Veuve Clicquot Rare Vintage 1988
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Sensory notes
The effervescence is both delicate and long lasting. The bouquet is fine and complex, strong in the aromas of dried fruits and flowers. There is an elegant harmony in the nose around toast and brioche notes. In the mouth, the wine is firm and well structured, with masses of substance and refinement. Such wine accompanies perfectly lobsters, scallops and sea fish. After a few more years of ageing, one would not hesitate to offer it with poultry or with meat dishes such as veal.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
One of Veuve Clicquot's library releases, this wine is now wonderfully mature with layer upon layer of toast, spice, roasted almonds and roundness. As it has developed, it has also grown so rich that it is much closer to Burgundy than Champagne. The acidity of Champagne and that lift in the mouth show its true origins.
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Wine & Spirits
Twenty years in bottle have been gentle to this wine, maturing the color to transparent gold and the flavors to dark tones of honey, baked apples and cardamom spice. Lively acidity keeps it firm and completely dry, ending on scents of fresh almonds, limestone and white tea. It's complex and heady, the fine bubbles giving a sparkling clean impression and a sense that there's plenty of time ahead.
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Wine Spectator
This elegant, complex Champagne has a mature bouquet of smoke, dried red fruits, lemon and spice flavors set in relief by the bracing structure. Well-integrated and intense, with a lingering finish of roasted walnut, citrus and wood smoke. Drink now through 2018.
Learn about Veuve Clicquot, the history of the brand, its innovative winemaking techniques, and its signature Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Brut Champagne.
History of Veuve Clicquot
Veuve Clicquot, now one of the largest Champagne Houses, was founded in 1772 by Philippe Clicquot under the label "Clicquot". After establishing the brand throughout Europe, Russia and the United States, Philippe was joined by his son, François Clicquot, at the head of the House in 1798. Seven years later, following his untimely death, François’ young widow, Barbe Ponsardin, took over the family business at just 27 years old. The House would subsequently be renamed in her honor: ‘Veuve Clicquot’ means ‘The Widow Clicquot.’
Innovating Champagne Production
Over the course of her lifetime, Madame Clicquot (Barbe Ponsardin), developed three of the most important innovations in Champagne that are still practiced today. First, in 1810 Veuve Clicquot produced the first vintage wine in Champagne, which otherwise produced non-vintage blends. Second, in 1816 Madame Clicquot invented the riddling table to clarify Veuve Clicquot champagne, and by doing so, she improved both the quality and finesse of the wines. Riddling is now fundamental to ‘La Methode Traditionelle’ (the traditional Champagne production method) and is emulated around the world. Finally, in 1818 Madame Clicquot created the first rose champagne made through ‘assemblage’, a method where white wines are blended with red wines.
Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Brut
The distinctive, 90+ rated, Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Brut has been in production since 1877. It is distinguished by the dominance of Pinot Noir in its blend, which gives strength, complexity and elegance to the champagne.
Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame
The name La Grande Dame has been inspired by Madame Clicquot's nickname: La Grande Dame de la Champagne. 1972, the year Veuve Clicquot launched its first prestige cuvée to celebrate the bicentenary of the House. La Grande Dame respects Madame Clicquot's vision of Pinot Noir, which is about 90% since 2008, using mostly historical Grands Crus from their terroir.
Veuve Clicquot Pronunciation:
vœv kliko / vuhv klee-koh
100% of Veuve Clicquot vineyards use sustainable viticulture.