Andre Clouet Grand Cru Brut Rose No.3

André Clouet Grand Cru Brut Rosé No.3 comes from Bouzy, a grand cru village in Champagne's Montagne de Reims known for still red Pinot Noir and for rosé bottlings that carry uncommon structure and depth. This wine draws its tension from the chalk subsoil that defines Bouzy's terroir, giving the fruit a mineral spine and a firmness rare among entry-level rosés. The house style at Clouet emphasizes precision over opulence, and this bottling shows restraint where many competitors reach for sweetness. The Clouet family has farmed in Bouzy since 1910, working exclusively with grand cru fruit from their own parcels and a handful of trusted growers in the village. Pinot Noir is the dominant variety here, as it is across Bouzy, and the rosé is made by adding a portion of still red wine to the base blend rather than by maceration, a method that allows the house to control color and tannin independently. Fermentation happens in temperature-controlled stainless steel to preserve the bright acidity that defines the Clouet profile, and the wine spends a minimum of three years on its lees before disgorgement. The chalk beneath Bouzy vines imparts a saline minerality that runs through the entire range, and it shows clearly in this rosé. The wine opens with red berry fruit—wild strawberry, red currant, a touch of cranberry—framed by a fine bead and a dry, almost chalky texture on the mid-palate. Tannin is present but finely integrated, giving the wine grip without weight, and the acidity is lively enough to lift the fruit without turning tart. The finish is long and vibrant, with lingering detail and a mineral edge that calls for another sip. Pair it with charcuterie, salmon rillettes, or roasted chicken with herbs; it has enough structure to handle food but enough elegance to drink on its own as an aperitif. André Clouet Grand Cru Brut Rosé No.3 is available for pickup at our Lincoln Park bottle shop at 1128 W Armitage Ave, local Chicago delivery, or nationwide shipping.