Veuve Clicquot 2008 - La Grande Dame Rose 750 ml.
Country: France
Region: Champagne
Varietal: Pinot Noir; Chardonnay
Vintage: 2008
Size: 750 ml.
Beginning with the Bouzy vineyards that originally belonged to founder Philippe Clicquot, subsequent generations - and more particularly Madame Clicquot - gradually built up the Veuve Clicquot property through determination, intuition and acumen to make it one of the foremost vineyards in all of Champagne. The Veuve Clicquot vineyards cover 393 hectares of land belonging to Veuve Clicquot to supply grapes to the House. It spreads over the very best Champagne growth areas: 12 of the 17 Grands Crus and 18 of the 44 Premiers Crus. The vineyards boast an exceptional average classification of close to 96%, a ranking that is based on the winegrowing properties of the terroir and the quality of the grapes produced. The vines are mostly planted on the hillside where the soil is the shallowest and exposure to the sun is at a maximum. 1995 began like the 3 previous years with a mild, wet winter. Budbreak took place between 6 and 17 April, one week ahead of time, given the average date of budbreak over the last few years. Some vineyards in the Marne and Aube were affected by frost at the end of April and mid-May but fortunately the House’s vines were not damaged. After a short cool period, hot, nearly summery weather conditions occurred and the end of flowering was excellent. July was particularly hot and stormy and the threat of mildew had never been as strong since 1958. Constant attention and excellent integrated control meant the future harvest could be saved. As the harvest approached the grapes matured rapidly, and a late attack of botrytis had no lasting effects. Harvesting for the Chardonnay began on 21 September, with Pinot Noir and Meunier following one week later. Staggering the dates of the harvest and selective picking meant good-quality grapes were brought in, thus maximising the potential quality of the vintage. The balance of musts was excellent. The 1995 vintage is similar to that of 1988, with an average strength of 9.5°GL and acidity levels of 9 g/l. The wine promises great ageing potential. The lots at Bouzy planted with Pinot Noir which go to make our red wines were harvested on 2 October. the cuvée The basic blend is made up of 53 % Pinot Noir from the grand crus in the Ay (Grande Vallée de la Marne) and Verzenay, Verzy, Ambonnay and Bouzy vineyards (Montagne de Reims). The other 32 % is composed of Chardonnay using three grand crus, Avize, Oger and Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, from the Côte des Blancs area. The Grande Dame Rosé 1995 is obtained with the addition of 15% of red wine made entirely from Pinot Noir grapes from the village of Bouzy. The vast majority of grapes comes from the Clos Colin, one of our best lots situated in the heart of this Grand Cru. the tasting The Grande Dame Rosé 1995 is limpid and has a magnificent warm, very deep colour with glowing bronze tones. Effervescence is fine and long-lasting. The quality and distinction of this vintage are mirrored in the intense, elegant nose. Notes of red fruits (raspberry, fresh strawberry) and toasted aromas (grilled flavours, gingerbread, dried fruit, honey) complement each other to perfection and bestow an unforgettable bouquet on this wine. In the mouth the wine confirms the complexity of the nose. With a rare aromatic concentration, the Grande Dame Rosé 1995 reveals exceptional fullness and volume and a dense, deep texture, with the Pinot Noir maintaining its structure. The silkiness so characteristic of La Grande Dame is already present and with time this sensation of mellowness will be accentuated. The extremely harmonious finish, together with the smoothness and mellowness of this wine, draws us into a world that radiates sensuality.