Veuve Clicquot Vintage 2012

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.

It all started with the exceptional nature of the 1810 harvest, which led Madame Clicquot to create a blend composed solely of the wines from the year. Once again, her extraordinary audacity was at work: at barely 30 years old, she developed the first-known vintage in Champagne. But there is more to this story. At the time, the wines were shipped without labels. Madame Clicquot, with her visionary spirit, tied a yellow ribbon around the neck of the vintage bottles to distinguish them from non-vintage wine. The “yellow ribbon” that she mentioned in her correspondence was born, and today still adorns the bottles of Veuve Clicquot Vintages, such as Veuve Clicquot Vintage 2012, as a tribute to Madame Clicquot. As with every Veuve Clicquot champagne, Pinot Noir dominates the blend (51%) exclusively from Grands and Premier Crus from the Montagne de Reims and the Vallée de la Marne (Verzy, Verzenay, Ludes, Ambonnay, Bouzy, Tauxières, Avenay and Aÿ). Then 15% of Meunier from the Montagne de Reims (Ludes) and the Vallée de la Marne (Dizy) brings roundness to this cuvée. The uniqueness of the Veuve Clicquot Vintage collection remains in the addition of wines aged in large oak casks, bringing strength and aromatic intensity. The dominance of Pinot Noir and the wooden touch deliver structure and character, trademark of the Veuve Clicquot’s style.

Weather: The 2012 weather has been hallmarked by many as very challenging but has created some stunning Champagne. Relatively low yields due to various weather conditions throughout the year. The winter months brought some frosts and hail which damaged the early stages of bud burst. August and September were very warm and this helped rescue and give the grapes a stunning maturity.

Technical Information:
Grape Varieties: 51% Pinot Noir, 34% Chardonnay, 15% Meunier
Ageing: 8 years on the lees
Dosage: 8 g/l
Drink: Now to 2035

Tasting Note: Displaying bright yellow colour with refinded golden hints. The nose is fresh, delicate and saline. Juicy, candied apricots set the tone with grilled toasted notes, evolving into complex aromas of figs, dried fruits, honey, truffle and mocha. A fresh and frank palate with more fruit, candied citrus and roasted pear notes. A great liveliness throughout right through to the lasting finish.