Andre Clouet Silver Brut Nature NV

Andre Clouet Silver Brut Nature NV

'When I first met flamboyant young chef de cave Jean-Francois Clouet, he didn't show me through his winery or cellars, didn't walk me through rows of vines, or even pour his champagnes. He took me to the top of the vineyards, on the edge of the forest overlooking Bouzy, and recounted the remarkable sweep of history that had played out in a view of this place over two millennia: Attila then Hu, the Battle of the Catalaunian Fields, the birth of the monarchy, the crusades, the Templars, Marie Antoinette. Then he showed me original documents of his village in his family archives, and took me to another part of town to recount another branch of history. 'To understand Champagne you need to understand its political history', he said. 

For Clouet's family, that history began here in 1492, and his family still resides in the house his ancestors built in Bouzy in 1741. Today, 284 harvests on,  he still uses the cellar they dug under the house for storing wine, one of the oldest in the region. 'My family was making wine in Champagne at the same time Dom Perignon was starring!' he exclaims. The history lives on, not only in the spectacular labels designed by Jean-Francois' great grandfather in 1911 (harking back to the family's printer heritage, making books for the king since 1491), but in a traditional approach in the vineyards. 'I like the idea of the work of human hands in pruning, performing the same actions as my grandfather and event the Romans, who planted vines here 2000 years ago' 

'Bouzy and Ambonnay are the epicentre of Pinot Noir in Champagne, and the Clouet family is the privileged custodian of 8ha of estate vines in the best middle slopes of both villages. These are rich and concentrated expressions of Pinot, wines of deep complexity , multifaceted interest and engaging character, yet with remarkable restraint and sense of control. Tasting after tasting confirm my impression that this relatively unknown and fast-ascending house ranks high among Champagne's finest practitioners of Pinot Noir - and represents one of the best value of all. - Tyson Stelzer, Champagne Guide

The Silver bottling is 'the natural essence of Pinot Noir' according to Jean-Francois. 100% Pinot Noir - 65% Base wine from the current vintage, with 35% reserve made up of 2 to 5 year old wine kept in tank. 10% wood utilised prior to 36 months tirage and disgorged 2025 without any dosage!

A bold and generous champagne for Brut Nature, the bone-dry finish mellowed by the ripe-apricot character, plus hints of toast and melted butter. Not super-elegant, perhaps, but gives a lot of pleasure and has entirely its own style. 100% pinot noir. Drink now. 93 Points - James Suckling