2008 Veuve Clicquot Vintage Champagne

A blend of 61% Pinot Noir, 5% Pinot Meunier and 34% Chardonnay sourced from Grand and Premier Cru vineyards. In a first for this label 5% of the wines were aged in wooden casks from forests in Central France, from Allier and Vosges. This was to increase the complexity and aromatic richness of the Champagne.

Pours superbly with a lacy white mouse that holds well eventually revealing a pale straw base wine colour with tinges of pale gold around the edges. Very fine bead showing excellent persistence. The bouquet is one of great finesse featuring yeast lees and citrus aromas interlaced with baked bread and a light toastiness followed by notes of brioche and cashew. Light and airy the palate is graced with citrus, toast, yeast lees, subtle pear infusions, bready characters and subtle cashew. There’s an elegant creaminess to the texture and the finish is fresh with stimulating acidity. Excellent length with a long yeast lees, citrus, subtle baked bread and cashew aftertaste. A classy, finely structured Champagne.
Cellar 5-6 years.
Alc 12%

Other Reviews…
Shimmering green-gold. Easily up several notches from the bottle. Perfect balance of freshness, ripe acidity and complex vinosity to come. Near perfect wine, patina of seasoned spice of subtle oak.
Drink: 2020-2025
96 points
Decanter.com

This is the clear bargain of all the champagnes tasted this year, reflecting the great vintage and the revolution of the vinification by chief winemaker Dominique Demarville. Brioche, nutty oak, and peach blossom all whisper in the spring breeze of the bouquet before the stone and citrus fruits of the vibrant palate rise to a crescendo on the finish. 
96 points
James Halliday's Top 100 wines for 2016