1990 Champagne Veuve Clicquot, La Grande Dame, Rosé, Brut
Critics reviews
Pale orange. Powerfully aromatic, spicy nose of raspberry, earth pancetta and spices; quite Burgundian. Full-bodied, powerful and concentrated, with strong, ripe red berry flavours. Shows lovely sweetness of fruit in the middle but finishes adamantly dry. Strong acidity gives this young wine terrific grip and thrust.
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous.com (November 2000)
About this WINE
Veuve Clicquot
Philippe Clicquot-Muiron established Veuve Clicquot in 1772. However, it was Phillipe`s daughter-in-law, Nicole-Barbe Clicquot, who really laid the foundations of the modern company. She was one of the great innovators - it was she who invented remuage in the early 19th century. Now it is part of the LVMH group. The Non-Vintage Brut is a blend of 55% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay and 15% Pinot Meunier. It has a nose of white fruits and freshly baked bread and is fresh and balanced on the palate. The vintage wines are similar in character but with more depth of fruit and more structure. La Grande Dame, first made in 1969, is a rich, smooth and finely textured Champagne that simply oozes class and breeding.
Rosé Champagne
Rosé wines are produced by leaving the juice of red grapes to macerate on their skins for a brief time to extract pigments (natural colourings). However, Rosé Champagne is notable in that it is produced by the addition of a small percentage of red wine – usually Pinot Noir from the village of Bouzy – during blending.
Recommended Producers : Billecart Salmon (Elizabeth Salmon Rose), Ruinart
Champagne blend
Which grapes are included in the blend, and their proportion, is one of the key factors determining the style of most Champagnes. Three grapes are used - Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier.
26% of vineyards in Champagne are planted with Chardonnay and it performs best on the Côtes des Blancs and on the chalk slopes south of Epernay. It is relatively simple to grow, although it buds early and thus is susceptible to spring frosts. It produces lighter, fresher wines than those from Burgundy and gives finesse, fruit and elegance to the final blend. It is the sole grape in Blancs de Blancs, which are some of the richest long-lived Champagnes produced.
Pinot Noir accounts for nearly 40% of the plantings in Champagne and lies at the heart of most blends - it gives Champagne its body, structure, strength and grip. It is planted across Champagne and particularly so in the southern Aube district.
The final component is Pinot Meunier and this constitutes nearly 35% of the plantings. Its durability and resistance to spring frosts make the Marne Valley, a notorious frost pocket, its natural home. It ripens well in poor years and produces a soft, fruity style of wine that is ideal for blending with the more assertive flavours of Pinot Noir. Producers allege that Pinot Meunier lacks ageing potential, but this does not deter Krug from including around 15% of it in their final blends.
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Description
The 1990 Brut Rosé La Grande Dame is a Champagne that offers a refined and delicate sensory experience. The nose of the wine reveals enticing aromas of dried orange peel, adding a touch of citrusy brightness. Complementing this are notes of vanilla, imparting a subtle sweetness, along with toasted walnuts that contribute a nutty and savoury element. Additionally, hints of mocha provide a rich and decadent undertone to the aroma profile.
The wine showcases layers of flavours on the palate that captivate the senses. It displays good fruit depth, indicating a range of flavours unfolding with each sip. The precise fruits present in the wine may vary, but they are likely to be nuanced and well-integrated, contributing to the wine's complexity. The vibrant acidity gives the Champagne a refreshing and lively character while offering a soothing quality that balances the flavours.
This wine is ready to be enjoyed now, inviting enthusiasts to savour its exquisite qualities. It is sure to captivate those who appreciate exceptional Champagne.
Adrian Brice, Fine Wine Buyer, Berry Bros. & Rudd (March 2023)
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