Clandestin, created by Benoît Doussot and rooted in the terroirs of Les Riceys while also tied to Burgundy, is one of the most distinctive and sought after projects in modern Champagne. The focus is on micro parcels of pinot noir and chardonnay grown on the Kimmeridgian soils and marls of Les Riceys, worked with an extremely pure, natural and parcel specific approach. Vinification uses indigenous yeasts, often in barrel, with no dosage and minimal sulfur. Production is tiny, with many cuvées coming from a single site and single vintage, resulting in remarkably precise expressions. The wines show ripe lemon, yellow apple, delicate red berries, chalk, flint and occasionally smoky or herbal nuances. The palate is linear, vibrant and saline, with fine bubbles and high tension. Clandestin’s style is pure, taut, artisanal, highlighting with subtle intensity the unique minerality of Les Riceys.