Veuve Clicquot la Grande Dame 1985

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Starting at: $495^.95

3 Reviews

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Winery:

Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin

Varietal:

Champagne Blend

Region:

France > Champagne

Type:

Sparkling Wine

Color:

White

Drink Dates:

Drink Now

UPC:

 

User Tags:  (tree) fruit, pome, character, finish - long, acidic, apple, resinous, lively, lemon, oak 

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What to Expect

Champagne is specifically a sparkling wine made in the Champagne region of France; every other sparkling is simply that, sparkling wine. Made to be aged for a few to many years, in many languages "Champagne" is synonymous with "party". When young, Champagne exhibits the fresh fruit tones of its "cepage", or blend. Usually based on a blend the features either Chardonnay or Pinot Noir as its main ingredient, Champagne's fruit can range from citrusy to orchard fruits and even red berries. The wine gains distinct yeasty notes from its secondary fermentation, the one that adds the fizz, which is typically described as recalling brioche or bread. As it ages Champagne tends to lose its obvious fruit, which is replaced by subtle nutty tones and subdued elements of dried fruits.

Winemakers Notes

LA GRANDE DAME 1985
THE VINTAGE
The 1985 Vintage will be remembered for the quality of the harvest as well as for
the dramatic winter frosts. Indeed, during January, the temperature reaches -25°C for several days. This wave of exceptionally cold weather has a considerable effect on the vineyards; more than 2,000 hectares have to be replaced. The Pinot Noir located in the « Montagne de Reims » suffers most from these frosts. At the end of April spring frosts cause more damage in the North West of the Montagne de Reims. Fortunately though, July is splendid and flowering takes place read more...under good conditions. An exceptionally warm autumn season, with the harvest beginning in early October, leads to very good quality grapes picked in ideal harvest conditions.

THE BLEND
This cuvée consists of eight Grands Crus, which are among the most prestigious in
the Champagne region. Our vineyards in Avize, Oger and Mesnil-sur-Oger, in the Côte des Blancs, produced 37% of the Chardonnay used in the blend. The remaining 63% of Pinot Noir come from our best parcels on the Montagne de Reims and the Vallée de la Marne, from the villages of Verzenay, Verzy, Ambonnay, Bouzy and Ay.

ON THE SENSES…
A deep gold colour, with a nice and fine bead. Complex and intense nose : dry fruits, toasted bread, with a hint of smoky, almost flinty aroma. After a few minutes in contact with the air the wine develops some typical notes of the Pinot Noir variety : spices, underwood, leather,… The palate is typical of the 1985 vintage : concentrated and powerful thanks to the great level maturity achieved in the grapes as well as the low yields. The toasty/yeasty flavours are intense. The finish is long and structured.
The power and the balance of La Grande Dame 1985 make it a superb Champagne
to be paired with a dish such as a sea-bass served with black truffles.    (hide)

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