Clandestin Les Sembables

The inaugural release of the golden colored Clandestin NV Brut Nature Les Semblables is 100% Pinot Noir from the 2015 harvest. Cultivated on cooler, west-facing, organically farmed slopes located on Kimmeridgian limestone soils in the Aube, it fermented in French oak and was kept sur lie for at least 15 months. This is a clear, coolish and fresh yet aromatic Pinot Noir with intense yet fine fruit and almost steely iodine flavors in the background. Medium-bodied yet firm and focused on the palate, this is a steely, superbly vinous, very elegant, mineral and pretty "Burgundian" Champagne whose bubbles are so fine that you almost don't feel them after a while in the glass. The wine has a delicately creamy/chalky texture and nice, vinous grip but remains pure, very fine and elegant from the beginning to the finish. The iodine taste makes this not just an excellent aperitif but also a lovely Champagne to pair with fish, seafood and white meat. My sample was disgorged in September 2017 (R15). Tasted May 2018. - Stephan Reinhardt.