Experience the pinnacle of Champagne excellence with Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame 2018. This prestigious cuvée is the ultimate tribute to the visionary Madame Clicquot, a woman whose audacity and ingenuity forever shaped the world of Champagne. Crafted only in exceptional years, La Grande Dame 2018 is a testament to the House's terroir and the noble character of Pinot Noir. Elevate your finest moments with this icon of luxury, available through our preferred online retail partner, Nestor Liquor.
The 2018 vintage is a wine of structure and elegance, dominated by an impressive 90% Pinot Noir sourced from Veuve Clicquot's historic Grand Cru vineyards. This blend reflects Madame Clicquot's belief in the supremacy of the Pinot Noir grape, providing the strong, complex backbone for which this cuvée is revered. Balanced with 10% Chardonnay for freshness and finesse, this is a Champagne with remarkable depth and aging potential.
Key Specifications:
Product: Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame Brut Champagne
Vintage: 2018
Grape Composition: 90% Pinot Noir, 10% Chardonnay
Dosage: 6 g/L (Brut)
ABV: 12.5%
Crus: Sourced from historic Grand Crus including Aÿ, Verzenay, Verzy for Pinot Noir, and Avize, Oger, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger for Chardonnay.
Distillery: Veuve Clicquot, Reims, France
Brand History: A Tribute to "The Great Lady" of Champagne
Founded in 1772, Veuve Clicquot owes its name and legacy to Barbe-Nicole Ponsardin, the "Veuve" (Widow) Clicquot who took control of the House in 1805. At a time when women had no place in the business world, Madame Clicquot ("La Grande Dame") thrived, making revolutionary innovations like the first vintage Champagne and the riddling table. La Grande Dame was launched in 1972 to celebrate the bicentennial of the House, crafted from the finest crus to honor the memory of this extraordinary woman. It remains the rarest and most prestigious expression in the Veuve Clicquot portfolio.
Tasting Notes: A Symphony of Elegance and Structure
The 2018 vintage of La Grande Dame is a beautifully complex and refined Champagne:
Nose: An exceptionally delicate and floral bouquet. Initial notes of jasmine and honeysuckle open up to aromas of pear, quince, and fresh almond.
Palate: A precise and elegant palate. The texture is silky, revealing notes of dried apricot, hazelnut, and toasted brioche. The Pinot Noir provides a powerful structure and complexity, while the Chardonnay brings a balancing freshness and a distinct chalky minerality.
Finish: The finish is remarkably long, pure, and saline, with a lingering elegance that showcases its great aging potential.
Why La Grande Dame 2018 is an Essential Champagne:
A Legendary Prestige Cuvée: This is the top expression from one of the world's most famous and respected Champagne Houses.
A Celebration of Pinot Noir: The 90% Pinot Noir blend offers a unique opportunity to experience the power, structure, and complexity of this noble grape.
An Exceptional Vintage: The 2018 vintage is noted for its quality, yielding a Champagne that is both expressive now and capable of aging beautifully for decades.
The Ultimate Gift: With its iconic bottle and luxurious gift box, La Grande Dame is the perfect choice for commemorating life's most significant milestones.
This is a Champagne that embodies sophistication, strength, and the visionary spirit of its namesake. Contact Nestor Liquor today to inquire about securing a bottle of the Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame 2018.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Q: What is a "prestige cuvée"?
A: A prestige cuvée is the very best Champagne a House produces. It is typically made only in exceptional vintage years from the finest grapes from the best vineyard plots (crus), and it is often aged longer than other champagnes, resulting in greater complexity.
Q: How does La Grande Dame differ from the Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label?
A: The Yellow Label is Veuve Clicquot's signature non-vintage brut, blended for a consistent House style. La Grande Dame is a vintage-dated prestige cuvée, made only in the best years from the finest Grand Cru vineyards. It has a much higher percentage of Pinot Noir (90% vs. ~50-55%) and is aged significantly longer, making it more complex, structured, and age-worthy.
Q: Can I age this Champagne?
A: Absolutely. La Grande Dame 2018 is built for aging. It will continue to develop more complex, tertiary notes of honey, nuts, and toasted bread over the next 15-20 years if stored properly in a cool, dark place.
Q: What is the best way to enjoy La Grande Dame?
A: To fully appreciate its complexity, serve it chilled (around 50-54°F or 10-12°C) in a white wine glass rather than a narrow flute, which will allow its intricate aromas to open up. It pairs beautifully with fine cuisine like seafood, poultry, and aged cheeses.
Q: Where can I purchase Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame 2018?
A: This is a high-end, allocated Champagne. We recommend contacting our preferred retail partner, Nestor Liquor, to inquire about their inventory and availability.
