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Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame Rose(1990)

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Winery:: veuve clicquot
Varietal:: Champagne Blend
Region:: France > Champagne
Type:: Sparkling Wine
Color:: Rosé
User Tags:: berry, fruit, rich, texture, spice, mellow, after-taste, lenoir grape, acidic, style

US $600.00

LA GRANDE DAME ROSE 1990 THE VINTAGE After 1988 and 1989, two very good years, 1990 has been the third consecutive, truly great vintage for Champagne and represents a trilogy unique in its history. The climate in 1990 was very similar to that of 1989. After a damp, mild winter, budding began nearly a month in advance. The vines were then touched by spring frost on both 5th and 9th April, which affected nearly 12,000 hectares. Flowering began in the first fortnight of June. The weather was cooler which led to some poor grape set and mixed grape size in the later flowering areas. Summer arrived in July, read more...

with normal temperatures and rainfall. However, there was an exceptional level of sunshine, with over 2,100 hours noted. This was an absolute record for the last 30 years. As harvesting approached, the alcohol level developed rapidly and acidity remained stable. The Chardonnay was harvested at the beginning of the second week in September. The Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier were fully rip a week later. The must was remarkable, with an average alcohol level of over 10°5 GL and acidity reaching 8 g/l. The quality for these three Champagne vine varieties is superb and extremely consistent. THE CUVÉE The blend is based on the Pinot Noir (61%) coming from the Grands Crus of Ay in the Grande Vallée de la Marne region, and from Verzenay, Verzy, Ambonnay and Bouzy in the Montagne de Reims region. Chardonnay represents 39% of this blend, exclusively from three Grands Crus: Avize, Oger and Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, from the Côte des Blancs region. La Grande Dame Rosé 1990 also contains red wine (15%) made entirely of Pinot Noir from Bouzy. Most of the grapes come from Censières, one of our best vineyards, situated right in the center of this Grand Cru. ON THE SENSES … La Grande Dame Rosé 1990 has a magnificent warm color, with a luminous, very deep gold red tint. Effervescence is fine and persistent. The quality of the vintage is reflected in the intense and powerful nose. This richness is accompanied by noble notes of dried fruits (black figs, dates) and mild spices (vanilla) dominating a well-rounded, softer, almost creamy base. The richness of the nose is confirmed in the mouth. La Grande Dame Rosé 1990, with a rare concentration of aromas, reveals an exceptional, full volume. The texture is dense, deep and tightly woven. The structure of the Pinot Noir remains perfectly rounded. The silkiness of La Grande Dame cuvée is already present and, with time, this sensation of sweetness will develop. Gracious notes of black cherries and raspberries dominate the finish. La Grande Dame Rosé 1990 ends the trilogy 1988, 1989 and 1990 in a blaze of glory. This truly great champagne is first and foremost a magnificent wine accompanying refined cuisine. But connoisseurs will also enjoy it on its own superb merits, after an excellent meal, and rejoice in its exceptional flavor and taste. (hide)

Stephen Tanzer: International Wine Cellar; Issue 99, November/December 2001; 92/100

($235) Salmon-orange with a pale rim. Deep, smoky aromas of strawberry, pear cider, cinnamon, earth and maple syrup. Very rich in the mouth, but also shows excellent verve for a wine with such volume; superripe flavors of strawberry, rose petal, iron and earth. In texture and size, this comes across more like a red wine than a rose Champagne. Spicy finish is long and gripping.

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International Wine Cellar

92/100

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