André Clouet Silver Brut Nature

What to expect - Pinot noir specialist. If you love Blanc de Noirs, look at Clouet's wines - Sensational producer, well-known for his Pinot noir - Pair with creamy oysters or Sushi Jean-François Clouet’s zero-dosage ideal is manifested with superb clarity, showcasing pinot noir of such depth and richness that it has absolutely no need for dosage. The great 2012 season brings tension and precision, still upholding a taut acid line and primary freshness of lemon and white cherry fruit. Barrel fermentation unites with bottle age to lay out a magnificently complex landscape of gingernut biscuits, hazelnuts, fruit mince spice, coffee and praline. Pronounced chalk mineral acidity provides sea salt definition, with a creamy, frothy texture which contrasts notes of fine but firm dry extract heightened in barrels. A zero dosage of persistence, tension and confidence. Tyson Stelzer Technical details Grande Réserve with zero dosage; 100% Bouzy and Ambonnay pinot noir; reserves from 2009, 2008, 2005 and 2002; 2.5 years on lees; 30% fermented in Sauternes barriques from Doisy Daëne; zero dosage. About the house A winemaking family of more than 2 centuries, the founder was a printer in Louis XV's court of Versailles and the wines are cellared under the family’s 17th century village house. The style of the labels reflects their heritage. Bouzy and Ambonnay are the epicentre of pinot noir in Champagne, and the Clouet family is the privileged custodian of eight hectares of estate vines in the best middle slopes of both villages. These are rich and concentrated expressions of pinot noir, 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 small and relatively unknown grower ranks high among Champagne’s finest practitioners of pinot noir – and represents one of the best value of all.