Bonnaire & Clouet
Bonnaire & Clouet is a Récoltant-Manipulant from Cramant on the Côte des Blancs. The maison farms Grand Cru vineyards in Cramant as well as additional parcels in Bouzy, Cuis, Bergères-les-Vertus and Fossoy. The focus is on precise, mineral Blanc de Blancs with extended lees aging and Extra Brut dosage.
Vignoble & Soils
The vines grow in five villages: Cramant (Grand Cru), Bouzy (Grand Cru), Cuis, Bergères-les-Vertus and Fossoy. Cramant forms the heart – here lie the most important parcels, including the lieu-dit Le Bateau, whose name recalls the chalk sea that covered this region 90 million years ago. The soils are consistently chalk-limestone of maritime origin, a geological legacy from the Cretaceous period.
The grape variety distribution is not officially documented, but the cuvées show a clear signature: Chardonnay dominates, with Pinot Noir and Meunier complementing the assemblage cuvées.
Vinification
Bonnaire & Clouet works primarily in stainless steel tanks but strategically uses small oak barrels for selected cuvées – about 10% for Les Versants Réserve and entirely for Love Story 2012. The philosophy aims for clarity, minerality and tension: Dosage ranges between 1.5 and 4 g/l, with almost all cuvées carrying the Extra Brut designation. Lees aging is extended – between 30 and 108 months, depending on the cuvée.
The Cuvées in Detail
Cramant Vintage 2016
A Blanc de Blancs from mid-slope parcels in Cramant that spent 84 months on the lees. Buttery notes meet candied fruits and citrus zest, backed by chalky minerality and a saline finish. The 2.5 g/l dosage leaves room for tension.
100% Chardonnay · 2.5 g/l Extra Brut · 84 months aging · Cramant Grand Cru (Côte des Blancs)
Le Bateau – Cramant 2016
A lieu-dit Champagne from the Le Bateau parcel in Cramant, disgorged in May 2023 after five years on lees. Precise, salty-fresh, crisp minerality with fine creaminess. The name recalls the ancient sea that left chalk-limestone here. At 1.5 g/l dosage, one of the driest in the portfolio.
100% Chardonnay · 1.5 g/l Extra Brut · 60 months aging · Lieu-dit Le Bateau, Cramant Grand Cru
Les Harengs 2021
Wer 100 % Chardonnay liebt, kommt an den Grand-Cru-Lagen von Cramant an der nördlichen Côte des Blancs nicht vorbei. Das Dorf ist berühmt für Weine…
Frische Pasta, gegrillte argentinische Rotgarnelen und eine Zitronen-Salbei-Butter – das war der Plan für gestern Abend. Und dazu der Les Versants…
Manchmal öffnest du eine Flasche und merkst schnell: Das hier ist kein Solo-Künstler – das ist jemand, der ein Gegenüber braucht. Gestern war es…
A Blanc de Blancs from the lieu-dit Les Harengs in Bergères-les-Vertus (Premier Cru). Toasted hazelnuts, saline minerality, warm and inviting, yet clear and precise. Aged in wood and stainless steel. The name references the historical use of herring as currency in the wine trade.
100% Chardonnay · 2.5 g/l Extra Brut · 36 months aging · Lieu-dit Les Harengs, Bergères-les-Vertus Premier Cru
Love Story 2012
A 50/50 assemblage from Bouzy (Pinot Noir) and Cramant (Chardonnay), both Grand Cru. 108 months on lees, disgorged in December 2022. Oak aging brings oxidative depth, nutty-warm notes, powdery-dry texture and gentle acidity. At 1.5 g/l dosage, a food-pairing champion.
50% Chardonnay, 50% Pinot Noir · 1.5 g/l Extra Brut · 108 months aging · Bouzy & Cramant Grand Cru
Rosé d'Assemblage
A cool, focused rosé from Chardonnay (60%) and Pinot Noir (40%), grown in Cramant, Bouzy and Bergères-les-Vertus. Fine red fruit, chalky minerality, more freshness than fruit, textured. Aged on fine lees in stainless steel tanks. Base 2020/2021, 36 months aging.
60% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir · 4 g/l Brut · 36 months aging · Cramant GC, Bouzy GC, Bergères-les-Vertus PC
Les Versants Réserve
The entry-level assemblage from five villages: Cramant, Cuis, Bouzy, Bergères-les-Vertus and Fossoy. Chardonnay (50%), Pinot Noir (30%), Meunier (20%). Citrus, white peach, brioche, fine oak spice. Aged in stainless steel, 10% small oak barrels. An all-rounder with tension and balance.
50% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir, 20% Meunier · 4 g/l Extra Brut · 30 months aging · Cramant, Cuis, Bouzy, Bergères-les-Vertus, Fossoy
My Tastings
- Le Bateau – Cramant 2016 (2016) · 2025-03-02
- Les Harengs 2021 (2021) · 2025-10-25
- Les Versants Réserve · 2025-10-31
- Love Story 2012 (2012) · 2025-12-01
- Rosé d'Assemblage (2020) · 2026-01-17
- Cramant Vintage 2016 (2016) · 2026-03-03
Facts
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Official Name | Bonnaire & Clouet |
| Category | RM (Récoltant-Manipulant) |
| Location | Cramant, Marne (51), Côte des Blancs |
| Cru Classification | Grand Cru (Cramant, Bouzy) |
| Villages | Cramant, Bouzy, Cuis, Bergères-les-Vertus, Fossoy |
| Soils | Chalk-limestone, maritime origin (chalk sea 90 million years ago) |
| Vinification | Stainless steel tanks + small oak barrels (selective) |
| Dosage Range | 1.5–4 g/l (predominantly Extra Brut) |
| Lees Aging | 36–108 months |
| Website | www.bonnaire.com |
| @bonnaireclouet |
Sources for this portrait: Maison website, personal tastings, CRM data and cross-checks. Fields without sufficient verification remain open.