Burgundy and Champagne
Timed Online Auction, 28 August - 9 September 2024
Cap Classique & Champagne
About the SessionThe Champagne list offers an extensive array of renowned names, including Bollinger, Dom Perignon, Louis Roederer and Salon and Veuve Cliquot. The selection of Cap Classique features Graham Beck, Le Lude, Domaines des Deux and Silverthorn – perfect for celebratory occasions.
About this Item
Veuve Clicquot is one of Champagne's best known producers, and has been a consistent seller since it was founded in 1772. Pinot Noir has dominated over Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier in this blend from its inception. The house famously invented the process of riddling, which removed the dead yeast cells and gave the finished wines a clear appearance. The house was founded by Philippe Clicquot in 1772 as a sideline to his successful textile business, but became the second largest producer of Champagne in the region under his daughter-in-law, Barbe-Nicole Ponsardin. In 1798 Philippe Clicquot married his only son, Francois, to the daughter of a prominent local business man named Ponsardin as a way to consolidate the power of both his and Ponsardin's successful businesses. Francois and his wife, Barbe-Nicole, saw an opportunity to take over the wine business and hopefully foster its growth. The attempt failed miserably due to the outbreak of the Napoleonic Wars, and Francois Clicquot died in 1805.
Barbe-Nicole continued on her own and, with the help of investments from her father-in-law and some deft smuggling of wines to Tsar Alexander I of Russia, Veuve Clicquot exploded onto the market. The development of the riddling process meant production increased significantly, which was able to satiate demand. Today, Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin is owned by luxury giant Louis Vuitton Möet Hennessy (LVMH).
The 2006 Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame, a blend of 53% Pinot Noir and 47% Chardonnay, is a prestigious Champagne from one of the most renowned houses in France. Named in honor of the "Grande Dame of Champagne," Madame Clicquot, this cuvée represents the pinnacle of Veuve Clicquot’s production, showcasing elegance, complexity, and finesse.
Provenance
Private Client
Critics Ratings
'A waft of spring blossom draws you into this elegant Champagne, whose subtle notes of poached quince, toasted brioche and mandarin orange gracefully ride the satiny mousse, supported by a vibrant backbone of acidity. Disgorged February 2016. Drink now through 2029.' - Alison Napjus, Wine Spectator, 94/100 (Nov 2017)
'The prestigious 2006 La Grande Dame is made from 47% Chardonnay and 53% Pinot Noir, and assembles the fruit of eight grand cru villages. Very intense and complex on the nose, this is a full-bodied, round, rich and mouth-filling, but also refined prestige cuvée; it reveals a fascinating purity, precision and freshness. The finish is long and complex, and shows a spicy minerality. There are coffee beans, bread and toast aromas in the aftertaste. This comes highly recommended.' - Stephan Reinhardt, Wine Advocate, 94/100 (Jun 2016)
'Pale straw. A little smoky and reductive on the nose but when a top-up is poured into the glass it brings out a lovely creamy delicacy, opening to minerally citrus. Very slightly toasty on the palate, with terrific fruit depth and concentration, cool deep citrus flavours, rich and mealy like a good burgundy but then with the Pinot structure and fruit increasing the weight. Full bodied, powerful, and terrific length thanks especially to the freshness, gently honeyed on the finish and elegant overall, irrespective of the power. This vintage includes the lowest proportion of Pinot Noir ever because they wanted to keep the elegance.' - Julia Harding MW, JancisRobinson.com, 17.5/20 (Oct 2015)
'Veuve Clicquot's prestige cuvée is named after the widow Clicquot, the great lady who built up the house in the early 19th century. This latest incarnation is just showing signs of ripe toasty maturity. It is rich and soft with a high dosage, in the house style, with a full panoply of lime, red apple and apricot. Drink now and until 2022' - Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast, 94/100 (Dec 2015)
Other lots that might interest you
