Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Brut Champagne NV 375ml

This has aromas of grapefruit, pomegranates, and biscuits. It’s honeyed and sleek with a medium body and supple bubbles. Soft and creamy finish. Majority pinot noir, with chardonnay and meunier. Around 40% reserve wines. 10g/l dosage. Drink now.

This harmonious Champagne is appealing for its refreshing, aperitif style, yet theres greater focus than is typical for an aperitif to the notes of patisserie apple and pear, lemon parfait, chopped almond and oyster shell. Its vibrant acidity and lacy texture carry the profile on the mineral-driven finish. Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier. Drink now.

One of the most familiar of Champagnes, the Yellow Label is finely made — a fruity while structured wine. It has both fresh and fragrant fruit as well as richness, a soft, creamy texture and bright acidity. There is no sense in bottle aging here — drink this wine because of its crispness.

A firm, fresh version, with the lively bead carrying flavors of white cherry, grilled nut, orange curd and smoke. Creamy finish. Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay. Drink now.

The NV Brut offers up attractive notes of smoke, tar, rich ripe pears and flowers in a medium to full-bodied style. There is a good measure of persistence, although the wine could use a little more polish on the finish. This is Lot 14009913, disgorged between December, 2007 and January, 2008. Anticipated maturity: 2008–2010.

There isn’t a more consistently outstanding producer of non-vintage Champagne anywhere. Year after year, VCP turns out a perfectly balanced, Pinot Noir-dominated sparkling wine that’s full-flavored and rich, with toasty bread dough notes, crisp, lemony acidity and a long, lingering finish.