Clandestin is a joint project by Bertrand Gautherot of Vouette & Sorbée and Benoit Dousset, who originally comes from Burgundy . The goal of this inspiring partnership is to produce a terroir Champagne from the Aube whose origin has so far been undiscovered. The word "clandestin" can be translated as "hidden" or "secret".
The prerequisite for the uncompromising clear focus of their work is the quality of the grapes and their origin. The grapes used come only from purely organic and biodynamically farmed vineyards and are subject to the same high standards for which Vouette & Sorbée is known.
The vines must be at least 20 years old and the sun exposure must be the same. Due to the unconditional quality requirement, only ripe and flawless grapes of the highest quality are processed further, which is why dosage is not necessary and would alter the character.
The vineyards are located above Buxières, planted with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vines. Normally, south, east, and southeast sites are preferred due to greater sun exposure, but this is what makes Clandestin exceptional: here the wines are produced exclusively from the cooler, west-facing vineyards .
In the cellar, the harvested grapes are handled with the utmost respect, and thanks to the use of gravity, pumping can be avoided. The careful and gentle pressing is carried out just as meticulously as the decision of which grapes go into which barrel. Depending on the quantity and ripeness, each parcel is vinified separately. Only native yeasts are used during the first fermentation. The wines are aged in neutral French oak barrels (300 l and 500 l). Bottling takes place after 15 months of aging on the lees without filtration and no dosage is added.
