Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame 2012

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Veuve Clicquot
La Grande Dame 2012

Vintage : 2012
Country : France
Region : Champagne
Subregion
Type : Champagne
Style
Format : 75cl
Alcohol : 12,5°
Grappes : 69% Pinot Noir, 31% Chardonnay

Experts		Score	Vintage
WS	Wine Spectator	95	2008
W&S	Wines & Spirits	95	2008
WE	Wine Enthusiast	93	2008
DCT	Decanter	90	2008
JS	James Suckling	94	2006
RP	Robert Parker	94	2006
JH	James Halliday	96	2004

More information on wine critics and ratings

Reviews

Wine Spectator (WS) : 95 Points (2008)

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.

Wines & Spirits (W&S) : 95 Points (2008)

This is a sunny and delicious 2008, with brightness infusing the wine, from its platinum color to its mineral intensity, transforming its richness and power into cool elegance. Notes of agave and cassia bark add depth, suggesting the complexity this will develop with further bottle age.

Wine Enthusiast (WE) : 93 Points (2008)

This rich Champagne is dominated, as usual, by Pinot Noir. Its ripe fruit is approaching maturity, the hints of toast and croissant becoming more apparent. It is balanced, rich but textured and with an opulent, ripe aftertaste. (RV) (12/2018)

Decanter (DCT) : 90 Points (2008)

Attractive and inviting with layers of yellow stone fruit, heady floral and nut aromas, the palate is rich with elegant fruit.

James Suckling (JS) : 94 Points (2006)

The Grande Dame is looking bright, gently complex and a little spicy in 2006 where the grapefruit citrus is a strong influence on the nose, showing sweet florals, a little honeyed nougat and almond paste. The palate's bright and crisp and really has an air of fleshy depth and refinement. There's also a great warm, toasty finish that displays grilled hazelnuts. Great now through to to 2020 and beyond.

Robert Parker (RP) : 94 Points (2006)

The prestigious 2006 La Grande Dame is made from 47% Chardonnay and 53% Pinot Noir, and assembles the fruit of eight grand cru villages. Very intense and complex on the nose, this is a full-bodied, round, rich and mouth-filling, but also refined prestige cuvée; it reveals a fascinating purity, precision and freshness. The finish is long and complex, and shows a spicy minerality. There are coffee beans, bread and toast aromas in the aftertaste. This comes highly recommended.

James Halliday (JH) : 96 Points (2004)

True to form, Demarville presented this wine first, not last; I have never encountered this approach before, the rationale lying in the complete nature of the wine. A blend of 61% pinot noir and 39% chardonnay from grand cru vineyards, it was disgorged last year, the dosage 7g/l. The fine mousse helps generate beautiful mouthfeel to its array of rounded peach and apple fruit, contrasting notes of cream and mineral dancing through the long travel in the mouth.