Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame 2008

Wineadvocate

Exhibiting aromas of pear, toasted brad, confit citrus and smoke, the 2008 Brut La Grande Dame is full-bodied, rich and textural, with a deep and layered core, ripe but racy acids and a saline finish. A blend dominated by fully 92% Pinot Noir, this is true to the cuvée's rich and muscular style, but the vintage lends it welcome additional cut and precision. It's showing a lot better than the bottles I tasted in the United States last year.

Morris

Dominique Demarville wanted to replicate the classical La Grande Vintages of old by maximising the expression of Pinot Noir (92% in the case of 2008). Biscuity aromas to the fore, with notes of Almond and chocolate. The palate has a firm line of acidity that gives way to stone fruits mid-palate, the aromas turn full circle and close down to a long, chalky minerality on the finish. The long lees aging has enriched the wine with a complex, yeasty richness that feels immediate, but experience tells me to wait for the fruit to build. Should give us long-term potential pleasure. Biscuity aromas to the fore, with notes of Almond and chocolate. The palate has a firm line of acidity that gives way to stone fruits mid-palate, the aromas turn full circle and close down to a long, chalky minerality on the finish. The long lees aging has enriched the wine with a complex, yeasty richness that feels immediate, but experience tells me to wait for the fruit to build. Should give us long-term potential pleasure.

Degustation