Champagne Clandestin

The History of Champagne Clandestin

Benoît Doussot, originally from Burgundy and passionate about viticulture since adolescence, laid the foundations of Champagne Clandestin in 2015 after an enriching career. Trained at the viticultural school in Beaune from the age of 16, he honed his expertise alongside Jean-Philippe Fichet in Meursault, where he learned meticulous precision in the vineyard and cellar. Drawn to biodynamic practices, he then moved to Champagne to work from 2016 to 2020 at Vouette & Sorbée, alongside Bertrand and Hélène Gautherot, who introduced him to the subtleties of the Côte des Bar soils. Without family vineyards, Benoît opted for a collaborative négociant model, partnering with around a dozen organic growers to bring out the best in their premium grapes. This "clandestin" project — a name evoking hidden and little-known plots — was born from a deep conviction: to shine a light on the Aube as a jewel of Champagne, drawing inspiration from Burgundian climates to craft exceptional terroir-driven wines.

Terroirs and Vines of Champagne Clandestin

The wines of Champagne Clandestin draw their strength from the unique terroirs of the Côte des Bar, a southern sub-region of the Aube with varied soils that lend a mineral and structured identity to the cuvées. Predominantly Kimmeridgian — these ancient calcareous marls reminiscent of Chablis for their saline uprightness — and more chalky Portlandian soils at higher altitudes, these plots benefit from contrasting exposures that modulate aromas and textures. Benoît Doussot selects his organic or conversion grapes within a 15 km radius around Landreville, collaborating with certified growers who manage steep vineyard plots, hand-harvested to preserve quality. With 80% Pinot Noir and the remainder in Chardonnay, the varietal composition highlights the potential of these forgotten "climates": north-facing plots for a taut freshness, south-facing for a generous fruitiness. Working with experts such as Claude and Lydia Bourguignon, Benoît identifies precise geological strata, favouring median Kimmeridgian soils, for wines faithful to their origin, where each cuvée expresses the geology and exposure as a true portrait of the terroir.

Winemaking at Champagne Clandestin

Winemaking at Champagne Clandestin is a minimalist art, guided by respect for the fruit and the terroir to produce pure and complex wines. The grapes, carefully sorted, are gently pressed before fermentation with indigenous yeasts, capturing natural aromas without additives. The musts then rest in used oak barrels — demi-muids of 500 to 600 litres for Pinot Noir, Burgundian pieces of 228 litres for Chardonnay — encouraging slow oxidation and a silky texture without masking the fruit. No filtration or dosage: all champagnes are Brut Nature, zero added sugar, for a raw and saline expression. The ageing includes 12 months in barrel on the lees, followed by secondary fermentation in bottle and a minimum of 15 months on the laths, with longer experiments (up to 5 years) for greater maturity. Since the inauguration in 2023 of a modern cellar on the heights of Landreville, Benoît has been refining these processes in a dedicated space, where every step — from cooperative harvesting to plot-by-plot assemblages — elevates the quality of the wines towards an airy and lasting complexity.

The cuvées of Champagne Clandestin

The range of Champagne Clandestin cuvées is a hymn to the diversity of the terroir, with vintage and non-vintage wines available in flagship and ephemeral editions, all sourced from specific plots.

Cuvée Boréal Brut Nature: 100% Pinot Noir from north and north-west facing plots on Kimmeridgian soils, this cuvée offers a vertical and mineral freshness, with notes of tart red fruits, citrus and a saline tension ideal for aperitifs or seafood. A chiselled texture, with a persistent iodine finish.

Cuvée Austral Brut Nature: Also 100% Pinot Noir, but from south-facing hillsides on the same calcareous soil, it shines with its expressive generosity: aromas of ripe berries, soft spices and an ample, silky palate, perfect for accompanying poultry or cheeses. A fruity and structured balance that captivates with its vitality.

Les Revers Brut Nature: Blanc de Blancs 100% Chardonnay from north-facing vines on Kimmeridgian soils, reminiscent of Chablis in its pure minerality. Direct pressing, ageing in mixed barrels: floral, citrusy, with a lively acidity and a chalky finish, for lovers of taut and elegant wines.

Les Grandes Lignes Brut Nature: Another Blanc de Blancs in Chardonnay, sourced from small south-facing plots on Portlandian soils. More opulent, with nuances of pear, delicate brioche and a creamy texture, it expresses a joyful maturity while retaining a saline freshness.

Les Passagers: ephemeral cuvées born from one-off collaborations with partner growers, these wines explore unique single-plot expressions such as Fiole or Haut de Val Barmont. For example, Les Passagers Fiole showcases a Pinot Noir on mixed soils for a fruity and textured expression; Haut de Val Barmont, a Chardonnay on Portlandian soils, offers floral and mineral complexity. Limited in quantity, they reveal the infinite potential of the Aube terroirs.

Champagne Clandestin is a bold celebration of the Côte des Bar terroir, where Benoît Doussot transforms his organic grapes into exceptional, faithful and vibrant cuvées. For over 15 years, Vins & Millésimes has been offering you the finest bottles of aged wines and grands crus to purchase online, in stock and with fast delivery! Discover the bottles and magnums of Champagne Clandestin available for purchase.