Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

It has been a while since I’ve opened a Clemence. A favorite of mine & Sofia once upon a time. Still drink it, just not as often as I have moved to mostly Extra Brut. This is a Brut at 8g. Excellent Champagne & value at $44.99.

I believe there are only two resellers you can acquire it, one east coast & one west-K&L. You have to buy it pretty quickly once they get their container. It took several yrs building that relationship as Launois is careful about who they let resell their cuvées. In fact, it is even difficult to get in France. K&L has standing orders from some French citizens they ship back to France once they receive it. Kinda crazy.

The palate has nice mousse with lively acidity and micro oxygenation. Lime/lemon pulp w/ zest, stone fruits-white dominant, grapefruit w/ pith, bruised red/golden apples, Bosc pear, caramel, vanillin, some yeast, baguette crust, white spice, gritty, grey volcanics, chalky bits, limestone marl, oyster shells, yellow flowers/lilies, spring flowers with a little greens mixed in, very good acidy, well; made/balanced/tensioned with a smartly polished, elegant finish that lasts minutes and land on excellent minerality.

If you get to Champagne, visit. They have a huge museum of champagne/wine artifacts that date back to BC. My two pics do not show its enormity. They are about 35-40 minutes south of Reims.

They are the only producer I know of that places a rubber casket attached to the bottom of their corks. So, next to never do their cuvées have cork taint.

Enjoying it with the Jasper Hill Farms - Willoughby, buttery washed soft white cheese. Try with Rainbow Crisp crackers or warm baguette. Also, on apples with and w/o honey. — 5 months ago

Byron Hewett

9.3

Delicious. Viscous and sweet. Rancio notes. — 6 years ago

Jason Gallo-Gaffner

8.9

Very good for the price — 6 years ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.0

More fruit but with some dusty tannins. Spicy aromas with hints of licorice and balsamic vinegar. Ripe red fruit flavors with that same licorice note. Very pleasant. Great vintage. Thanks for sharing, Ron B. — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Consistently delicious and great value in Grand Cru Blanc de Blanc Champagne.

Fresh, reductive, lively on the palate. Green apple, lemon, lime zest, baguette crust, pineapple, white peach, lanolin, cream, perfect chalk & minerality, yellow & white florals, beautiful acidity and rich polished finish that persists.

Photos of; one of their Grand Cru vineyards, two views of their historical museum of champagne/wine artifacts since it’s beginnings and Launois. — 7 years ago

Michael Granovsky

9.2

Had at the dinner in car museum with Robert and company. Expected more body — 8 years ago

ESF

10

birth year treat with close friends: oxidized magical goodness, still had freshness & acidity, cornucopia of flavors & aromas ranging from oloroso sherry to port. bottles are meant to be drank & not stored like museum pieces — a year ago

Byron Hewett

9.1

Very tasty. Acidity here is fading a bit. Excellent with Bananas Foster. — 5 years ago

Scott Rowe

9.4

Missed the boat thinking it was younger than 10 years.
Saline clear in the glass, acid for days, 11% alc helps keep this beauty young. — 6 years ago

Erin Sales

9.4

Marsanne. Very interesting and unique. Rich — 6 years ago

Maxim Parkhomenko

9.5

Cite du vin. Bordeaux museum tasting. The best ever..! — 7 years ago

Rufus King

8.9

Light French (Pays d’Oc) rosé at Museum Cafe in Toronto — 7 years ago

Luis Descaire

9.1

Loved this vintage. 2014. Very delicious tempranillo! — 8 years ago

Clay Bullwinkel

9.6

You’ve got to be kidding me. A 2007 Salvo Foti wine. A museum piece. Wonderful Etna Rosso minerals, herbs, deep red fruit. Thank you Alex, for finding and gifting it. — 2 years ago

Winston Jones

Host OrganicWineReview, Assistant Buyer Savvy Cellar Wine Bar

8.9

Classic Pouilly. What a time to be in Paris! Sitting on the balcony of my AirBNB enjoying the sounds of the Marais. Today restaurant, cafés and museum restrictions begin to ease. That alone is making this wine taste good. I’ll add tasting notes tomorrow, when my palate isn’t clouded by the shear weight of the moment. — 5 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

A museum release from the winery - I bought this at a Shaw and Smith tasting in Brisbane a few years ago. An asparagus note initially which blew off. Asian spices, raspberry, earthy mineral notes on nose, carrying through to the medium to full bodied palate. A nice balance between cool climate and warm climate characteristics. Finishes with a little astringency. — 6 years ago

Nick Prangnell

9.8

Had this in Franschoek. We bought nany bottles, 2 made it back to the UK. Sad no more...until next time — 6 years ago

Peter van den Besselaar

8.9

Vintage 2018 / very tasteful. I wonder is there is anything they can not make at this cooperative? Good effort. / At museum de Pont in Tilburg — 7 years ago

Jonathan Reimer

10

“It belongs in a museum” — 8 years ago

Michael Granovsky

9.1

Had at the dinner with Robert in the car museum. Everyone loved it but I think Lynch Bages more interesting — 8 years ago