VeuveClicquotLaGrandeDamexSimonPorteJacquemusLimitedEdition2018

Founded in 1772, Veuve Clicquot is a House steeped in rich history that owes its success largely to one woman, Barbe-Nicole Clicquot-Ponsardin. Madame Clicquot also invented the riddling rack on her kitchen table, an apparatus that removes the sediment from the bottle after second fermentation still used in the region today. Veuve Clicquot own a respectable 382 hectares of vineyards with an emphasis on Pinot Noir. The House maintains the largest collection of old reserve wines in Champagne, these help give Yellow Label its complexity while ensuring the high quality is maintained in the world’s second bestselling Champagne brand. In 2008 Dominique Demarville joined as Cellar Master, he “refreshed the brandâ€?including increasing the proportion of Pinot Noir in La Grande Dame to 90%+ and with blending shifts he brought a new freshness in Yellow Label. In 2019 Didier Mariotti took over as Cellar Master.rrCreated in 1972 to celebrate the bicentenary of the House, La Grande Dame is a tribute to Madame Clicquot also known as ‘La Grande Dame de la Champagneâ€? Veuve Clicquot’s prestige cuvée, it is an exclusive blend of eight of their historical Grand Crus and is a mineral and fresh expression of the Veuve Clicquot style.rrLimited Edition: From the gift box sheathed in “toile du Maraisâ€?to the bottle wrapped in white linen, this limited edition reflects French designer Simon Porte Jacquemusâ€?singular vision: where artisanal excellence meets everyday poetry. Sun rays and a ribbon alternating the Veuve Clicquot logo and Simon’s signature bridge the worlds of couture and champagne. Inspired by an old cooling method, the reusable white linen can be soaked in water and wrapped around the bottle to maintain its freshness.rrLa Grande Dame 2018 showcases the Pinot Noir grape, which comprises 90% of the blend, staying true to Madame Clicquot’s vision: ‘Our black grapes make the finest white wines.â€?Deep and precise, the 2018 vintage stands out as one of the most exceptional harvests in recent years.rrWeather: The 2018 year started cold particularly February with some snowfall. By April the sunshine emerged leading to flowering at the end of May, some 10 days ahead of the 10 year average.Summer was hot and mostly dry with harvest starting on 20th August and lasted some 4 weeks.The lower night time temperatures during summer helped preserve the grapes natural acidity. In general all grapes performed well, with lots of forward fruit and most champagne will have ok acidity, not racy, not soft. Becoming a new benchmark for the Champagne region in terms of the heat, drought and sunshine levels!rrTechnical Information:rVineyards: 100% Grand Cru | Pinot Noir: Ambonnay, Aÿ, Bouzy, Verzenay, Verzy | Chardonnay: Le Mesnil-sur-OgerrGrape Varieties: 90% Pinot Noir, 10% ChardonnayrLees Ageing: 5 years rDisgorged: February 2024rDosage: 6 g/lrAlcohol: 12.5%rDrink: Now for 10 years +rrTasting Note: The 2018 La Grande Dame is a very pretty wine that shows the contemporary style that is prevalent here these days. Floral overtones lift a core of citrus fruit, while marzipan, anise, mint, dried pear and spice open with a bit of coaxing. The 2018 is a delicate Grand Dame, as most Champagnes are in a vintage in which yields were exceptionally high. I especially admire the finesse here.- Tasted by Antonio Galloni