I just can’t get enough of it — especially at this price. The Andre Clouet grande reserve brut is a delicious wine made from 100 per cent pinot noir with all the richness and definition that variety offers. There’s plenty of fine bead, red fruits mingled with citrus, and earthy, warm spice (think star anise and cinnamon), zesty and dry on the finish. It builds on the palate and is quite voluptuous , almost full-bodied for champagne, and, while a richer aperitif, this is much, much better with food. JANE FAULKNER, The Age Epicure

This impeccable, elegant wine shows terrific overall balance as well as complexity. I loved it. ANTONIO GALLONI

This is a stylish, harmonious wine WILLIAM KELLEY, Wine Advocate

‘…no doubt this is one of the best value Champagnes out there.’  DECANTER (on the Grande Reserve)

I have again anointed this little grower in the grand cru village of Bouzy among the top six growers in Champagne. This of course places him among the top sparkling growers on earth. My scores rank him equal to Dom Pérignon, Louis Roederer and Taittinger. And that’s mighty company! TYSON STELZER

The one and only. The undisputed king of Bouzy is back. Andre Clouet Grande Reserve NV, while stocks last. Only $74 each. All hail THE KING!

Just in time for spring too. Is it spring yet?

A quick recap for anyone who hasn’t bought this over the years. Made by the irrepressible mayor (seriously, he was recently elected mayor, which also makes him an honorary constable… couldn’t have happened to a crazier fellow) of Bouzy, containing entirely Grand Cru fruit from the best vineyards around his home town. Aged in lees for a minimum of 30 months, to build texture and cinch in freshness. A generous dollop of reserve wines, which forms the core of this gorgeous bottling, adds weight and dimension to pair with the intensely chalky, enticingly fresh feel to the palate.

Long, satisfying, full of substance and generosity of flavour but delivered in an extremely elegant and poised fashion. It’s a Champagne for all occasions. Zippy and upbeat enough for the casual aperitif. Substantial and bold enough to match with lots of food. Clear cut and beautifully poised it also makes a great oysters and canapes bubbles. There is a reason, many actually, that this is by far and away our most sought after bubbles every year.

The final reason, and in many ways, the most important, it remains unbelievable value. Great value in an area where prices keep skyrocketing and for no reason anyone but the Champenoise can explain, you can still grab a bottle of this superb family owned and run estate’s flagship wine for very little.

I do not want to bury the message here, which is that this is the best value bottle of Champagne on the market right now, but on a recent visit to see the great man, he showed us around his new venture, called… Clouet World. It is something to behold. If anyone ever gets over that way, once the restaurant etc is finished, please let us know so we can point you in the right direction.