"Born of a tradition of excellence and the weight of time, the prestigious Grande Dame is the ultimate expression of the Veuve Clicquot style. Tailor-made in 1972 to celebrate the House's bicentennial, this masterpiece was christened La Grande Dame in tribute to Madame Clicquot. La Grande Dame cuvee is the very symbol of the driving force that guided Madame Clicquot throughout her life: an obsessive search for quality. Known among connoisseurs as one of the finest champagnes in the world, it's the pride and joy of Maison Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin. Ethereal, free and original, the Grande Dame teases aficionados with its rarity, making an appearance only when nature offers a concordance of perfect conditions. This work of art has given command performances in the form of exceptional Brut vintages in 1995, 1996 and 1998, and rose vintages in 1995 and 1998."~(Winery Notes)

"The 1998 La Grande Dame is perhaps the antithesis of great winemaking. Light citrus, and tree fruit give way to the true beauty of this botting--the finest freshly baked French baguette characteristic that I've ever expereinced in a sparkling wine. This fresh bready quality--imparted into the wine through extended contact with the wine's secondary fermentation yeasts--is the heart and soul of this tete de cuvee Veuve Clicquot bottling. At 14 years old, this wine is moving toward its maturity but thanks to its acidity and structure, it should continue to age well for perhaps another decade, maybe even more."~(Codey Foster)