2008 Veuve Clicquot la Grande Dame
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Tasting Notes
An elegant floral nose, with delicate notes of figs, marzipan and slate. The palate has a wonderfully creamy mouthfeel, with a core of citrus as well as red fruit, but overall an ethereal presence leaving a fresh, saline, cleansing and mineral impression. Extremely clean and harmonious whilst powerful, with great promise for complexity and depth.
Critic Scores
Average Score
William Kelley, Wine Advocate
James Suckling
More reviews and scores
Still very youthful, this proves that pinot noir can give super-elegant, cool and tightly focused Champagne. Toastiness and spice build on the very long and tightly wound finish. Almost a blanc de noir with just 10% chardonnay blended into the overwhelming majority of pinot noir. Drink or hold.
Exhibiting aromas of pear, toasted brad, confit citrus and smoke, the 2008 Brut La Grande Dame is full-bodied, rich and textural, with a deep and layered core, ripe but racy acids and a saline finish. A blend dominated by fully 92% Pinot Noir, this is true to the cuvée's rich and muscular style, but the vintage lends it welcome additional cut and precision. It's showing a lot better than the bottles I tasted in the United States last year.
An elegant Champagne, powered by a sculpted frame of acidity and minerality, this wears the refined, lacy mousse and well-meshed flavors of black currant, lemon curd, toast and marzipan like finely tailored clothing. Fresh and lasting, with hints of spice and smoke on the finish. Disgorged August 2016. Drink now through 2033.