As with every Veuve Clicquot Vintage Rose champagne, Pinot Noir dominates. Making up to 61% of the blend. It comes essentially from the south of the Montagne de Reims and the Marne Valley, with the following Grands and Premiers Crus: Ambonnay, Bouzy, Tauxi�res, Avenay and Ay. The northern slope of the Montagne de Reims is also present: Verzy, Verzenay and Ludes. The Chardonnay comes entirely from the C�te des Blancs (Mesnil sur Oger, Oger, Vertus) and makes up 34%. The Meunier is from the Montagne de Reims (Ludes) and the Marne Valley (Dizy) and completes the blend at 5%. The Bouzy red wines make up 14% of the final blend. Bright pink colour with light copper hues. A gentle and persistent string of very delicate bubbles forms, exploding on the surface. The nose is frank, fine and pure. It begins first with the aromas of fresh red fruits (strawberry, raspberry, cherry) combined with citrus fruit fragrances (grapefruit) that match perfectly with the lightly spiced notes of cinnamon and vanilla revealed once allowed to breathe. Finally, dried fruit and brioche notes delicately add to the richness and complexity of its aromas. Fully-bodied, structured and energetic palate. A perfect reflection of the nose, its minerality reveals generous red fruit aromas from the Pinot Noir (Morello cherry) combined with notes of slightly candied citrus fruit from the Chardonnay. Hints of sweet pastries point to the wine's long and slow maturation on lees. Lastly, marrying with the juicy freshness of the fruit, the power of the tannins is perfectly balanced, leading to a delicate and silky finish of surprising length. 2008 was declared a Veuve Clicquot Vintage, the third in the decade following 2002 and 2004 and the House's 65th since its first Vintage of 1810. New to this 2008 Vintage is the 5% of the wines were produced and aged in wooden casks from forests in Central France, from Allier and Vosges. This was to increase the complexity and aromatic richness of our Vintages, our gourmet wines. These cask-aged wines act as the spices for the blend. They bring very lightly woody, vanilla and toasted aromas. The bottle comes presented in a Veuve Clicquot Vintage Rose branded box. |
