Champagne Veuve Clicquot - La Grande Dame 2018 coffret

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

Veuve Clicquot has returned to its roots and proudly displays its penchant for Pinot Noir and its taste for vinous champagnes. While we await the next revolution from La Grande Dame, the brand's prestige cuvée, the non-vintage brut, the famous Carte Jaune, has regained its vigor. The skilled Dominique Demarville, cellar master, has significantly raised the bar in terms of selection and precision in blending, while revolutionizing the work of the soil in the vineyards, with grass planted between every other row and a few trials in organic farming.

Decanter

About wine:

The long sunny days and heat of the 2018 vintage have brought notes of stone and citrus to this glorious Grande Dame. While the initial attack plays on various notes of lemon oil, verbena, orange peel, and grapefruit, it is the deeply mineral and dense heart that is most surprising in this wine, and this is what will ensure its long aging potential. Delicious aromas of candied orange peel intensify to reach a crescendo of yuzu and coconut cream. A bright and energetic version of La Grande Dame.

Guide Hachette des vins

About the estate:

The heir to a family of bankers, textile merchants, and vineyard owners, Philippe Clicquot founded his champagne house in 1772, with an anchor as its symbol and exportation as its goal. His son died prematurely in 1805, and it was his daughter-in-law, Barbe-Nicole Ponsardin, then aged 27, who took over the company and went down in history. An accomplished businesswoman, she ran the company for much of the 19th century, driving its considerable growth. Today, the company owns nearly 400 hectares of vineyards, and its yellow label is known throughout the world. It has been part of the LVMH group since 1987.

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About wine:

The Grande Dame 2018 displays the beautiful maturity of this vintage without any softness. The juice is relaxed from its early youth. The volume on the palate confirms our judgment, the texture is clear, even if the wine still has some reserve.

About the estate:

The luxury group LVMH, owner since 1987, has made Veuve Clicquot the second largest Champagne brand by volume with its famous Carte Jaune brut (the best-selling Champagne in the US). The house owns premier and grand cru vineyards, which are mainly used for vintage and Grande Dame cuvées. Marked by Pinot Noir, Clicquot wines are historically renowned for their vinous and structured palate. The team led by cellar master Dominique Demarville strives to maintain the difficult balance between volume growth and quality. The rosés have a fruity identity thanks to the quality of the Pinots from Veuve Clicquot's historic vineyards in Bouzy.

Wine Spectator

Jancis Robinson

About wine:

Remarkably fine mousse. Explosive—firework-like texture. Smoky Pinot aroma and rather rich on the palate. Aromas of baked apple and, for now, just a hint of astringency on the finish. Richer than any single-estate champagne I know, but impressively powerful!

James Suckling

About wine:

A delicious subtle aroma of baked apples, heather, jasmine, and flint precedes a medium body with a dense, fruity palate. Notes of pear and lychee with a hint of honey and a touch of marzipan. A blend of 90% Pinot Noir and 10% Chardonnay. Drink now or cellar.