Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin
La Grande Dame Brut Champagne Blend
Champagne, France
Popped and poured to celebrate a pretty cool personal and professional achievement; enjoyed over a two hour period. This particular bottle has been stored in my cellar since release. The 2004 “La Grande Dame” pours a brilliant yellow color with medium+ viscosity and a persistent mousse of fine bubbles. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of golden raspberry, Meyer lemon, some apple, some brioche and nuts; just a touch oxidative. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. However, I feel compelled to share that this gave me the overall impression of a sort of liquid lemon-raspberry custard croissant with shaved almonds on top. It was awesome. The finish was long and there is some palpable density in this wine. So much so that I think these easily have another 10-15 years in them. That being said, this was yummy and I wouldn’t hesitate to enjoy now.
Popped and poured to celebrate a pretty cool personal and professional achievement; enjoyed over a two hour period. This particular bottle has been stored in my cellar since release. The 2004 “La Grande Dame” pours a brilliant yellow color with medium+ viscosity and a persistent mousse of fine bubbles. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of golden raspberry, Meyer lemon, some apple, some brioche and nuts; just a touch oxidative. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. However, I feel compelled to share that this gave me the overall impression of a sort of liquid lemon-raspberry custard croissant with shaved almonds on top. It was awesome. The finish was long and there is some palpable density in this wine. So much so that I think these easily have another 10-15 years in them. That being said, this was yummy and I wouldn’t hesitate to enjoy now.
Apr 10th, 2024
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, 2023Popped 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, 2022Delicious. 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