Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame 2018 Limited Edition by Simon Porte Jacquemus is the 25th vintage of this iconic cuvée — a blend of 90% Pinot Noir and 10% Chardonnay delivering ideal balance, perfect harmony and intensity, with citrus, white fruit, salinity and spring floral notes of extraordinary finesse and precision. Presented in a gift box sheathed in “toile du Marais” with the bottle wrapped in white linen — where artisanal excellence meets everyday poetry.
Tasting Notes
Appearance
Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame 2018 presents a bright, luminous gold with a pristine, energetic mousse — the hallmark of a 90% Pinot Noir Champagne from an exceptional harvest when the sun was truly smiling. Radiant and immediately commanding in the glass.
Aroma
Deep and precise on the nose — intense aromas of citrus lead with lemon, lime and yuzu, blended with white fruit and enhanced by spring and floral notes of delicate freshness. Orchard fruit, tropical creamy notes and a toasty, near-savoury texture speak to the warmth and generosity of the 2018 vintage, while red fruit and a subtle salinity add complexity and tension. Aromatic vigour of the highest order.
Palate
To taste La Grande Dame 2018 is to experience ideal balance — intense sensations of apple and pear lead to tangerine and lime flesh and peel, nectarine, pink ginger, a touch of strawberry and subtleties of toffee-nut bread and spice. Pinprick-sized bubbles and lightly mouthwatering acidity frame flavours of patisserie pear, cherry fruit, pickled ginger, almond biscotti and spun honey with a lilting cadence punctuated by a saline streak that only elongates the resounding, minerally finish. Silky, generous and simply gorgeous.
Pairs With
A natural match for fine seafood — oysters, lobster, langoustine, seared scallops or a classic plateau de fruits de mer — equally outstanding alongside Dover sole, white truffle risotto, aged Comté or delicate patisserie. The salinity, citrus precision and Pinot Noir depth make this one of the most versatile and rewarding Champagnes for the finest occasions. Drink now through 2040.
Critical Acclaim:
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“Deep and precise, La Grande Dame 2018 vintage expresses a new facet de l’Art du Pinot Noir.” — Didier Mariotti, Cellar Master
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97/100 — The Tasting Panel, 2025
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95/100 — Wine Spectator, 2025 — “Expands beautifully on the palate, and the long, minerally finish echoes smoke and oyster shell notes.”
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95/100 — The World of Fine Wine, 2025 — “Approachable and yet powerful, silky and generous mid-palate.”
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97/100 — Decanter, 2025 — “A luminous and energetic iteration of La Grande Dame.”
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17/20 — Jancis Robinson, 2025 — “Remarkably fine mousse. Explosive — fireworks texture.”
