Founded in 1772, Veuve Clicquot is a House steeped in rich history that owes its success largely to one woman, Barbe-Nicole Clicquot-Ponsardin. Madame Clicquot also invented the riddling rack on her kitchen table, an apparatus that removes the sediment from the bottle after second fermentation still used in the region today. Veuve Clicquot own a respectable 382 hectares of vineyards with an emphasis on Pinot Noir. The House maintains the largest collection of old reserve wines in Champagne, these help give Yellow Label its complexity while ensuring the high quality is maintained in the world’s second bestselling Champagne brand. In 2008 Dominique Demarville joined as Cellar Master, he “refreshed the brand” including increasing the proportion of Pinot Noir in La Grande Dame to 90%+ and with blending shifts he brought a new freshness in Yellow Label. In 2019 Didier Mariotti took over as Cellar Master.

Created in 1972 to celebrate the bicentenary of the House, La Grande Dame is a tribute to Madame Clicquot also known as ‘La Grande Dame de la Champagne’. Veuve Clicquot's prestige cuvée, it is an exclusive blend of eight of their historical Grand Crus and is a mineral and fresh expression of the Veuve Clicquot style.

La Grande Dame x Yayoi Kusama is a collaboration to celebrate Veuve Clicquot's long lasting commitment to innovation and design.

Weather: With its highly capricious weather, few could have predicted the outcome of the 2012 harvest. But ultimately, the year’s warmth and sunshine prevailed to help define this exceptional vintage. A fine example of the La Grande Dame style, this cuvée perfectly expresses the radiant maturity of the 2012 harvest and the finesse and complexity of Pinot Noir.

Technical Information:
Vineyards: 100% Grand Cru | Pinot Noir: Ambonnay, Aÿ, Bouzy, Verzenay, Verzy | Chardonnay: Avize & Le Mesnil-sur-Oger
Grape Varieties: 90% Pinot Noir, 10% Chardonnay
Ageing: 7 years on the lees
Disgorged: September 2019
Dosage: 6 g/l
Alcohol: 12%
Drink: Now to 2030

Tasting Note: light gold colour with a surprising glint. On the nose, initial notes of white flowers on the nose, such as jasmine, honeysuckle and vine flowers can be felt and then opens with fruitier nuances of apple, pear and peach. On the palate, a few notes of fresh almond and frangipane complete the bouquet. In the mouth, the cuvée reveals more complex aromas: dried apricot, hazelnuts, honey and sugar candy. Silky textures give the wine its personality, elegance and character. The aging has imparted depth and power to the wine.