Veuve Clicquot's Demarville reveals 2006 vintage La Grande Dame
Yesterday saw the launch of the 2006 vintage of Veuve Clicquot's prestige cuvée, La Grande Dame 2006.
It was unveiled at a London tasting by Veuve Clicquot chef du cave, Dominique Demarville.
The 2006 blend is 53% Pinot Noir and 47% Chardonnay.
Grapes for La Grande Dame came exclusively from the house's eight classic grands crus vineyards.
The Pinot Noir came from Aÿ in the Grande Vallée de la Marne and Bouzy, Ambonnay, Verzy and Verzenay in the Montagne de Reims.
The Chardonnay was sourced from Avize, Oger and Le Mesnil-sur-Oger in the Côte des Blancs.
Demarville said: "Winter was particularly cold and long, spring was mixed, but we had good weather for budding. The weather in late June during flowering was unseasonably hot and then summer was chaotic - conditions in August were more akin to those in late autumn.
"Fortunately, the mature vines were able to draw on their reserves in the chalky soil and produced an abundant yield of superb quality.
"The Grande Dame 2006 is a wonderful combination of freshness and voluptuousness.
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Dominique Demarville |
"Ageing has just enriched the balance that we saw at the harvest and during vinification.
"This vintage of La Grande dame will give pleasure until at least 2025."
La Grande Dame Rosé 2006 was also launched yesterday. It is a blend of 85% white still wine - of which 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay - and 15% Bouzy Rouge.
The Pinot Noir grapes for the latter came from Clos Colin.
Demarville described the cuvée as "complex, full, rich and structured with the same balancing freshness as the Grande Dame 2006. "The tannins are already very well integrated and can be expected to blend in still further over the coming years," he said.
La Grande Dame 2006 will retail at £120, La Grande Dame Rosé 2006 at £225.
They are currently available in the off-trade through Jeroboams, Hedonism, Farr Vintners and Vanquish, among others.
On-trade listings include L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon and Claridge's.
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