Veuve Clicquot Brut Rosé Champagne La Grande Dame 2012

98 points Essi Avellan, MW: "(90% Pinot Noir, 10% Chardonnay). Peachy colour of depth. Elegantly evolving attractive berry nose with lots of underlying power. Lovely creamy-softness to the juicy-lingering palate. Delicious and remaining very youthful. This will truly be a long lived vintage. Suitably dosed at 6g/l. (Jul 2023)"

95 points Wine Spectator: "A firm, chalky version, with structure and texture similar to stiff lace—defined but detailed. Features flavors of blood orange, strawberry preserves, almond biscotti and minerally oyster shell and smoke accents that are finely woven, rewarding the drinker with greater expression as this opens in the glass and on the palate. Lightly spiced, lingering finish. Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay. Disgorged October 2019. Drink now through 2035. (12/15/22)"

95 points Tom Hewson (Decanter): "The new 2012 vintage of Veuve Clicquot's top rosé sweeps in full of dynamics and detail, the 13% proportion of red wine bringing a succulent red apple, rose and poached strawberry fragrance to 2012's finessed, narrowing build. There's an intriguing smoky/reductive streak at present too, setting off the fruit-forwardness and creamy undercurrent with a touch of drama and energy. This has the volume and immediacy to enjoy now, but even more impressive is the precision and build of a truly cellar-worthy rosé. 92% Pinot Noir from Äy, Verzenay, Verzy, Ambonnay and Bouzy (13% as red wine from Bouzy), 8% Chardonnay from Avize and Le Mesnil-sur-Oger. Dosage 8 g/L. Drinking Window: 2023-2040. (3/2/23)"

95 points/'Cellar Selection,' Wine Enthusiast: "Maturity gives the wine toastiness while retaining the background of fine fruits and texture. It is an impressive Champagne, as always: rich while also balanced, with a touch of minerality. Drink the wine now. Alcohol 12.5%. (Dec 2022)"

94 points William Kelley (Wine Advocate): "The 2012 Brut Rosé La Grande Dame is the finest wine I've tasted from Veuve Clicquot in several decades. Offering up aromas of red berries, bee pollen, orange zest and freshly baked bread, it's medium to full-bodied, pillowy and precise, with a deep core of fruit and a vibrant, tightly coiled profile, concluding with a penetrating, sapid finish. This isn't the muscular, powerful Clicquot style of yesteryear, but it's a compelling effort in a fine-boned, more polished register. Drink: 2023-2038. (Aug 2022)"

94 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The 2012 La Grande Dame Rosé is based on the same blend as the 2012 Blanc but with 13-15% still red wine from Bouzy. A Champagne of polish and sophistication, the 2012 exudes class. Crushed red berry fruit, blood orange, mint, spice and rose petals open first in the bouquet before the textural richness of Pinot takes over as the wine fleshes out on the mid-palate and finish. This is beautifully done. Disgorged: February, 2021. Drink: 2023-2032. (Nov 2023)"

In 2022, Veuve Clicquot reveals this 9th edition of La Grande Dame Rosé, an exceptional and rare wine. In 1818, Madame Clicquot crafted the first known "rosé d'assemblage" champagne by blending some of her Bouzy red wines with her white wines. La Grande Dame Rosé respects her vision with 90% of Pinot Noir coming from the historic Grands Crus of our terroir as well as a red wine added to the blend from a single parcel: the Parcelle 'Clos Colin' located in Bouzy, a Grand Cru terroir.