Veuve Clicquot Brut Champagne Reserve Cuvée (Yellow Label) NV

94 points Anne Krebiehl, MW (Decanter): "Lemony richness on the nose, a struck match character that falls in with lemon vanilla note. Toffee apple allure on the palate with chalky coolness & savoury nutty finish. (Dec 2020)"

93 points Bettanne & Desseauve Guide: "This emblematic cuvée is back in the foreground, we feel that the work on the great pinots of the house and the reserve wines is bearing fruit. Even more energy and intensity than usual, it's superb. (2024)"

92 points Tyson Stelzer (The Champagne Guide): "(2013 base; reserves from 2012, 11, 10, 08, 07, 06 and 02; 28% chardonnay, 52% pinot noir, 20% meunier; 50-60 crus; aged 2.5 years on lees; 9-10g/L dosage). It takes Demarville and his team four months of daily tastings to make Yellow Label, tasting some 1100 different base wines and reserves, and selecting 400–500 to make up the final blend. Their expertise is reflected in a gentle trajectory of refinement over recent years, and it’s as confident as ever today. This is a release that flies the flag of the Veuve Clicquot style in presenting the bright freshness of pinot noir amidst the depth of deep reserves. In step with Demarville’s aspiration, the 2014 base is as lively as I’ve seen it, leading out with tangy strawberry hull and morello cherries, energised by a focused line of vibrant lemon acidity, closing with the aged complexity of gingernut biscuits, bread and roast almonds. Its full dosage is well subsumed by its bright acid line, holding medium length on the finish. Not only a triumph for its sheer magnitude of production, this is a compellingly crafted cuvée and a fine drink. The 2013 base is even more confident in its pretty, bright red cherries and red plums, well supported by brioche complexity. (2020-2021)"

92 points James Suckling: "Toasty and generous with lemon freshness, this also has quite some dried-pear and peach aromas from mature elements of the blend, plus a touch of spice at the long, structured finish. The cuvée is based on 2015 and is 50% pinot noir, 30% chardonnay and 20% pinot meunier. Reserve wines make up more than one third of the blend. Drink now. (1/5/22)"