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Named after the number of bottles that Andre Clouet produced, this is one of the signature Champagnes of IWM, while it lasts. A blend of three vintages of grand cru Pinot Noir from Bouzy, this wine presents a full-bodied package that is able to deliver power with finesse thanks to its mousse-like texture that’s backed with bracing acidity. Fantastic, and drinking now, festively.
- Country : France
- Region: Champagne
Since the dawn of time, special meaning has been attached to the number 3—giving birth to countless beliefs, proverbs and superstitions. In Champagne there’s even a small cult of producers who believe that the greatest possible wine is produced not by a single great vintage, but by combining three of them. The most famous of this group is of course Laurent-Perrier, whose famed Cuvée Grand Siecle was—from the 1950s until they succumbed to fashion in the 1990s—always a magical blend of three vintages. More recently, the grower Jean-François Clouet has— with his André Clouet 1911—resurrected Laurent-Perrier’s idea with stunning success.
Three is not the only number held in a superstitous light at Clouet, as the number 1911 hold great signifigance in its own right, tying in another facet to domaine’s tale. Not only is 1911 the year of the winery’s inception (founded by Jean-François’ great-grandfather, André Clouet), but in rememberance, the concious decision was made to produce merely 1,911 bottles with each cuvee. Even the picture depicted on the wines label was captured in 1911.
But with only 1,911 bottles (less than 160 cases) made, few Champagne lovers will ever have the chance to experience it.
Compared by Richard Juhlin to Roederer Cristal, André Clouet 1911 is spellbinding. A blend of three vintages of grand cru Pinot Noir from Bouzy, 1911 is both ethereally elegant and exotically rich. One of the keys to 1911’s extraordinary combination of power and finesse is that half the blend is from 1996, perhaps Champagne’s greatest vintage since 1928. To this foundation, Clouet added 1⁄4 each of the luscious 1995 and the charmingly floral 1997 vintages to fashion a “1911” that has drawn raves from Champagne commentators.
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