Jean Vesselle Le Petit Clos 2011

Region: Champagne, France
Area: Bouzy (Montagne de Reims)
Grape varieties: 80% Pinot Noir, 20% Chardonnay
Alcohol content: approximately 12.5% ​​vol.

Description

Jean Vesselle Le Petit Clos 2011 is a rare and characterful vintage champagne from the family-owned Champagne Jean Vesselle in Bouzy – an area known for its powerful and elegant Pinot Noir-based wines. The house is currently run by Delphine Vesselle , who continues the family’s classic traditions, but with a modern understanding of finesse and terroir.

Le Petit Clos comes from a single parcel (clos) – a small, walled field right next to the family estate in Bouzy. Here, the grapes are grown according to sustainable principles, and the harvest is kept low to maintain intensity and concentration. The 2011 vintage was challenging for many producers, but Jean Vesselle managed to create a wine with impressive balance, complexity and freshness.

Appearance

The color is golden with fine, persistent bubbles – a visual sign of both age and quality.

Fragrance

The aroma is ripe, deep and complex with layers upon layers of:

Ripe yellow apples, pears and quince

Brioche, honey and roasted hazelnut

Mineral notes and a touch of citrus and dried fruit

Discreet hints of smoke and vanilla from barrel aging

Taste

In the mouth, the champagne appears round, creamy and structured , but with a fresh acidity that keeps the whole alive:

Rich notes of baked apples, citrus and acacia honey

Elegant integrated mousse and silky texture

The finish is long, mineral and slightly salty with a hint of roasted nuts and candied orange peel.

This is a champagne with maturity and depth , but also with nerve and energy – a testament to Bouzy's great terroir and Vesselle's precision in the cellar.

Storage and vinification

Le Petit Clos is partially fermented and aged in oak barrels , which gives the wine its depth and light toastiness. The bottle has been left for over 10 years sur lie , before disgorging, which adds extra complexity and creaminess. The dosage is low (brut), so the natural character and freshness of the wine stand out clearly.

Serving and food pairing

Serve at 10–12 °C in a glass with a wide bowl so that the aromas can unfold.
It is excellently suited for:

Shellfish and lobster

Dishes with chicken or veal in cream sauce

Ripe cheeses, e.g. Comté or Gruyère

Or as a meditation champagne – alone in peace and quiet

Storage potential

Jean Vesselle Le Petit Clos 2011 is already in perfect drinking balance, but can continue to develop deeper nutty and honey tones for 5–8 years to come.

Overall impression

Jean Vesselle Le Petit Clos 2011 is a masterful vintage champagne with soul and complexity. It combines the power of Bouzy Pinot Noir with the finesse of Chardonnay in a wine that is both elegant, full-bodied and deeply satisfying. A champagne for collectors and connoisseurs – created for special moments.

About the producer: The Vesselle family has had vineyards in Bouzy since 1885. Champagne Jean Vesselle is famous for its excellent Pinot Noir grapes. The family was originally known for their red wines made from Pinot Noir. However, many of their vineyards were destroyed by Phylloxera and during the First World War.