(No artist box included or available.) The iconic Japanese artist, Yayoi Kusama, sends a cheerful message to the whole world by imagining a unique, joyful and colorful creation specifically made for Veuve Clicquot. Yayoi Kusama adorns the La Grande Dame 2012 case and bottle with her iconic symbols. The opulent flower symbolizes vital energy, love and celebration of life. The polka dots, Yayoi Kusama's signature patterns, are reworked like champagne bubbles to embody La Grande Dame 2012.
99 points Bettane & Desseauve Guide (2022).
95-97 points Essi Avellan, MW: "(90% Pinot Noir, 10% Chardonnay). The ’new’ La Grande Dame was first created by chef de cave Dominique Demarville in 2008 as almost a blanc de noirs. But for the 2012 (an excellent harvest, a real contender to the 2008) La Grande Dame they have managed to further fine-tune its precision and purity. Soft yet coolly fruity and harmonious on the nose with lemon confit, sweet apricot, vanilla, refined smoke and buttery pastry notes. Complex but for the time reserved, promising longevity and sitting perfectly between reductive and oxidative. On the palate the balance is impeccable with such invigorating tension and stylish salinity. Much more driven, tight-packed and fine that we are used to expect from this cuvée. Fresh and elegant to the degree that it is tough to imagine it has 90% Pinot Noir. (Oct 2020)"
96 points Simon Field, MW (Decanter): "A generous golden colour betrays the dominance of Pinot Noir in the blend; this theme thereafter maintained by aromatics of fig, wild strawberries and Mirabelle plums; behind that, jasmine, red apples and a distant whiff of woodsmoke. Engaging already, in other words. One’s impressions are confirmed and amplified on the palate, with the aspiration voiced by both chef de caves Dominique and Didier, to allow the ‘cooler’ Pinot Noir sites full rein. This is eloquently evidenced by a subtle and deftly textured structure, the primary fruit notes of nectarine and citrus peel underscored by a richer, still somewhat reticent, core, darker and more savoury of intent and oh, so subtle at the moment. I have every confidence that this characteristic will come into its own over the longer term and mark the 2012 as one of the more successful outings for this outstanding cuvée. Drinking Window: 2020-2036. (Oct 2020)"
96 points/'#3 Top 100 Cellar Selections 2020,' Wine Enthusiast: "With a slight preponderance of Pinot Noir in the blend, this wine is rich and impressive. It is still young, with a crisp edge that makes the fruit shine. Apple and citrus flavors are integrated into a mineral vein. Drink from 2022. Alcohol 12.5%. (Dec 2020)"
95 points Wine Spectator: "Fine and graceful, this dances across the palate with its bright, well-defined freshness and detailed flavors of Mandarin orange, toast point, crème de cassis and minerally oyster shell. Subtle in its intensity, with all the pieces seamlessly knit into an elegant whole. Disgorged September 2019. Drink now through 2030. (12/15/20)"
95 points Anne Krebiehl (Falstaff): "Vanilla and creaminess on the nose evoke fresh Viennoisserie with a slight overtone of smoke. The palate reveals chalky depth and lovely generosity but in a very streamlined, direct and fresh fashion. There is something beautifully driven at its core., something stony, chalky and direct. The finish is dry and salty. (11/12/21)"
95 points Lisa Perrotti-Brown (The Wine Independent): "The 2012 La Grande Dame Brut, a blend of 90% Pinot Noir and 10% Chardonnay with 6 g/L dosage, has a very pale lemon-straw color. It slides out with vibrant lime leaves, grapefruit, and green apple scents, followed by touches of brine and coriander seed, plus a waft of chopped almonds. The palate delivers compelling tension and a fine mousse with impressively pure citrus-flavored layers and a long chalky finish. Approachable yet still quite restrained and youthful, it should easily cellar and gain richness over the next 20 years+. Drink: 2022-2042. (11/3/22)"
94 points James Suckling: "Aromas of lime zest, lemon and brioche follow through to a full body with a round, creamy texture, fine bubbles and a delicious finish. Direct and focused 2012. Lots of elegance and energy in this. Drink or hold. (5/5/21)"
99 points Bettane & Desseauve Guide (2022).
95-97 points Essi Avellan, MW: "(90% Pinot Noir, 10% Chardonnay). The ’new’ La Grande Dame was first created by chef de cave Dominique Demarville in 2008 as almost a blanc de noirs. But for the 2012 (an excellent harvest, a real contender to the 2008) La Grande Dame they have managed to further fine-tune its precision and purity. Soft yet coolly fruity and harmonious on the nose with lemon confit, sweet apricot, vanilla, refined smoke and buttery pastry notes. Complex but for the time reserved, promising longevity and sitting perfectly between reductive and oxidative. On the palate the balance is impeccable with such invigorating tension and stylish salinity. Much more driven, tight-packed and fine that we are used to expect from this cuvée. Fresh and elegant to the degree that it is tough to imagine it has 90% Pinot Noir. (Oct 2020)"
96 points Simon Field, MW (Decanter): "A generous golden colour betrays the dominance of Pinot Noir in the blend; this theme thereafter maintained by aromatics of fig, wild strawberries and Mirabelle plums; behind that, jasmine, red apples and a distant whiff of woodsmoke. Engaging already, in other words. One’s impressions are confirmed and amplified on the palate, with the aspiration voiced by both chef de caves Dominique and Didier, to allow the ‘cooler’ Pinot Noir sites full rein. This is eloquently evidenced by a subtle and deftly textured structure, the primary fruit notes of nectarine and citrus peel underscored by a richer, still somewhat reticent, core, darker and more savoury of intent and oh, so subtle at the moment. I have every confidence that this characteristic will come into its own over the longer term and mark the 2012 as one of the more successful outings for this outstanding cuvée. Drinking Window: 2020-2036. (Oct 2020)"
96 points/'#3 Top 100 Cellar Selections 2020,' Wine Enthusiast: "With a slight preponderance of Pinot Noir in the blend, this wine is rich and impressive. It is still young, with a crisp edge that makes the fruit shine. Apple and citrus flavors are integrated into a mineral vein. Drink from 2022. Alcohol 12.5%. (Dec 2020)"
95 points Wine Spectator: "Fine and graceful, this dances across the palate with its bright, well-defined freshness and detailed flavors of Mandarin orange, toast point, crème de cassis and minerally oyster shell. Subtle in its intensity, with all the pieces seamlessly knit into an elegant whole. Disgorged September 2019. Drink now through 2030. (12/15/20)"
95 points Anne Krebiehl (Falstaff): "Vanilla and creaminess on the nose evoke fresh Viennoisserie with a slight overtone of smoke. The palate reveals chalky depth and lovely generosity but in a very streamlined, direct and fresh fashion. There is something beautifully driven at its core., something stony, chalky and direct. The finish is dry and salty. (11/12/21)"
95 points Lisa Perrotti-Brown (The Wine Independent): "The 2012 La Grande Dame Brut, a blend of 90% Pinot Noir and 10% Chardonnay with 6 g/L dosage, has a very pale lemon-straw color. It slides out with vibrant lime leaves, grapefruit, and green apple scents, followed by touches of brine and coriander seed, plus a waft of chopped almonds. The palate delivers compelling tension and a fine mousse with impressively pure citrus-flavored layers and a long chalky finish. Approachable yet still quite restrained and youthful, it should easily cellar and gain richness over the next 20 years+. Drink: 2022-2042. (11/3/22)"
94 points James Suckling: "Aromas of lime zest, lemon and brioche follow through to a full body with a round, creamy texture, fine bubbles and a delicious finish. Direct and focused 2012. Lots of elegance and energy in this. Drink or hold. (5/5/21)"
| Product SKU | 341008 |
| Producer | Veuve Clicquot |
| Country | France |
| Region | Champagne |
| SubRegion | Montagne de Reims |
| Varietal | Champagne / Sparkling Blend |
| Designation | Brut |
| Vintage | 2012 |
| Size | 750ml |
| Color | White |
| ABV | 12.5% |
| Ships To |
