Henri GoutorbeAÿ, Grande Vallée
Producer profile
PL not mentioned in the book but see his website. Goutorbe family owns six hectares in Aÿ grand cru, "the jewel" of their vineyard holdings. Separate parcel vinification and stainless steel fermentation with malolactic. "One of the few houses that make mathusalems (8 standard bottles) with the second fermentation in bottle" and they are "interesting." Stay at the family-run Castel Jeanson hotel when visiting the region. TyS no mention. ToS 88 "value". "With 20 hectares of vineyards, Henri Goutorbe is one of the more important growers in Champagne." The much-respected founder Henri passed away in 2009 at the age of 86. Today his son and grandson run the business. The family also owns one of the most significant vine nurseries "pépinières" in Champagne. "Generally excellent, rich, well-structured and powerful Champagnes - always satisfying to drink. Goutorbe's Spécial Club Grand Cru is in a different class, but the Millésime is also excellent." TT 2018 Champagne catalog page 19 (see also 2017, 2016, and 2013).
PL not mentioned in the book but see his website. Goutorbe family owns six hectares in Aÿ grand cru, "the jewel" of their vineyard holdings. Separate parcel vinification and stainless steel fermentation with malolactic. "One of the few houses that make mathusalems (8 standard bottles) with the second fermentation in bottle" and they are "interesting." Stay at the family-run Castel Jeanson hotel when visiting the region. TyS no mention. ToS 88 "value". "With 20 hectares of vineyards, Henri Goutorbe is one of the more important growers in Champagne." The much-respected founder Henri passed away in 2009 at the age of 86. Today his son and grandson run the business. The family also owns one of the most significant vine nurseries "pépinières" in Champagne. "Generally excellent, rich, well-structured and powerful Champagnes - always satisfying to drink. Goutorbe's Spécial Club Grand Cru is in a different class, but the Millésime is also excellent." TT 2018 Champagne catalog page 19 (see also 2017, 2016, and 2013).
Tasting notes
Special Club 2006. Disgorged in October 2018. Fully composite cork. Vivid and clear yellow with ebullient mousse. Jammy, raisiny, carrying associations with eiswein and sticky dates, wonderfully distinctive! Emptied Zalto Burgundy glass retains a most delicious and unmistakably rye-bread aroma. There is a slight powdery chalkiness at the end of the late-harvest aromatics. TT 2018 Champagne catalog page 20 (see also 2005 and 2004 Special Club write-ups in 2016 and 2013 catalogs. Purchased at Molly's Spirits in summer 2020 for $80. ⭐⭐⭐
Special Club 2004. Disgorged in July 2012. 24k gold yellow. The bubbles were anemic in Zalto White so I switched to Zalto Champagne with great results. Plenty of mousse on the palate. A whiff of the cellar but it's fleeting. Vibrant acidity and great balance, it's not jammy like the 2006. Stony minerality, I'm thinking beach pebbles. Interesting, nuanced, and pleasing. TT 2013 Champagne catalog page 19. Purchased at Catherine's in autumn 2020 for $90. ⭐⭐⭐
All photos and tasting notes are by @gaiwanstyle
Producer profiles and wine details are from books by Peter Liem (PL), Tyson Stelzer (TyS), Tom Stevenson (ToS), and Terry Theise (TT)
Producer profiles and wine details are from books by Peter Liem (PL), Tyson Stelzer (TyS), Tom Stevenson (ToS), and Terry Theise (TT)