Thanks Johnny for sharing this interesting Rose and nice photos!

Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin La Grande Dame Rose 1995 Brut Champagne (750ml)

Rose d'assemblage

Grape proportions: 62% Pinot Noir, 38% Chardonnay

Tasted in July, 2010

Served upon uncorking, copper-orange robe, with a very fine bead.

A big nose, right from the start, of decadent Pinot Noir aromas and concentrated sweetness of  fig and date in oily fatness. Such broad, powerful aromas are really reminiscent of great Burgundian Red! And it naturally arouses my keen interest as to what the taste could amount to…By sharp contrast, I would have to say, the palate is so delicate that it lacks impact, body and strength as the nose would have me believe – I must say I’m a bit disappointed here…I know I really cannot complain as the taste is truly elegant, with purity of red berries, mineral finesse and teasing mousse, but it’s simply not in the same class as the big, heady nose. Maybe it just needs more time in the glass to wake up the taste structures... 

25 minutes after uncorking: now the nose takes on slight creaminess in mineral depth. The palate, much to my delight, gains more flesh and weight, with chewable raspberry as a leading tone, finishing on mineral elegance.

45 minutes: it tastes with growing vinosity -- excellent!

1 hour and 8 minutes: the nose is going wild, with hints of forest floor and mushroom. The palate is lush and full, with natural sweetness of ripe red berries and lifted by a finale of classic mineral astringency.

1 hour and 12 minutes: now a subtle perfume of woody spiciness enchants the nose.

This is an excellent La Grande Dame Rose, with the nose worthy of a chapter all its own.

But the taste is not in the same class as the assertive and powerful greatness of La Grande Dame Rose 1990.