henri Goutorbe is one of the leading vine-nurserymen in Champagne and the owner of Hotel Castel Jeanson in Ay, along with being one of the great small growers.
His wine is packed with red fruit, predominately cherry, and is bright, generous and has an amazingly long finish.
The Special Club has malic and sorrel aromas and shows great length. 2002 is a stellar vintage.