2018 Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin La Grande Dame Rose, Champagne

A lovely perfume of subtle cooked apples, heather, jasmine and flint follows through to a medium body with a dense palate of fruit. Hints of pears and lychees with some honey and a touch of marzipan. A blend of 90% pinot noir and 10% chardonnay. Drink or hold.

94 points James Suckling

Elegance with a little attitude seems entirely appropriate for a Champagne named in honour of Madame Clicquot, the remarkable woman who transformed her husband's wine business into one of the world's most celebrated Champagne houses. La Grande Dame is Veuve Clicquot's prestige cuvée, first created in 1972 to commemorate the house's bicentenary. Today, cellar master Didier Mariotti continues that tradition, placing Pinot Noir at the heart of these exceptional vintage Champagnes.

The 2018 La Grande Dame Rosé celebrates the power and finesse of Pinot Noir, which accounts for around 90% of the blend, complemented by Chardonnay. A small addition of red wine from the historic Clos Colin vineyard in Bouzy contributes its beautiful colour, aromatic depth and distinctive character. The warm 2018 growing season produced wonderfully ripe fruit, giving this vintage a lovely combination of generosity, freshness and refinement.

A luminous copper pink with delicate salmon reflections and a fine, persistent bead. Wild strawberry, raspberry and blood orange mingle with rose petals, redcurrant, toasted brioche and a suggestion of warm spice. The palate is wonderfully expressive, with succulent red fruit, vibrant citrus acidity and an exceptionally fine mousse. Subtle notes of almond, chalk and delicate pastry add complexity, while the finish is long, graceful and beautifully savoury.

An extraordinary Champagne for the table. Think tuna tataki with sesame and ponzu, roasted duck breast with blood orange, or beetroot carpaccio with whipped ricotta and toasted pistachios. For something particularly indulgent, try delicate crab ravioli with saffron butter and fresh chives.

Cellaring: Drink from 2026 to 2040+. Already expressive, although further cellaring should reveal greater complexity, savoury depth and beautiful tertiary aromas.