Clandestin Les Semblables Boréal

When Bertrand Gautherot, one of the most renowned vignerons in the entire Champagne region, and his Burgundy son-in-law Benoit Doussot, discovered how grapes grown in some of the best plots in the Cote des Bar blend with conventional grapes from the area’s cooperatives, they couldn't resist. They decided to set up their own project called Clandestin and show the world that old vineyards that used to be considered inferior because they were planted in cooler areas can actually produce wines with greater complexity and depth.

They have rescued several old plots of land near the small village of Buxières-sur-Arce (Aube) and have set to work to prove their quality with productions like Clandestin Les Semblables Boréal. A Pinot Noir made from 20 to 35 year old vines planted in limestone soil and Kimmeridgian subsoil lying 200 metres above sea level. The vines are cultivated using organic agriculture and the harvest is carried out manually when the grapes reach optimum ripeness.

Once the Clandestin Les Semblables Boréal grapes reach the winery, they undergo a direct pressing in whole bunches and alcoholic fermentation takes place with native yeasts. The wine is then aged in French oak barrels and, without refining or filtering, it undergoes a second fermentation in the bottle with its lees for a minimum of 24 months. Finally the champagne is disgorged with a dosage of 0 gr/l.

Made in the AOC Champagne, Clandestin Les Semblables Boréal is the perfect example of the best purity and expression of the terroir. Deep power and concentration, without adding or taking away anything.