Vintage 2015

In 1810, Barbe-Nicole Clicquot Ponsardin produced the first recorded single-vintage Champagne — a declaration that exceptional years deserved to stand alone. The 2015 La Grande Dame is the direct heir to that conviction, released only in years where Grand Cru Pinot Noir achieves rare completeness. The blend is 90% Pinot Noir from Verzy, Bouzy, Verzenay, Aÿ, and Ambonnay, plus 10% Chardonnay from Avize and Le Mesnil-sur-Oger — all Grand Cru, all sourced from shallow chalk (craie) hillside soils that drain aggressively and force roots deep, concentrating phenolic structure without sacrificing tension. The 2015 growing season was warm and solar, delivering generous fruit density; the chalk subsoil and cool 24 km of UNESCO-listed crayères beneath Reims provided the counterweight. Vinified entirely in stainless steel, with full malolactic fermentation and a minimum 7 years on lees before disgorgement — dosage held at 6 g/L, low enough to leave the chalk minerality unmasked. What separates La Grande Dame structurally from virtually every other prestige cuvée is its Pinot Noir majority: at 90%, it sits closer architecturally to a blanc de noirs than to Dom Pérignon or Cristal. Scores: 98 pts Bettane & Desseauve; 95 pts consensus across Wine Spectator, Wine Enthusiast, Vinous, and Jeb Dunnuck. Drinking well now through 2035+.