The producer
Champagne André Clouet works Grand Cru vineyards in Bouzy and Ambonnay, on chalk soils and preferred middle slopes, with plantings almost entirely devoted to Pinot Noir. The cellar uses stainless steel tanks and Sauternes barrels for fermentation with native yeasts, while Un Jour de 1911 receives full barrel ageing. The range includes Grande Réserve, Silver, Rosé, Millésime, Le Clos de Bouzy and Un Jour de 1911.
Known for
Pinot Noir Grand Cru Champagne
Notable facts
- The Clouet family served as official printers to Louis XV's Royal Court at Versailles.
- Fermentation uses stainless steel tanks and Sauternes barrels with native yeasts.
- Un Jour de 1911 is released at 1,911 bottles per release.
- Silver is a zero dosage Blanc de Noirs Grand Cru Champagne.
From the atlas
Champagne André Clouet
A Bouzy rooted Champagne house with Grand Cru vineyards in Bouzy and Ambonnay, mostly Pinot Noir, and the rare Un Jour de 1911 cuvée.
At A Glance
| Field | Detail |
| Region | Champagne |
| Villages | Bouzy and Ambonnay |
| Main grape | Pinot Noir |
| Signature wine | Un Jour de 1911 |
| Vineyard scale | 8 hectares of Grand Cru vineyards |
The Producer
Champagne André Clouet is a family Champagne house with vineyards planted almost entirely to Pinot Noir. Its range includes the lees aged Grande Réserve, Rosé, zero dosage Silver, the named cuvées Millésime and Le Clos de Bouzy, and Un Jour de 1911. The bottles include both broad cuvées and wines defined by a particular vineyard or cellar treatment.
Place
The vineyards lie in Bouzy and Ambonnay, two Champagne villages with Grand Cru status. Grand Cru is the region's highest village classification, and the holdings occupy the preferred middle slopes of both villages. The range then narrows the geography into named bottles, including Le Clos de Bouzy and Un Jour de 1911.
Soil And Site
Chalk underlies the vineyards. Its porous surface drains excess rain while deeper layers retain water, supporting even ripening and helping preserve acidity. Chalk can also leave a dry, stony impression in sparkling wine, a general effect of the ground rather than a flavour added in the cellar.
Story
The Clouet family built its vineyard holdings over two centuries. The range carries that work through separate bottle roles. Le Clos de Bouzy comes from a walled vineyard directly behind the cellar. Millésime is 100 percent Pinot Noir aged 4 years sur lattes, the Champagne practice of resting bottles on their lees after the second fermentation. One bottle is defined by a vineyard wall, another by time in the cellar.
Vineyards And Cellar
Fermentation uses both stainless steel tanks and Sauternes barrels, with native yeasts. Stainless steel is a neutral vessel that allows temperature control, while barrel fermentation brings more oxygen contact. Native yeasts are microorganisms present in the fruit and cellar, rather than a cultured strain added from outside. Un Jour de 1911 receives 100 percent barrel ageing.
Wines
Grande Réserve is a 100 percent Pinot Noir cuvée aged on lees. Silver is a zero dosage Blanc de Noirs Grand Cru Champagne, described as delicate and high toned. Rosé is the range's rosé cuvée. Millésime and Le Clos de Bouzy are named cuvées, while Un Jour de 1911 is the limited release.
In The Glass
Grande Réserve has a fresh bouquet of high toned fruit and hazelnut, followed by red fruit, honeysuckle and lemon on the palate. The wine has balanced, persuasive character with the freshness carried through its fruit and acidity.
Rosé opens with wild strawberries, raspberries and pomegranate, alongside cherry blossom and chalky minerality. Its palate is rich yet finely balanced, with creamy mousse, vibrant acidity, red berries, citrus zest and a hint of spice.
A Bottle To Understand It
Un Jour de 1911 is the bottle to open first. It is 100 percent Pinot Noir from the estate's ten best lieux dits in Bouzy. The wine is dark yellow with abundant fine bubbles. Vanilla, honey, bread crust, sweet pastry, toasted apple and citrus foam lead into a creamy palate of yeast, almond, red fruit, apricot and pear. Pleasant acidity carries an extremely long aftertaste.
Anecdote
In 1741, the Clouet family founded the house. Earlier generations had served as official printers to Louis XV's Royal Court at Versailles. The printing trade later appeared in the bottle design: Champagne André Clouet deliberately encodes that family heritage in intricate engraving style labels. The founding year and the royal court connection belong to the house's written and visual presentation, with the labels carrying the printer's craft into Champagne. The date remains part of the house's presentation today.
Final Word
Champagne André Clouet joins Grand Cru vineyards in Bouzy and Ambonnay with a Pinot Noir led range that moves from lees aged Grande Réserve to zero dosage Silver, named site wines and Un Jour de 1911.
Sources
- https://www.sacredthirstselections.com/andr-clouet
- https://andreclouet.com/est-1741/
- https://burgundycave.com/blogs/news/andre-clouet-champagne-including-un-jour-de-1911
- https://www.decanter.com/wine-reviews/france/champagne/andre-clouet-grande-reserve-brut-champagne-france-12822/
- https://champagneloungebar.com/2020/10/02/we-tasted-andre-clouet-un-jour-de-1911/
- https://sf.flatiron-wines.com/products/andre-clouet-champagne-rose-nv