According to Ed McCarthy on winereviewonline.com (Aug 22): "Veuve Clicquot has hit a home run with its 96 La Grande Dame, its best since the magnificent 88 Dame. Always known for its full-bodied, Pinot Noir-dominated Champagnes, Veuve continues this tradition with the 96 Dame. Its prestige cuvee, the Dame, is 65% Pinot Noir, 7% Pinot Meunier, and 28% Chardonnay, and is rich, broad-shouldered, toasty, and nutty, with excellent concentration of fruit and great length. It could use another six to eight years of aging, and will become one of the great La Grande Dames." Rating: 96.
2008-12-02 11:25:08
According to Walt Donovan on wineaccess.com (Dec 2006):
"If I could custom-design a taste......This would be it. One of the best. Lighter, more elegant than Bolly Grande Annee. I would put certain year Jacquesson Degorgement Tardif above it but without 15 years on the lees, the Grande Dame is extraordinary."
2008-12-02 11:17:14
According to Stephen Tanzer:
"Deep, highly complex aromas of citrus skin, nutmeg, porcini mushroom, toasted almond and clove. Rich, dry and impressively deep; superconcentrated and oily. A chewy, spicy Champagne that seemed to grow fresher as it opened in the glass. Really explosive on the aftertaste, finishing with a clinging quality and powerful spicy, nutty flavors. A major mouthful of Champagne, at its best at the dinner table. Displays the combination of high ripeness and high acidity of this vintage at its best. This thick, rich, very powerful wine is still a bit youthfully disorganized and will be even better for a few years of additional aging. One of the standouts of my recent tastings."
Rating: 95.
Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, Nov/Dec 2004.
2008-12-02 11:07:56
According to Douala on wine.com:
"Probably one of the best champagnes I have ever tasted. Simply amazing! I recall the sensation of every sip with the utmost pleasure."