Today on The Friday Bubble with Nick Baker and Essi Avellan MW; Veuve Clicquot 2002 Magnum.
As with every Veuve Clicquot champagne, Pinot Noir dominates the blend (60%) 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 7% 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. This is the 63rd vintage since 1810 and a year where no prestige cuvee, La Grande Dame, was made allowing an even more wonderful wine choice for the blend. Disgorged in 2022 with an impressive 18 years on lees.
The 2002 vintage shaped up ideally over the spring, with no significant frost and near-perfect flowering. Then followed a summer marked by long, sunny periods interspersed with regular cloudy and rainy spells. The vines were in good health and the dehydration of the grape berries helped them reach new heights of ripeness.
Essi Avellan MW 96/100 essiavellan.com
“Magnum tasted 7/2023: Gorgeous toasty nose with straw, cream, apple and gunpowder. Burgundian tones to it and lots of layers. Concentrated palate with fine acid line, fine velvety texture and long, juicy length. 96 points for a recently released magnum.”
