Veuve Cliquot Ponsardin’s Prestige Cuvee, La Grande Dame, is a very great wine which pays homage to a very great lady in the Champagne world, Madame Cliquot. The incomparable finesse of this cuvee results from a blend of eight of the house’s traditional Grand Crus. Strength and structure come from the dominance of Pinot Noir (60-65%) from the best plots on the Montagne de Reims (Verzenay, Verzy, Ambonnay) and the Grande Vallee de la Marne (Ay), blended with the freshness and delicacy of Chardonnay (35-40%) from the most prestigious crus on the Cote des Blancs (Avize, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger and Oger).

Rating

Wine Spectator 88 points (Dec 31 2007) Broad and open-textured, this offers lemon, apple and peach flavors. A touch coarse, ending with a chalky sensation. Drink now through 2018. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. –BS