n.v. André Clouet, Brut Rosé, Grand Cru Champagne “Rosé No. 3” A Bouzy, France.
I really enjoyed the latest disgorgement of Clouet’s Grand Cru Brut Rosé (No. 3) with its bright strawberry, racy citrus and yeasty rich palate that captures some chalky elements, mineral tones and delicate rose petal aromatics in a bone dry sparkler, making it easy to enjoy both by itself and with a meal. Excellent again from Jean-François Clouet, the winegrower and cellar master here, who specializes in mainly Pinot Noir led cuvées and has a serious collection of Grand Cru sites to draw from, allowing him to produce his elegant and age worthy Champagne(s). This Brut Rosé saw 75% 2018, 10% 2017, 11% 2015 and 2016, along with about 4% Bouzy Rouge still wine, also from 2018 vintage and it was made and aged in exclusively in stainless steel tank, adding to the purity and precision. The winery says that the Clouet N°3 was inspired by Coco Chanel, the number introduced to denote the style, noting the color is slightly different each year, with the number 3 representing a light, elegant apéritif style, which you can see in this elegant edition. I usually go for Extra Brut grower fizz, the drier the better, but this Clouet Brut Rosé really hit the spot on the night I had it and was especially wonderful with a selection of small bites, easily handling an array of flavors and being a gracious companion to all, adding some distilled raspberry and pomegranate notes with food.
The André Clouet Champagne house, as noted before in my reviews, was originally founded back in 1741, is run by the noted Jean-François Clouet, who was born and raised in a Bouzy and still lives in the family’s 18th century village house built by his ancestors. Again as mentioned before, this house is a grower producer that strives to continue the regions tradition, but still is driven to elevate the quality levels here. The Clouet family farms some incredible Grand Cru plots around their home village of a Bouzy, as well as in the famous and very coveted middle slopes of Ambonnay, with vines in the very best lieux-dits in the Champagne region. I have always been impressed by Clouet’s lineup of Champagne(s), but especially so, of the zero dosage Silver label all Pinot Noir Blanc de Noirs, as well as this fresher Brut Rosé and their Grande Réserve, all of which which I highly recommend! The story goes that André Clouet in 1770 entertained France’s nobility, including Marie Antoinette, with his white sparkling wine, causing a sensation by adding small drops of his Bouzy rouge to their glasses, making them glisten with a salmon/pink hue, which caused a craze for his Rosé. A Bouzy is one of the most famous Pinot Noir terroirs in Champagne and such, the wines seem to have an extra degree of power, structure and depth, this is true in the Clouet wines, which show a fine tannin poise and this rewarding and generous Brut Rosé carries it with grace and style. The prices have risen in the last few years, but Clouet still remains a go to house for value.
($55 Est.) 93 Points, grapelive