Wine Advisor
Veuve Clicquot, La Grande Dame Brut Rose 2015
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Yohan Castaing
A blend of 90% Chardonnay and 10% Pinot Noir (with 13% of red wine), the 2015 Brut Rosé La Grande Dame exhales a complex, elegant bouquet of red berries, flowers, spices, pastry and citrus blossom. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and vinous, it’s perfectly balanced with a pinpoint mousse, a delicate core of fruit and an ethereal, long and mineral finish. This lovely rendition of La Grande Dame Rosé could age well over the next decade.
About the Producer
Champagne Veuve Clicquot has been producing high-quality champagne since 1772, and the history of this ancient champagne house is closely linked to a remarkable woman, Madame Veuve. Philippe Clicquot, Madame Clicquot's father-in-law, founded the brand in northern France. In 1775, Veuve Clicquot creatively brewed the world's first pink champagne, and since then, Veuve Clicquot has become the standard for pink champagne brewing. In 1798, Francois, son of Philippe Veuve, who was on a mission to revitalize the family business, married Barbe Nicole Ponsardin, later Madame Veuve. In 1805, Francois (Francois) died young, his only 27-year-old widow, Madame Veuve, defying all opinions, regardless of worldly vision and suspicion, resolutely inherited her husband's career. She led Veuve Clicquot through the most difficult period with her extraordinary energy, wise and resolute courage and lively and intelligent heart. In the early 19th century, when Europe was under the blockade of Napoleon, Mrs. Veuve Clicquot tactfully broke through the trade blockade and shipped a large amount of champagne to Russia. Driven by the pursuit of perfection and the courage to innovate, Mrs. Veuve Clicquot invented the bottle-turning method that effectively removes precipitation in 1816 and brewed champagne with clear wine and excellent quality. This world-renowned technological innovation has led the trend of the champagne brewing industry. . 200 years ago, when most wine labels used dull tones, Madame Veuve Clicquot chose brilliant golden yellow as the symbol of Veuve Clicquot. Her enterprising spirit and sagacity were also recognized by the world, and she was affectionately known as the "Grand Dame of Champagne". In 1986, Cage Champagne was acquired by the world's top luxury goods company Louis Vuitton (LVMH). At present, the 393 hectares of vineyards under Veuve Clicquot Champagne have been bought by Madame Veuve Clicquot and her heirs piece by piece over the years. In terms of size and quality, Veuve Clicquot is already one of the most important vineyards in the entire Champagne region. All batches of Veuve Clicquot (by grape type, vineyard, and even grape plot) are kept separately, fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats, and undergo complete malolactic fermentation. The winemaker's familiarity and understanding of the wine and the winemaking process enables Veuve Clicquot to brew non-vintage champagnes with consistent quality, such as Brut Yellow Label and Demi-Sec. In good years, the winery is able to blend and blend great vintage champagnes. Champagne blending ratios are not static, but most Veuve Clicquot vintages contain around 60% Pinot Noir. Vintage Champagnes are consistently excellent, with aromas of cassis and brioche, mature in style, relatively full-bodied, and even better with age. The best recent years are: 1996, 1990 and 1955. La Grande Dame is the first champagne brewed in 1972 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the establishment of Veuve Clicquot. It is the most famous champagne in the Veuve Clicquot brand. This wine will only be brewed in a particularly outstanding year. The grapes are collected from top vineyards owned by Veuve Clicquot. In addition, the production of Champagne Rosé Ladies is very small, and it is difficult to see it in the market.
