Veuve Clicquot Champagne La Grande Dame Brut 2012 Edition Yayoi Kusama

- 96 DECANTER Simon Filed MW: „A generous golden colour betrays the dominance of Pinot Noir in the blend; this theme thereafter maintained by aromatics of fig, wild strawberries and Mirabelle plums; behind that, jasmine, red apples and a distant whiff of woodsmoke. Engaging already, in other words. One’s impressions are confirmed and amplified on the palate, with the aspiration voiced by both chef de caves Dominique and Didier, to allow the ‘cooler’ Pinot Noir sites full rein. This is eloquently evidenced by a subtle and deftly textured structure, the primary fruit notes of nectarine and citrus peel underscored by a richer, still somewhat reticent, core, darker and more savoury of intent and oh, so subtle at the moment. I have every confidence that this characteristic will come into its own over the longer term and mark the 2012 as one of the more successful outings for this outstanding cuvée.“ 2020-2036

- 95 Punkte FALSTAFF, Anne Krebiehl MW: „Vanille und Cremigkeit in der Nase erinnern an frisches Plundergebäck und leicht rauchigen Noten. Am Gaumen zeigt sich eine kreidige Tiefe und eine charmante Vielfältigkeit, die fokussiert, direkt und frisch in Erscheinung trifft. Am Gaumen ist der Wein einladenden und präsent mit seinen steinigen und kalkigen Aromen. Der Abgang ist trocken und salzig.“ 

- 95 Punkte, Wine Spectator Alison Napjus: „Fine and graceful, this dances across the palate with its bright, well-defined freshness and detailed flavors of Mandarin orange, toast point, crème de cassis and minerally oyster shell. Subtle in its intensity, with all the pieces seamlessly knit into an elegant whole. Disgorged September 2019. Drink now through 2030.“

- 94 Punkte, Meiningers. Sommelier, Die große Champagner-Verkostung, Vintage Brut (11/2022): „sehr einladende, helle Fruchtigkeit mit frischem Apfel, Kumquat, Melisse, Bergamotte, helle Hefigkeit im Hintergrund, Pistazie; saftig, pikantes, im Schmelz und Biskuit verpacktes Säurespiel, hell-mandelige, leicht süßliche Länge.“

- 94 Punkte James Suckling: „Aromas of lime zest, lemon and brioche follow through to a full body with a round, creamy texture, fine bubbles and a delicious finish. Direct and focused 2012. Lots of elegance and energy in this.“  Drink or hold.

Bewertungen für Jahrgang 2008:

- Robert Parkers WINE ADVOCATE, William Kelley: "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"

- WINE ENTHUSIAST, Roger Voss: "This rich Champagne is dominated, as usual, by Pinot Noir. Its ripe fruit is approaching maturity, the hints of toast and croissant becoming more apparent. It is balanced, rich but textured and with an opulent, ripe aftertaste. Drink now."

- 95 Punkte WINESPECTATOR, Alison Napjus: "An elegant Champagne, powered by a sculpted frame of acidity and minerality, this wears the refined, lacy mousse and well-meshed flavors of black currant, lemon curd, toast and marzipan like finely tailored clothing. Fresh and lasting, with hints of spice and smoke on the finish. Disgorged August 2016. Drink now through 2033."

- 97 Punkte FALSTAFF: "Mittleres Gelbgold, Silberreflexe, feines, lebendiges Mousseux. Mit angenehmen Röstaromen unterlegte, reife gelbe Fruchtnuancen von Marille und Birne, ein Hauch von Feigen und Brioche. Saftig und druckvoll am Gaumen, extraktsüßer Kern, gut strukturiertes Säurespiel, ein Hauch von Nougat im Abgang, das von salzigen mineralischen Nuancen begleitet wird, ein eleganter, facettenreicher Speisenbegleiter. "

- 97 Punkte DECANTER, Tyson Stelzer: "Now almost blanc de noirs, boasting 92% Pinot Noir and just 8% Chardonnay from 60%-70% estate vineyards. La Grande Dame is one of the most affordable of Champagne’s elite prestige set, and the stunning 2008 vintage was intricately engineered by the masterful Dominique Demarville for the long haul. It unites all of the enduring potential of its thundering grands crus with the tension and energy of this legendary season, colliding high-tensile acidity with deep, fine, powdery chalk minerality, bringing its finish into stark focus. Drinking Window 2020 – 2048"

- Punkte JANCIS ROBINSON: "Disgorged January 2018. This is the first Grande Dame made by Dominique Demarville. He decided to push the percentage of Pinot Noir to the max. 92% Pinot Noir, mainly from Verzy (37%) and Verzenay (14%), which represents 51% of the blend. Also 23% Bouzy, 4% Ambonnay and 14% Aÿ. Plus 8% Chardonnay from Le Mesnil. Dosage 6 g/l.
Very tight and energetic even if not that much charm. Constant bead. A little introvert and the aroma has to fight a bit to make its presence felt. Dominique says he is concentrating on lightness (corrected later to brightness) for the Grande Dame (and power for the vintage – which seems a little counterintuitive). Lots of acidity and introversion. He recommends this for an aperitif or very light food."