Dumenil joined the 'Special Club' group in 2012 and this is their second release. For a wine to become a 'Special Club' offering, it must be the very best that a producer can achieve. It has to be grown, produced, bottled and matured entirely at the members estate. The finished wine will have been blind tasted twice before a panel of judges to see if it meets the 'Special Club' criteria, and if not to standard, cannot be released.

A 'Special Club' release is the prestige cuvee and 'essence' of each individual producer  - always a guarantee of quality.

The Dumenil Special Club 2013 is a blend of 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay sourced from Chigny-les-Rose, Rilly la Montagne, and Ludes - all Premier Cru villages in the Montagne des Reims. Rigorous selection  takes place to ensure that each individual component is the finest expression available, and worthy of being a 'Special Club' release. 2013 was a low yielding vintrage but of exceptional quality in the Montagne des Reims. Still very youthful, showing white floral and brioche notes on the nose. The palate is very fine, there is an underlying power from the Pinot overlayed by the elegance and finesse of the Chardonnay component. Quite refined and linear and hints at how well the wine will evolve for many years to come. 

The Duménil family joined the Club Trésors de Champagne in 2012, and their Special Club is an outstanding first attempt by any measure! A pretty pale-straw hue celebrates this elegant season on the cool north-facing slopes of the Montagne de Reims. Chardonnay and pinot noir unite to compelling effect, in a refreshing and primary style true to both place and season. Crunchy apple and lemon are granted depth by the succulent notes of white peach, underscored by fine chalk minerality. The elegant acid line of 2012 is the focus here, holding the finish very long, perfectly harmonised with integrated dosage. A wine of restraint rather than showy glamour, true to the integrity of its vineyards, and all the better for it. 94pts Tyson Stelzer 'Champagne Guide 2020-2021'

(For those seeking Vegan-friendly wines, this has received compliance cerification from 'Eve Vegan')