Description & elaboration
The Extra Brut Extra Old 5 cuvée from Veuve Clicquot is a champagne born from the blending of seven distinct years, all drawn from the house's perpetual reserve. It is a champagne with notes of fresh citrus — frangipane — linden blossom, with beautiful aromatic clarity. On the palate, the profile is taut and precise, crafted for the gastronomic table. It is a confidential cuvée that celebrates the art of ageing reserve wines.
The Terroir
The grapes come from villages classified as Grand Cru and Premier Cru in the Montagne de Reims and the Côte des Blancs — notably Aÿ, Verzy, Verzenay, Bouzy and Cramant. Pinot Noir accounts for 50% of the blend. This grape variety is rooted in the Campanian chalk soils, whose structure is reminiscent of Blanc de Pinots Noirs. Chardonnay reaches 30% of the composition, providing the acidity needed for extended ageing. Meunier from the Vallée de la Marne completes the blend at 20%.
The vinification
The elaboration is based on a unique double ageing process. The still wines spend a minimum of three years in temperature-controlled tanks. Malolactic fermentation is carried out across all batches.
A non-vintage champagne
This fifth edition draws on seven harvests from the perpetual reserve: 1996, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015. The 1996 base imparts a saline uprightness inherited from a cool season. The 2008 vintage, nervy and structured, provides the wine's backbone. The 2010 and 2012 harvests deliver aromas of fleshy stone fruits.
The contribution of 2013 ensures a particularly mouth-watering finish. The year 2014 brings a silky texture to the mid-palate. The 2015 harvest, driven by high ripeness, counterbalances the acidity of the older juices.
Tasting notes
Appearance
The appearance of the Extra Brut Extra Old 5 cuvée from Veuve Clicquot glows in the flute. The wine displays a golden colour with silver highlights. A fine, persistent effervescence releases continuous streams of tiny bubbles.
Nose
On the nose, an aromatic profile centred on yellow citrus asserts itself immediately. Crunchy lime and grapefruit meet wafts of linden blossom. Aeration releases indulgent notes of brioche and frangipane.
Palate
The attack is crisp and iodine-tinged. Flavours of yuzu guide the mid-palate. The taut, precise texture evolves towards toasted notes, drawn out on the finish by a hint of ginger.
Food pairing suggestions
- Sushi and tuna tataki
- Yuzu ceviche
- Sea bream sushi
- Pan-fried veal sweetbreads
- Vol-au-vent with morel mushrooms
- Oven-roasted turbot
- Citrus tart
- Comté aged 24 months
- Hazelnut macarons
The Plus de Bulles expert's opinion
Why I love it?
What moves me about this cuvée is its vibrant tension and aromatic complexity. I loved its notes of frangipane and toasted hazelnut, carried by an elegant salinity and a spiced finish of white pepper.
My recommendation
Serve at 8–10 °C in a wine glass alongside ceviche or sushi. Its structure promises superb cellaring potential through to 2041.
Advice
How to store this champagne?
Plus de Bulles ships this bottle (75cl) in reinforced packaging specially designed for transporting champagne. Upon receipt, store the bottle horizontally, away from light. Ideally in a cellar; otherwise, in a cool, not too dry place at a stable temperature.
Ageing potential
The acidic structure of the Extra Brut Extra Old 5 from Veuve Clicquot gives it excellent cellaring potential, with an ageing window of approximately three to five years.
- Drink now: the wine expresses aromas of fresh yuzu and bright citrus.
- After 3 years: time adds a bottle-aged patina; autolysis of the yeasts amplifies the aromas of frangipane and brioche.
- After 5 years: over the years, gentle spices and honeyed notes enrich the flavour palette.
Serving recommendations
The ideal serving temperature is 8–10 °C. A brief chill in an ice bucket brings the wine to temperature without thermal shock. Using a wide-mouthed tulip glass preserves the complex aromas. Five minutes of aeration releases dried fruit esters.
A note about this cuvée
The Extra Brut Extra Old collection showcases the house's historic stock and illustrates the expertise handed down by its founders. One can sense the imprint of the great Pinot Noirs, which evoke the traditional blend of the Carte Jaune Brut. The low dosage offers a singular alternative to this house style and complements the balanced structure of the Veuve Clicquot rosé champagne. A bottle crafted for lovers of champagne in its most raw and uncompromising expression.
