Veuve Clicquot Vintage 2012

Veuve Clicquot Vintage 2012 comes from one of the most classic and famous champagne houses in the world. The champagne is an expression of a wonderful harvest despite an extremely challenging climate that year.

In 1810, Madame Clicquot invented the first Vintage champagne, and 2012 is Veuve Clicquot's 66th vintage. With grapes exclusively from Grands and Premiers Crus, Pinot Noir dominates the blend (51%) and provides the structure typical of Veuve Clicquot, followed by Chardonnay (34%), adding finesse and elegance essential in a perfectly balanced wine, and then Meunier (15%) rounding out the blend.

The uniqueness of Vintage 2012 lies in the addition of 11% wine aged in large wooden casks (foudres), which gives strength and aromatic intensity. The cask-aged wines act as spices in the mix, adding light woody, vanilla, and toasted aromas. As this is a Vintage champagne and from a great year, this is highly suggested to keep in your cellar, but it is also amazing to drink now.

The champagne has a nice, yellow color with golden reflections. In the mouth, the champagne is first fresh. After that, aromas of fruit with notes of mirabelle tart, candied citrus and roasted pear are first perceived. Refreshing notes of green hazelnuts and almonds then emerge.

We recommend that the wine be enjoyed chilled at 10-12ºC with veal, crayfish and smoked scallops.

Comments from a tasting:

"An immediate perfume of soft golden apples dipped in yoghurt, with creamy, leesy, toasty characters bubbling away underneath. It’s very creamy in the mouth and has a little hint of cream cheese. Wait a beat and apple pie and cinnamon come through. The finish is only medium, but has a pleasant zippy lemon tart freshness. The 66th vintage from Veuve Clicquot, 2012 was particularly favourable weather-wise."

90/100

Natalie Earl, decanter.com, 31 Oct 2021

Product information

Size: 0,75 L 
Grapes: Chardonnay 34%, Pinot Noir 51%, Pinot Meunier 15%
Dosage: Brut
Notes: fruit with notes of mirabelle tart, candied citrus, and roasted pear
ABV: 12% Vol.
Made in: France, Champagne
Produced by: Veuve Clicquot, France
Including: champagne + box
Condition: Brand new, (may have minor imperfections from shipping)
Other information: contains sulfites