Andre Clouet Champagne Grande Reserve NV

Clouet is a pinot noir house with access to 8ha of vines of the best sun-kissed slopes of Bouzy and Ambonnay, both Grand Cru villages in Montagne de Reims. The Clouet family have worked in the area since 1751, along the way acquiring prized plots of the region.
 
Bouzy ranks amongst the greatest terroirs of Champagne. It’s one of the warmest in the Montagne de Reims and according to Champagne aficionado Peter Liem ‘thanks to a sunny, south-facing exposition, it's known for ripe, full-bodied wines, a primary reason for its historical fame.’ It’s a Grand Cru Village where pinot noir exudes tension and muscularity.
 
Starting as growers, they worked the vines for centuries selling their grapes to the bigger houses of Champagne, making just a modest amount under their own label. That is until Jean Francois Clouet took over winemaking duties. He is the most talented of his lineage. Like him, his wines are exuberant and hedonistic on approach. This is artfully countered on the palate by fineness and sinewy structure showcasing where the genius lies, the delicate interplay of light and shade.
 
To propel the grapes to greater heights, winemaking standards are incredibly high. The wines see extended lees aging and are amped with a large proportion of reserve wines – in the humble Grande Reserve over 50% of the wine comes from reserve stocks. This is unheard of at this level. It’s liked they’ve turned the hierarchy of Champagne on its head. A solera is maintained with a perpetual blend dating back to 2002, the secret behind the wines multifaceted nature, nougaty richness and silken texture.
 
The Silver Brut Nature is also pinot focused. The grapes are picked full of flavour, think black cherries, red apples and forest floor and no dosage is added. Once again over 35% of the blend comes from reserve wines dating back to 2010. This has laser-like penetration, countered by a ripe core of fruit and a minerally undertow. Purity and clarity are at play here.
 
The Rose weaves lightness with power. Named as an ode to Coco Chanel (No. 3), it’s the ‘little black dress’ of roses. Savoury and sleek, but also elegant and fine it’s a refined expression of pinot combining florals and earthy mushroom tones. Stelzer describes it as ‘a pristine and enticingly priced rose.’ A large 50% of reserve wine is added from a solera of 10 vintages, adding depth and richness. - Importer Note