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A clos champagne is a champagne which is made from the grapes of a single walled vineyard which creates a very special microclimate. Historically, a clos was an enclosed vineyard, surrounded by "a wall or a hedge that a horse could not jump over". Today there are 39 known clos in Champagne and some are synonymous with the most exclusive wines in the world, while others are some of the best kept secrets in fizz.
1. Clos des Goisses
Premier Cru
Located just outside the village of Mareuil sur Ay in the Montagne de Reims, the Clos des Goisses is a vineyard with an incline between 30 and 45 degrees, which has been represented by the name Gois or Goisse meaning 'a very steep slope'. Pierre Philipponnat pruchased the land in 1935 and quickly decided to buck the blending trends in Champagne and showcase its potential as a single vineyard wine. This became the original "clos champagne" and therefore had to be first on the list.
Owner of the Clos: Champagne Philipponnat
Cuvée of the Clos: Clos des Goisses, Les Cintres, Petits Cintres
Size of the plot: 5.5 ha
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
Price (€): 140 - 240 depending on the vintage
Bottles per Vintage: 3,000 - 11,000 bottles
2. Clos du Mesnil
Grand Cru
Purchased in 1971, the walled plot in the heart of the Le Mesnil sur Oger led to what has now become a House of Krug legend. Before its acquisition by Rémi and Henri Krug, 5th generation of the Krug family the plot was tended to by grower Jules Taris who sold the grapes to Salon. Krug Clos du Mesnil, the rarest of the house's range, has showcased the unique character of a single plot of Chardonnay since the 1979 vintage.
Owner of the Clos:
Cuvée of the clos:
Krug Clos du Mesnil
Size of the plot:
1.84 ha
Grape Variety:
Chardonnay
Price (€):
1,100 - 2,200 depending on the vintage
Bottles per Vintage:
8,000-14,000
3. Clos d'Ambonnay
Grand Cru
Owned by Henri Petitjean, in the 1970s there were no vines planted here and it was just an enclosed garden with walls built around it. In the late 1980s, the Petitjean family took a financial decision and sold their winery building to Charles Heidsieck who was then the owner of Rémy Cointreau and Krug brands. Thus, Rémy purchased the property in 1994 and Krug was later brought by LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy) in 1999. The walled plot is situated on the edge of the village, on the south-eastern slope of the Montagne de Reims. The first Krug Clos d’Ambonnay was made in 1995 and revealed it in 2007 with a production of only 3,000 bottles. The Clos d'Ambonnay is made in typical Krug style aged in oak barrels. Thus, anybody can produce an Ambonnay wine with the access to the right grapes but only Krug can produce a Clos d'Ambonnay.
Owner of the Clos:
Cuvée of the clos:
Krug Clos d'Ambonnay
Size of the plot:
0.68 ha
Grape Variety:
Pinot Noir
Price (€):
2,787.70
Bottles per Vintage:
5,100 bottles
4. Clos Cazals
Grand Cru
Tucked away in the Mesnil-sur-Oger, a Grand Cru village that is located in the Côte des Blancs just south of Epernay, it makes for an ecxeptional cuvee first separated from the other crus by Delphine and her father in 1995.
Owner of the Clos: Champagne Cazals Claude
Cuvée of the clos: The Clos Cazals and The Chapelle du Clos
Size of the plot: 3.70 ha
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Price (€): 110 - 140 depending on the vintage
5. Clos des Bouveries
Premier Cru and Grand Cru
Clos des Bouveries, overlooking the village of Vertus, is an ancient plot of land belonging to the Duval-Leroy family, with a mid-slope east-facing position. The estate is a family treasure that Duval-Leroy strives to protect and enrich with all efforts to guarantee the continuity of the house style. From a single plot and from a single grape variety, Clos des Bouveries is partially fermented in oak barrels to contribute fine woody notes and partially fermented in stainless steel tanks for mineral purity.
Owner of the Clos:
Cuvée of the clos:
Clos des Bouveries
Size of the plot:
about 2 ha
Grape Variety:
Chardonnay
Price (€):
96
Bottles per Vintage:
15,000 bottles
6. Clos du Moulin
Premier Cru
The Cattier family first started planting vines in Chigny-les-Roses, in the heart of the Montagne de Reims, in 1625. The winery has since been passed down through 12 generations. Their 33 hectares of vines are mostly in and around Chigny-les-Roses, Ludes and Rilly-la-Montagne, right in the heart of the Montagne de Reims. Clos du Moulin are is one of the Champagne's two historic walled vineyards and is located on the sunny slopes of the Montagne de Reims near Chigny-les-Roses.
Owner of the Clos:
Cuvée of the clos:
Clos du Moulin
Size of the plot:
2.2 ha
Grape Variety:
Pinot Noir & Chardonnay
Price (€):
50 - 100
Bottles per Vintage:
15,000 bottles
7. Clos Faubourg Notre Dame
Premier Cru
Clos Faubourg Notre Dame, a monopole of the Fourny family since 1930 is a treasure of the Champagne region and a collector's item. Owned by Albert and his son Roger and Veuve Fourny, the 20 ha vineyards were inherited by Charles-Henry and Emmanuel Fourny in 1993. These vineyards are located on the terroirs of Vertus in the Côte des Blancs.
Owner of the Clos: Champagne Veuve Fourny
Cuvée of the clos: Clos Notre Dame
Size of the plot: 0.29 ha
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Price (€): 95 - 170 depending on the vintage
Bottles per Vintage: 100 bottles
8. Le Petit Clos
Grand Cru
Located in the town of Bouzy in the Montagne de Reims; the family’s origins in this area dates back to more than three centuries. It is a quarter-acre walled vineyard and one of the smallest Grand Cru rated ‘clos’ in Champagne. For nearly 300 years, the Vesselle family has been tilling the chalky soils of Bouzy and cultivating some of the village’s best-placed Pinot Noir vines.
Owner of the Clos:
Cuvée of the clos:
Le Petit Clos, Oeil de Perdrix, Cuvée Friandese and Rosé de Saignée
Size of the plot:
0.08 ha
Grape Variety:
Pinot Noir
Price (€):
130
Bottles per Vintage:
960 bottles
9. Clos Saint-Hilaire
Premier Cru
A single hectare of south-southeast facing Pinot Noir vines in Vallée de la Marne, produces arguably one of the world’s most vinous and critically-acclaimed champagnes. Le Clos Saint-Hilaire got its name from the local church of Église Saint-Hilaire and belongs to the Billecart-Salmon family. The combination of well-draining soil, near-perfect exposition and gentle slope form a trifecta of sorts. Planted in 1964, the vines were not considered established nor mature enough to warrant producing a standalone wine until 1995. It took more than three decades of meticulous viticulture, working the land organically to shape the site’s potential.
Owner of the Clos: Champagne Billecart-Salmon
Cuvée of the clos: Le Clos Saint-Hilaire
Size of the plot: 1 ha
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
Price (€): 200 - 390 depending on the vintage
Bottles per Vintage: 3,500 - 7,500 bottles
10. Clos des Bergeronneau
Premier Cru
The Clos des Bergeronneau was planted in 2007, in the heart of the village of Ville-Dommange. 2.10 hectares of Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier vines have been planted facing south-east. The Bergeronneau family practices sustainable viticulture there to preserve these old vines. The first release was from the 2007 vintage, but was sold as a non-vintage.
Owner of the Clos:
Cuvée of the clos:
Clos des Bergeronneau
Size of the plot:
2.10 ha
Grape Variety:
Pinot Noir & Meunier
Price (€):
65 - 185
Bottles per Vintage:
5,000 bottles
11. Clos Virgile
Grand Cru
Located in Beaumont-sur-Vesle, it is owned by Virgile Portier and Sadi Malot and has been carried on by its respective descendants. The vineyards enjoy a location on the lower hillsides of the Montagne de Reims, which allows the growing of two noble varieties: Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Clos Virgile, a vineyard plot adjoining the estate, was planted and unveiled in 1993. The vintage of Clos Virgile helps you find out the elegance of Chardonnay associated to the character of Pinot Noir.
Owner of the Clos:
Cuvée of the clos:
Clos Virgile
Size of the plot:
2.4 ha
Grape Variety:
Pinot Noir & Chardonnay
Price (€):
45 - 80
Bottles per Vintage:
1,200 bottles
12. Les Vieilles Vignes Françaises
Grand Cru
The Vieilles Vignes Françaises is one of the most whimsical cuvées of Champagne. The cuvée comes from two single plots adjacent to the House in Aÿ. In the early 20th century, when the vines of Champagne were destroyed by phylloxera, these two plots remained untouched and have grown in the traditional way, following the ‘provignage’ method. Madame Lily Bollinger first had this wine produced in 1969 as an anniversary cuvee to commemorate her 70th birthday. Following the wine’s launch in 1974, Vieilles Vignes Françaises promptly became a collectible and a symbol of a bygone era.
Owner of the Clos: Champagne Bollinger
Cuvée of the clos: Vieilles Vignes Françaises
Size of the plot: 1 ha
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
Price (€): 500 - 2,000 depending on the vintage
Bottles per Vintage: 2,420 bottles
13. Clos de Pompadour
Grand Cru
The Clos Pompadour is situated in the town of Reims and is the largest clos in Champagne with 25ha of Chardonnay (75%), Pinot (20%) and Meunier (5%) mostly planted in the 1960s. The inaugural Clos Pompadour was released in 2011 using grapes from the 2002 vintage only, although, unlike the current release, the first release was classified as a non-vintage. This was released to celebrate the 175th anniversary of the historic Maison of Reims. The project to isolate wine from the clos and produce a special label began in 2002 following the purchase of Pommery from LVMH in April that year by Paul-François Vranken. Le Clos Pompadour is a tribute to its Clos of origin but also a reference to the character of Madame de Pompadour, historical figure who was a symbol of magnificence, elegance and grandeur. Madame Pommery originally planted in her back garden so she could carry out experiments and monitor ripeness of each varietal.
Owner of the Clos:
Vranken-Pommery Monopole
Cuvée of the clos:
Le Clos Pompadour
Size of the plot:
25 ha
Grape Variety:
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir & Meunier
Price (€):
400 - 700
Bottles per Vintage:
3,000 Magnum bottles
Current Release:
2004
14. Clos du Château de Bligny
Grand Cru
Built in 1773 by the Marquis de Dampierre on the foundations of a medieval castle, the Château de Bligny is distinguished by its unique architecture. It is also now the only area of champagne to bear the appellation of Château. Made with a harmonious blend of the six Champagne grape varieties, this champagne spends 3 years on lees.
Owner of the Clos:
Cuvée of the clos:
Clos du Château de Bligny
Size of the plot:
20 ha
Grape Variety:
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Meunier, Petit Meslier, Arbane and Pinot Blanc
Price (€):
80 - 125
15. Clos des Trois Clochers
Premier Cru
Le Clos des Trois Clochers is situated in the Premier Cru village of Villers-Allerand on the north side of Montagne de Reims. The average age of the vines planted here is 35 years. The fifth generation vigneron of the Champagne Leclerc-Briant, Pascal Leclerc started to follow the biodynamic principles in 1988, with a part of the vineyard Demeter certified since 2003.
Owner of the Clos:
Cuvée of the clos:
Le Clos des Trois Clochers
Size of the plot:
0.4 ha
Grape Variety:
Chardonnay
Price (€):
100 - 150
Bottles per Vintage:
1,528 bottles only
16. Clos des Champions
Premier Cru
Another gem belonging to Leclerc-Briant, Le Clos des Champions is located in Cumieres. For many years the grapes were used to make a single vineyard non-vintage. But nothing has been seen to be released recently. so we're guessing it's used for their non-vintage blends.
Owner of the Clos: Champagne Leclerc-Briant
Cuvée of the clos: Previously Le Clos des Champions
Size of the plot: approx. 0.8 ha
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Price (€): N/A
17. Le Clos Rocher
Jean-Michel Gremillet gave the name ”Clos Rocher” to his childhood dream, in memory of one of the ancestors. Created in 2013, this Clos Rocher, is a well-exposed plot planted with Pinot Noir that the family has managed to build up by exchange or acquisition, only 50 metres from the cellar, on the famous Riceys commune. Adjoining the Clos Rocher, an arboretum formed by the family shelters a hundred conifers representing the different countries where Champagne Gremillet is present. The first bottle of Le Clos Rocher was popped in 2017 and inspired consultant oenologist Jean-Pierre Rodolphé Lédé to write a poem entitled "You See, Little One!".
Owner of the Clos: Champagne Gremillet
Cuvée of the clos: Clos Rocher
Size of the plot: 1.4 ha
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
Price (€): 89
Bottles per Vintage: 2,672 bottles
18. Clos Lanson
Grand Cru
Founded in 1760, Champagne Lanson is one of the oldest producers in the region, with a rich history embedded in the famous city of Reims. Facing temperatures two degrees higher than typical vineyards in Reims, this walled plot produces a much riper yield that, in previous years, has been used in the assemblage of other cuvées. Inevitably, the new owners decide to create Lanson's first single vineyard champagne from this plot, and 2006 is the very first vintage. Due to the size of the plot, production is extremely limited. Just 7,780 bottles of Clos Lanson 2006 have been created and each are individually numbered.
Owner of the Clos:
Cuvée of the clos:
Le Clos Lanson
Size of the plot:
1 ha
Grape Variety:
Chardonnay
Price (€):
130 - 190
Bottles per Vintage:
7,780 bottles
19. Clos Mandois
Premier Cru
Clos Mandois, Situated in Pierry, a village in Côte des Blanc, is a historical plot, part of which was planted in 1955. Nearly 4,000 kilos of the best grapes selected from a 1.5 hectare vineyard are used to create a Champagne of inimitable complexity, derived primarily from old Pinot Meunier vines planted in 1955. The 2004 vintage stood out and was selected for the creation of “Le Clos”.
Owner of the Clos:
Cuvée of the clos:
Clos Mandois
Size of the plot:
1.5 ha
Grape Variety:
Pinot Meunier
Price (€):
145
Bottles per Vintage:
4,912 bottles
20. Clos des Chaulins
Premier Cru
Founded in 1899 by Jules Médot, the house has remained in the family for 5 generations. The oldest vines in the Clos des Chaulins vineyard stem from 1927. Médot was later bought in 2002 by the then listed company Charles de Cazanove in Épernay, which was led by the Lombard family as the majority owner and Thierry Lombard, and is now called Lombard & Médot. Médot still exists as a brand (alongside Lombard & Cie), and is produced by Lombard & Médot in Épernay. The production of Clos des Chaulins was from a 0.68 hectare vineyard in Pargny-lès-Reims. Production apparently stopped after they were bought by Lombard, but with Lombard's approch to terroir driven cuvees, perhaps we might see it make a comeback.
Owner of the Clos:
Champagne Lombard & Medot
Cuvée of the clos:
Not currently available as a single vineyard wine
Size of the plot:
0.68 ha
Grape Variety:
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier
Price (€):
100, although only available through the secondary market
21. Clos Sainte-Sophie
Jacques Lassaigne is a 4.7-hectare family owned house located in Montgueux in the south of Champagne. The Montgueux vineyard sites were originally called the Montrachet of Champagne and are located near the gates of Troyes—the former capital of Champagne. Clos Sainte-Sophie, is a very small parcel located on the hill of the Montgueux village. Emmanuel Lassaigne, Jacques’ son who now runs the vineyard, began working the vines in 1999. The Clos Sainte-Sophie juice is vinified in a combination of barrels previously used for Cognac, Savagnin ouillé (from Ganevat), and Burgundy barrels. Overall it is a vintage cuvée for which is only 40+ year-old vines are harvested.
Owner of the Clos: Champagne Jacques Lassaigne
Cuvée of the clos: Clos Sainte-Sophie
Size of the plot: 0.4 ha
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
Price (€): 110 - 165 depending on the vintage
22. Clos des Monnaies
The Clos des Monnaies was first planted by Jules Goutorbe in 1930 in the heart of the village of Damery. Clos des Monnaies translates to 'The Clos of Coins'. The name of the clos comes from excavations made in 1840 which revealed a coin workshop from the Gallo-Roman era.
Owner of the Clos:
Cuvée of the clos:
Clos des Monnaies
Size of the plot:
0.28 ha
Grape Variety:
Pinot Meunier & Chardonnay
Price (€):
130
Bottles per Vintage:
1,282 bottles
23. Clos des Belevals
Grand Cru
Dominique represents the 4th generation of winegrowers of Champagne Person in the village of Vertus, located in the south of the Côte des Blancs. In 2006, Dominique bought Le Clos des Belevals and cultivated Chardonnay. Since the 2006 vintage, Person produces a vineyard-designated vintage blanc de blancs from this vineyard, consisting of Chardonnay planted in 1969.
Owner of the Clos:
Cuvée of the clos:
Clos des Belevals
Size of the plot:
1.2 ha
Grape Variety:
Chardonnay
Price (€):
500 - 600
24. Clos de Cumières
Premier Cru
Champagne Jestin is a young house founded in 2006 by Hervé Jestin, pioneer and recognized expert of organic and biodynamic viticulture around the world. He purchased the vineyard from the Leclerc family in 2009. The harvest and vinification are done respecting the natural cycles of nature and the main influences of the planets of the solar system. All of Herve Jestin's work as a winemaker revolves around learning and listening to wine, to work with intelligence and awareness of the nature around us and which is why his champagne is also known one of the cult wines.
Read more about his Cult Wines here.
Owner of the Clos: Champagne Hervé Jestin
Cuvée of the clos: Clos de Cumières
Size of the plot: 0.5 ha
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir & Chardonnay
Price (€): 179
Bottles per Vintage: 3,300 bottles
25. Le Clos à Doré
Premier Cru
In 1930, Ernest Monmarthe made the decision to promote his terroir being a "Récoltant Manipulant" and created his own brand, Champagne Ernest Monmarthe. Today, Maison Champagne Monmarthe is managed by Jean-Guy Monmarthe, the 6th generation of the house. Le Clos à Doré is located in the heart of the village of Ludes and planted with Chardonnay since 1978, has been designated as mother vine (source of transplants) by INRA (national agronomic research institute) and the CIVC (inter-professional committee for Champagne wines).
Owner of the Clos:
Cuvée of the clos:
Le Clos à Doré
Size of the plot:
22 ha
Grape Variety:
Chardonnay
Price (€):
43
Bottles per Vintage:
2,000 bottles
26. Clos des Maladries
Grand Cru
Clos des Maladries is a small parcel located in the village of Avize. The Chardonnay vines were planted back in the 1970s by Etienne's grandfather. The clos is named after a Maladries, a middle age hospital where contagious patients were kept, that was located on the site hundreds of years ago. The exposure of the clos is due south and the walls of the clos also retain heat which aid in ripening of the grapes. Organic farming practices are undertaken in this clos, and Etienne is experimenting with biodynamics in 50% of the vines.
Owner of the Clos:
Cuvée of the clos:
Clos des Maladries
Size of the plot:
0.16 ha
Grape Variety:
Chardonnay
Price (€):
109
Bottles per Vintage:
under 1,000 bottles
27. Clos Barnaut
Grand Cru
The only Coteau Champenois Rosé AOC comes from the clos Barnaut in Bouzy. Bouzy is a village of Grande Montagne de Reims, more specifically of the "Côte des Noirs (Coast of Blacks)" because of the large plantings of Pinot Noir. Vines are grown on the principle of sustainable viticulture, using organic fertilizers, natural weeds and other techniques to preserve the best of nature. The Bouzy Rosé is a still rosé wine and is produced by short maceration. It was the choice of Philippe Secondé after his trials with a single vineyard champagne gave him a result which was too heavy for his liking, while he already had south-facing slopes suitable for red wine.
Owner of the Clos: Champagne Barnaut Bouzy
Cuvée of the clos: Clos Barnaut - Bouzy Rosé
Size of the plot: 0.4 ha
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
Price (€): 78
Bottles per Vintage: under1,000 bottles
28. Clos de Bouzy
Grand Cru
André Clouet and his son Jean-François are the owners and the soul of this domain. Clos de Bouzy, an ancestral vineyard, is an extension of their elegant family domain in the heart of Bouzy. The Clos contains the Clouet family’s most beautiful genetic combinations of Pinot Noir. It is a partly wall-enclosed vineyard behind André Clouet’s facilities in the southwestern part of the village, with a flat location. Le Clos André Clouet is a new born vintage champagne, created by Jean-François Clouet and the result of of the ancient clos planted with Pinot Noir.
Owner of the Clos:
Cuvée of the clos:
Le Clos André Clouet
Size of the plot:
0.35 ha
Grape Variety:
Pinot Noir
Price (€):
395
Bottles per Vintage:
1,000 Magnum bottles
29. Clos de la Somnanbule
Grand Cru
One of the smallest and most unknown clos in Champagne is actually hidden in plain sight in the the middle of Reims. Belonging to the Vranken-Pommery group this clos is nestled in behind the Villa Demoiselle, and is less than 4,000 sqm. A little birdy tells us that there may be a new cuvee released in the next few years.
Owner of the Clos: Champagne Vranken
Cuvée of the clos: Blended into the Pommery wines
Size of the plot: 0.37 ha
Grape Variety: Chardonnay & Pinot Noir
Price (€): TBC
30. Clos l'Abbé
Clos l'Abbé
Grand Cru
Hubert Soreau, the owner of the clos, treats his vineyard like a garden with surrounding walls that preserve its history which started with the monks, who made their own wine many centuries ago. Hubert Soreau is a grower, who arrived in Champagne nearly 20 years ago. Le Clos l’Abbé is a single parcel outside of Epernay where the Vallée de la Marne and the Côte des Blancs meet. This parcel was originally planted in the 9th Century after the Bishop of Reims ordered it cleared for viticulture. This was mentioned in the records of the Saint Martin Abby Épernay in the 17th century and who’s wines were kept under lock and key.
Owner of the Clos: Champagne Hubert Soreau
Cuvée of the clos: Le Clos l'Abbé
Size of the plot: 0.14 ha
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Price (€): 88
31. Clos de l'Abbaye
Premier Cru
The vines of this clos were planted in 1956 in the village of Vertus by the Doyard family. Maurice Doyard, the founder of the Domaine Doyard, was a reference guide in the Champagne region, a wine-grower and instrumental in the creation of the CIVC. Yannick Doyard and his son Guillaume, the fourth and fifth generation of the Doyard family now manages the domain and practices biodynamic farming.
Owner of the Clos:
Cuvée of the clos:
Clos de l'Abbaye
Size of the plot:
0.5 ha
Grape Variety:
Chardonnay
Price (€):
100
Bottles per Vintage:
1,918 bottles
32. Clos Jarot
Clos Jarot
Grand Cru
One of the brightest stars among the newest generation of Champagne’s vignerons is Flavien Nowack, who has been making wine at his family’s estate in the village of Vandières since 2012. Flavien’s great-great-grandfather, was the first of the Nowack family to become a winegrower in the village of Vandières since 1795. Nowacks own 10 hectares of vines, out of which 7 hectares are in and around the villages of Vandières and Châtillon-sur-Marne. The wines from Clos Jarot are still mysterious as they are yet to be released in 2022. For now, the Nowack family offers accommodation to their guests with a bucolic setting in Gîtes around their walled vineyard, the Clos Jarot.
Owner of the Clos: Champagne Nowack
Cuvée of the clos: Clos Jarot
Size of the plot: 0.3 ha
Grape Variety: TBC
Price (€): TBC
33. Clos Le Léon
Premier Cru
Le Clos Le Léon, which is located in the Premier Cru village of Dizy is our newest clos. It was divided into three plots after an inheritance, and replanted in 2008. Jean-Paul Hébrart's dream as a winemaker had always been to gather these three parcels to reunite the original Clos and create a single vineyard wine. After 14 years, Jean-Paul has realised his dream, and launched the 2014 vintage of Clos Le Léon in October 202. It is an Extra-Brut Blanc de Blancs, vinified in oak barrels without malolactic fermentation, left seven months on fine lees and finally aged 72 months in bottle.
Owner of the Clos: Champagne Marc Hébrart
Cuvée of the clos: Clos Le Léon
Size of the plot: 0.8 ha
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Price (€): 200 - 250
34. Le Clos Jacquesson
Premier Cru
Le Clos Jacquesson, which is located in the Premier Cru village of Dizy wa planted with Meunier up until 2006. The last released wines from this plot were extra bruts from 2000, 2002 and 2004. In 2006 the site was replanted with Pinot Noir, and we are yet to see a champagne to be released, but no doubt it will be extra special.
Owner of the Clos: Jean-Hervé and Laurent Chiquet
Cuvée of the clos: Le Clos
Size of the plot: 0.9 ha
Grape Variety: Meunier until 2006. Then planted in Pinot Noir.
Price (€): TBC
35. Le Clos de Marzilly
Dating back to the XIVth century, this walled vineyard used to produce the wine for the bishop of Reims. It is located on the edge of the village Hermonville, and is planted exclusively with Meunier. The current release is the 2008, which has been aged 10 years on lees, and has a dosage of just below 8 grams.
Owner of the Clos: Michel Fagot
Cuvée of the clos: Le Clos de Marzilly
Size of the plot: TBC
Grape Variety: Meunier
Price (€): 70 - 90
36. Le Clos des Futies
Based in Mardeuil, Vincent Charlot is known for his biodynamic champagne and for using the 7 different varietals. His prestige cuvee is the single vintage cuvee from a 18-are Clos in Epernay with two different soil profiles: 50% Chardonnay mainly grown on chalky soil and 50% Pinot Noir on clay. Tiny quantities are made and the current release is the 2009 vintage, aged 11 months on oak before bottling and then disgorged with less than 4g dosage. A must try for biodynamic champagne lovers.
Owner of the Clos: Vincent Charlot
Cuvée of the clos: Clos des Futies 2009
Size of the plot: 0.18 ha
Grape Variety: 50% Pinot Noir & 50% Chardonnay
Price (€): 120 -150
37. Le Clos Bourmault
Grand Cru
Overlooking the beautiful village of Avize is the tiny 0.8 hectares Clos Bourmault. Christian Bourmault founded the domain in 1998, and the vines here are planted in high density. No malolactic fermentation and lees stiring whilst on oak creates an extraordinary wine. Current vintage is 2005, but we're sure there are even greater things to come as the house matures.
Owner of the Clos: Christian Bourmault
Cuvée of the clos: Clos de Bourmault 2005
Size of the plot: 0.8 ha
Grape Variety: 100% Chardonnay
Price (€): 60 Number of bottles: 1898
38. Le Clos 667
Probably one of the smallest clos on this list, these vines are planted in the back garden of Patrick Boivin in Epernay. Planted with 63% Chardonnay, 27% Pinot Noir and 10% Meunier, the single vineyard cuvee made from these grapes spends 10 months on oak, 9 years on lees and is disgorged with 6 grams dosage.
Owner of the Clos: Patrick Boivin
Cuvée of the clos: Le Clos 667 2009
Size of the plot: TBC
Grape Variety: 63% Chardonnay | 27% Pinot Noir | 10% Meunier
Price (€): 150
39. Clos Jacquin (lieu-dit)
Grand Cru
In 1995, Pierre Callot founded his brand and, fifteen years later, he bought the current estate from Piper Heidsieck in memory of the first winegrower of the family. Located in the heart of the Côte des Blancs, the plots of Clos Jacquin are located on top of the hill and facing due east. Clos Jacquin was born from the marriage of two beautiful years: 1995 and 1996. The wines have spent twelve months in oak. However, these plots are not enclosed, and therefore it does not fall under the traditional definition of a clos.
Owner of the Clos:
Cuvée of the clos:
Clos Jaquin
Size of the plot:
7 ha
Grape Variety:
Chardonnay
Price (€):
65 - 160
Bottles per Vintage:
1,200 bottles
All in all, the best plots in Champagne with distinguished micro climates and an exceptional quality of grapes are protected by walls to create an oasis in itself. These clos that produce the best champagnes rarely declare a vintage and when they do, they are ones to stock up on.
Do you know of another clos that we haven't featured here? Please let us know.
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