Veuve Clicquot Brut Yellow Label (3L, 12%)

A non-vintage Champagne from Veuve Clicquot, founded in 1772 in Reims, in the heart of the Champagne appellation. Madame Barbe-Nicole Clicquot Ponsardin invented the riddling technique in the early 19th century. The Yellow Label blend is 50-55% Pinot Noir, 28-33% Chardonnay and 15-20% Pinot Meunier, with up to 45% reserve wines from roughly 400 reserve wines. It is bottled at 12% ABV in a 3000ml bottle. The nose opens with bright citrus zest and green apple, then toasted almond and brioche, with subtle struck-match minerality. The palate is lively and focused, with ripe stone fruit, lemon, light honey, toffee apple, pastry cream, racy acidity and fine persistent mousse, plus white cherry, pickled ginger and saline-edged minerality. The finish is medium-long and refined, with smoky chalky coolness, kumquat, anise and a savory nutty quality.