Veuve Clicquot Extra Brut Extra Old NV

Winery Background and History

Founded in 1772 by Philippe Clicquot-Muiron and later elevated by Madame Clicquot—the pioneering woman behind vintage bottling and riddling—Veuve Clicquot is among Champagne’s most revered houses. In 2017 they launched Extra Brut Extra Old, an ultra-dry, reserve-wine-driven cuvée that showcases decades of aging and their exceptional library of reserve wines  .

Producer and Wine Maker

This NV expression is crafted under Cellar Master Dominique Demarville and Jean-Marc Gallot, supported by a tasting panel drawing from vintages across nearly four decades. Their mission: create a bone-dry Champagne with depth, complexity, and freshness achieved via blending reserve wines from 1988 onward  .

Vineyards and Micro Climate

The blend combines Grand Cru and Premier Cru fruit. The cuvée is built entirely from reserve wines from top vintages such as 1988, 1996, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2013, and 2014. Champagne’s chalk soils, cool maritime climate, and diurnal temperature swings provide acidity and minerality  .

Vinification & Aging Methods

Vinified with a focus on lees influence and texture, the blend is double-aged—first for at least two years in stainless vats, followed by a minimum of three years on lees in bottle before disgorgement at Extra Brut dosage (~3 g/L) ().

Tasting notes

A golden hue with fine bead. Aromas include tropical fruits (pineapple, papaya), apple, lemon, bread dough, citrus peel, pastry, brioche, and toasted almonds. The palate is crisp and layered with citrus, brioche, and nutty flavors, underpinned by bright acidity and saline minerality  .

Food & Wine Pairing

This structured and savory reserve blend excellently accompanies shellfish, crustaceans, oysters, crab, lobster, iodized and fresh seaweed dishes, raw vegetables, salads, and fresh herbs. It also complements early fruit plates and vegetables  .

Service Methods and Temperatures

Serve chilled at 10–12 °C in a tulip-shaped or white-wine glass to capture its aromatic precision and fine mousse. No decanting is necessary; a gentle swirl will further release its complex aromas ().

Storage and Aging Potential

With proper cellaring (9–12 °C, stable humidity, darkness), this NV release can age gracefully for 15+ years, showcasing evolving tertiary notes, texture, and length  .

Grape Varietals & percentage used

• 50 % Pinot Noir

• 30 % Chardonnay

• 20 % Pinot Meunier

  Blend includes only reserve wines from multiple vintages  .

ABV (Alcohol by Volume)

~12% ABV

Scores

• James Suckling: 93

• Wine Enthusiast: 92

• Wine & Spirits: 92

• Wine Spectator: 91

• Wine Advocate (Robert Parker): 91