File this offer under “cellar maintenance.” Or maybe “party preparedness.” A new shipment of André Clouet’s non-vintage Champagne, the “Brut Grande Réserve,” recently landed in our warehouse, and while we’re loathe to bombard you with emails, we thought you’d want to know about it.
Coming in under $40 despite containing 100% Pinot Noir from the Grand Cru villages of Ambonnay and Bouzy, this powerful, expressive sparkler has become a value-for-dollar benchmark for us—a wine that exemplifies everything we’re trying to accomplish at SommSelect. Whether you’re in need of a re-stock or are discovering this impeccable ‘grower-producer’ for the first time, this is the day!
This wine features incredibly delicate bubbles and has a light golden-yellow core that moves to green reflections on the rim. Aromas of dried yellow apple, dried pineapple, preserved lemon, freshly-baked croissant, white mushrooms, honeysuckle, and gardenia jump from the glass. The concentrated palate evolves to deliver red fruits with hints of red currant alongside lemon curd, hazelnut, and brioche. It’s a wine that masterfully walks a high wire between the full-bodied, rich mouthfeel and the crisp acidity and stony minerality we all crave from the best Champagnes. To allow the magnificent aromatics of this Champagne to really flourish, avoid serving in thin, traditional flutes. Opt instead for a white wine stem or a tulip Champagne stem and serve just below cellar temperature (about 50 degrees). And, by all means, pair it with some food. In a previous offer we suggested trying it with some homemade steak tartare, and quite frankly, that’s hard to beat—here’s the recipe again, in case you missed it. Enjoy!