Chalk soils have long been considered one of the key resources enabling the Champagne region to produce such intense and refined wines. Aiming to highlight this relationship, Andre Clouet have released a new wine in their range further dialling up the crisp and salty flavours so prevalent in wines from these chalk rich soils. As a 100% Chardonnay cuvee, this initial release of "Chalky" is entirely from the outstanding 2013 vintage, with vineyard sources one third from the southern slopes of the Montagne de Reims, and two thirds on the Cote de Blancs. After pressing, fermentation takes place in small stainless steel tanks before being aged for seven years in the bottle, disgorged early in 2021 with 6g/L dosage. Expect a lively, salty, mineral inflected wine that is a perfect aperitif or wine to drink alongside fresh oysters.
Other Reviews....
Brimming with fresh apple, lemon and wild-berry aromas underlined by a note of freshly baked baguette, this begins so charming, then it turns in a fascinating mineral direction with a pronounced saline quality. The excitement comes from the tension between these two sides of this very distinctive champagne. Very long, chalky finish. 100% chardonnay from the 2013 vintage. Drink now.
93 points
JamesSuckling.com
