Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin
La Grande Dame Brut Champagne Blend
Champagne, France

I am seldom dumbfounded when it comes to wine. So, I appreciate it when that happens.
This 1990 La Grande Dame was amazing and so fresh. Full disclosure, I am not normally impressed by this producer and this cuvée. Unusual for a champagne of 35 yrs to be so fresh in my experience from inception. So much so, if poured blind many would call it N/V or a fairly recent vintage. The color was even palish straw. Mags were brought from their Champagne House.
Excellent with the dessert of the evening, “Lemon Meringue Pie Cookie.”
Enjoyed at the 2026 “From Cellar Event” Pebble Beach Food and Wine.
Creator is Sumaiya Bangee.
NEW YORK, NY
All in Hospitality and Thulathan
@_sumaiya_bangee_
I am seldom dumbfounded when it comes to wine. So, I appreciate it when that happens.
This 1990 La Grande Dame was amazing and so fresh. Full disclosure, I am not normally impressed by this producer and this cuvée. Unusual for a champagne of 35 yrs to be so fresh in my experience from inception. So much so, if poured blind many would call it N/V or a fairly recent vintage. The color was even palish straw. Mags were brought from their Champagne House.
Excellent with the dessert of the evening, “Lemon Meringue Pie Cookie.”
Enjoyed at the 2026 “From Cellar Event” Pebble Beach Food and Wine.
Creator is Sumaiya Bangee.
NEW YORK, NY
All in Hospitality and Thulathan
@_sumaiya_bangee_
Very tasty. A touch oxidized in the nose but with air the citrus flavors really blossomed. A winner, plus love the old style bottle.
Very tasty. A touch oxidized in the nose but with air the citrus flavors really blossomed. A winner, plus love the old style bottle.
Dec 3rd, 2023
Marine and iodene on the nose. The palate is richer- toasty notes, some warmth. Great acidity and fizz still. Not as complex s some but pretty good stuff
Marine and iodene on the nose. The palate is richer- toasty notes, some warmth. Great acidity and fizz still. Not as complex s some but pretty good stuff
Apr 16th, 2023
Popped and poured; no formal notes as it was enjoyed quickly due to the setting and our celebratory mood. What I do recall is that this is a very fine Champagne however, it comes across a touch rounder than most 2008's at this level. The acid is sneaky however and I suspect time will reward those with patience.
Popped and poured; no formal notes as it was enjoyed quickly due to the setting and our celebratory mood. What I do recall is that this is a very fine Champagne however, it comes across a touch rounder than most 2008's at this level. The acid is sneaky however and I suspect time will reward those with patience.
Mar 20th, 2023
Excellent but needs time still! 5 years and this will be sweet!
Excellent but needs time still! 5 years and this will be sweet!
Dec 21st, 2022
Delicious. Light bright and fresh. Surprisingly accessible
Delicious. Light bright and fresh. Surprisingly accessible
Jul 5th, 2022
Vintage 1995 | oxy style | paired with a shrimp mango cocktail
Vintage 1995 | oxy style | paired with a shrimp mango cocktail
May 13th, 2022
Dunno, I guess the color of the label seemed thematically appropriate for Halloween, but does one really need an excuse for opening a nice bottle of champagne! This one showed up alongside a demo unit of the latest Coravin Sparkling Wine Preserver @coravin, which I’m putting to the test over the next couple of weeks. It’s been a few years since I’ve had La Grande Dame, and my memory of it was richer and more autolytic than this 2008 was this evening. Precise and taut with a nice balance between crisp apple fruit, citrus pith and a more saline and brioche quality barely scented with marzipan.
Dunno, I guess the color of the label seemed thematically appropriate for Halloween, but does one really need an excuse for opening a nice bottle of champagne! This one showed up alongside a demo unit of the latest Coravin Sparkling Wine Preserver @coravin, which I’m putting to the test over the next couple of weeks. It’s been a few years since I’ve had La Grande Dame, and my memory of it was richer and more autolytic than this 2008 was this evening. Precise and taut with a nice balance between crisp apple fruit, citrus pith and a more saline and brioche quality barely scented with marzipan.
Nov 1st, 2021




