Clouet is one of the greatest ‘grower-producers’ in Champagne—a house known for bold, expressive, Pinot Noir-driven Champagnes from the Grand Cru villages of Bouzy and Ambonnay. “Cuvée 1911” is their top-of-the-line offering—an ever-evolving blend of the estate’s best reserve wines from 10 small parcels around Bouzy. This is as intense and opulent as Champagne gets. Only 1,911 bottles released annually. 

The Clouet family entered the spotlight when it became the official printers for the Royal Court at Versailles in the mid-18th century (hence the beauty of their wine labels). Their estate in Bouzy, which current owner Jean-François Clouet still calls home, dates back even further! Beneath this historic site lies their labyrinthine chalk cellar, which still contains partial false walls that hid precious bottles during the Nazi invasion in World War II. With all this historic grandeur surrounding him, Jean-François draws from tradition and time-honored techniques while respectively embracing modern technology into the mix. What you’re getting in “Cuvée 1911” is a little piece of performance art in the form of a bottle. 

Why You'll Love it: 

• 100% Grand Cru Pinot Noir,  “1911” is sourced from 10 of their best lieux-dits in Bouzy
• Unrivaled energy that overflows with rich yet supremely finessed layers of ripe fruit, atomized minerals and developing flavors
• Only 1,911 bottles released annually world wide

How to Serve it:

• To allow the magnificent aromatics to really blossom, avoid serving in a narrow, traditional Champagne flute
• Serve in a white wine stem, a more open tulip-shaped Champagne stem or a large Burgundy stem
• This wine can most definitely handle main courses, but with this disgorgement’s surging energy and freshness, your bottle may disappear before the food hits the table. Enjoy!