Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame 2015
LVMH’s second largest house, famous for plush, pinot-dominant wines and its instantly recognisable label colour
Grape Makeup:
90% Pinot Noir, 10% Chardonnay
Sweetness Level:
Brut
Ageing on Lees:
5+ years
Price:
$$$
Cellar:
10+ years
Category:
Collectible
Photos
What
LVMH’s second largest house, founded in 1772 and famous for the tenacity and innovation of the Widow Clicquot, Barbe-Nicole Ponsardin, as well as its instantly recognisable shade of yellow.
Where
Reims; 393 hectares of estate vineyards, 95% Grands or Premiers Crus, including holdings in 12/17 Grands Crus and 20/42 Premiers Crus. 47% chardonnay, 36% pinot noir and 17% meunier. The grapes for La Grande Dame all come from 8 historical plots of the house, with the original idea being to use only vineyards purchased by Madame Clicquot herself.
Why
Madame Clicquot always believed the best white wines of the house came from their black grapes; over the years La Grande Dame has grown ever more pinot-dominant, staying at around 90% since 2008. 2015, a year of structure and potency, decidedly favoured pinot and has created a wine of luxuriant ripeness but with admirable vibrancy.
What Else
Despite its enormity, Veuve Clicquot has been working on its sustainability since 1990; it now farms sustainably in 100% of its vineyards, with grass planted between the rows in 99% of its vineyards and no use of chemical herbicides. It has been experimenting with packaging made from alternative materials like potato starch and even grape skins.
Tasting Notes
Clearly showing the impact of its pinot-rich blend, this is rounded, soft and plush, with a dried peach and strawberry quality on the nose, with forest mushrooms, humus and oak moss overlaying the toasty, almost smoky yeast notes. Yet more enriching earthiness on the palate (a strong mossy quality, even bitter greens and wet clay) is beautifully padded out with rounded, oily flesh, all suffused with blazing acidity. Like a rich contralto voice, this is immensely firm and tense despite its size. A salutary herbal bitterness on the back (like scorched rosemary) lends it a final angle.
Try It With
Indulgent, luxuriant seafood like butter poached lobster.
When To Drink
Main course.
Perfect For
The most formidable woman in your life.
TL/DR
Rounded and plush but tense.
Supplier
MHD
