Gimonnet Brut Champagne Spécial Club Cramant 2016

97 points Tyson Stelzer (The Champagne Guide): "(tasted in 2023 in France; 100% Cramant chardonnay; 40% Terres des Buissons, 23% Champ du Prevot, Grande Plante and Croix, 21% Bauves, 10% Au-Dessus du Gros Mont, 6.6% Terroir; natural alcohol 11.3; aged more than 4 years on lees; 4g/L dosage; 3880 bottles). The confidence of Gimonnet’s Cramant is a sensation, and the interplay of fruit, complexity and structure is profound in 2016. The most pristine white fruits are penetrated by an eruption of glistening, saline chalk minerality that froths and glistens, elevating a finish of energy and tension, underscored by a tremendous beam of brilliant acidity. An incredible Cramant with a very long future before it, this is a vintage that encapsulates Didier’s description of his favourite village as lacy – airy and silky. (Edition VII; 2024)"

95-96 points Essi Avellan, MW: "100% Chardonnay. Special Club Cramant is a luxurious blend from old vines ranging from 40 to more than 100 years old. Buissons dominates at 40%, with Hautes Bauves, Champ du Prévot, Grande Plante, Croix and Chalet adding to the complexity. There is subdued power already to the nose: ripe peach and apricot, with iodine and light toasty and spicy whiffs. Really concentrated on the beautifully acid-lined palate of both richness and minerality. It is compact, with plenty of restraint for the time being, waiting to express more. Really chalky and saline towards the pure and lingering finish. (Feb 2023)"

95 points Tom Hewson (Decanter): "Of all Didier Gimonnet's single-village Special Club bottlings, it is Cramant that leaps out with its explosive, toasty lemon and chalky savour, evocative of some of the great vineyards of the village even with a moderate, fresh nut and cream richness just starting to build over some of the year's compact and sweet Mirabelle fruit. With its linear, accelerating palate and svelte build it's a top-tier parcellaire that seems tailor-made for longer ageing. Drinking Window: 2024-2034. (3/2/24)"

95 points James Suckling: "Deep nose of preserved and candied lemons with bread dough and toasted baguette. Concentrated and well structured, but the chalky minerality and the lively fine mousse give this a wonderful brightness and energy. Long really crystalline finish. From vines planted between 1911 and 1982 in the Terres des Buissons, Bauves and Champ de Prevot sites. Bottled in April 2017 and disgorged in November 2022. Drink or hold. (7/4/23)"

93 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "[$149 list] The 2016 Extra Brut Spécial Club Cramant Grand Cru is airy and light on its feet. A Champagne of total understatement, this hovers over the palate with sublime finesse. This is 100% Chardonnay sourced from a blend of multiple old vine Grand Cru plots (some more than 100 years old). Crushed rocks, lemon peel, mint, white flowers, pear and tangerine oil all take shape. The Cramant is not an obvious or overt Champagne, but it is undeniably beautiful and alluring. Dosage is 4 grams per liter. Disgorged: November, 2022. Drink: 2023-2031. (Nov 2023)"