Veuve Clicquot Vintage Rose 2004
A dense, brilliant, deep-coloured robe, a delicate pink with orange tints. The nose, characterised by our red Bouzy wines, reveals intense aromas of red and black fruits (especially griotte cherries), enhanced with a touch of spices (pepper, vanilla). These are followed by balsamic notes (liquorice, aniseed) that lend the wine a certain freshness.
Both the wine and rosé versions are distinguished by an elegance and aromatic complexity that will continue to intensify over time. In the mouth the fruitiness recalls that of the superb nose and is particularly dense. The wine also has an astonishing long finish.
The various different balances this champagne achieves between structure and suppleness, and freshness and winey quality, make it a satisfying and full-bodied champagne, ideal for serving with impressive dishes characterised by rich and powerful flavours. It could well be matched with a delicately spiced marinade of beef. The structure and freshness of this champagne give it an ageing potential of at least 20 years.
The Vintage Rose is composed of 60% Pinot Noir, 7% Pinot Meunier and 33% Chardonnay, to which has been added 15%of red wine from our Bouzy vineyard (Grand Cru de Pinot Noir).
The choice of grape classification is of vital importance. The blend includes 17 crus only, which are either Grand or Premier Crus, These are located in the Montagne de Reims including Pinot Noir from Verzenay (Grand Cru) and Pinot Meunier from Ludes (Premier Cru), in the Grande Valléede la Marne with Pinot Noir from Aÿ (Grand Cru) and in the Côte des Blancs where Le Mesnil-sur-Oger constitutes one of the best Chardonnay (Grand Cru) vineyards. A dose of 9 g/l of sugar was added.
Background Information:
In 1772, Philippe Clicquot founded a wine-making business under the name Clicquot. In 1798, his son François, who had taken over the family enterprise, married Barbe Nicole Ponsardin. At the time of François' death in 1805, the young 27-year-old widow decided to continue her husband’s legacy. A woman of vision, she became the driving force behind the prestige and success of the brand, which in 1810 was renamed Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin.
Ever in pursuit of excellence and innovation, in 1816 Madame Clicquot invented the riddling table with the aim of obtaining clarified champagnes of unrivalled quality. She became known by her contemporaries as the "Grand Dame of Champagne", in recognition of her audacity and determination. Row by row, Madame Clicquot used her skills to develop an exceptional wine-growing territory, consisting of 515 hectares in the heart of the Champagne region’s finest vineyard estates.
Today, both in France and abroad, the Veuve Clicquot brand continues to embody the values held dear by Madame Clicquot: modernity and audacity blended together with an emphasis on quality and expertise that are second to none.
Veuve Clicquot was the first house to export a rosé champagne to Switzerland, in 1775. Match-less know-how has made it a house speciality and Veuve Clicquot has been making rosé champagnes in the great vintage years since the end of the eighteenth century.
