The arrival of the late great Daniel Thibault transformed Piper-Heidsieck beyond recognition. The style is now fuller and rounder with elegance and charm. The cepage is an equal blend of all 3 varieties and shows good balance and length. The wine is a fresh aperitif style which is much finer than is often given credit for. Marilyn Monroe famously declared that she went to bed every night with Chanel No5 behind her ears and woke up every morning with a glass of Piper-Heidsieck.

Only made in the very best of vintages by winemaker Guillaume Roffiaen, the primary aromas are dominated by the signature style of the Cuvée Spéciale, with citrus fruit freshness and floral hints as its calling card. In the mouth there is immense freshness from the Chardonnay backbone, bringing apricot and delicate peach notes. The cris, fruity attack delivers a thirst-quenching sensation, with mineral notes stimulating the taste buds. The mid-palate is perfectly balanced, with the silky Meunier paving the way for a surprising aromatic finale of great depth and complexity, from the well-structured Pinot Noir.

Veuve Clicquot is widely regarded as one of the great Champagne houses. A pioneer in Champagne, Madame Clicquot's legacy can still be tasted in every bottle of Veuve. The Vintage by Veuve is a typically generous and full-bodied style of Champagne with all the toastiness and notes of brioche lover of Veuve have come to expect.

With its distinctive yellow label, Veuve Clicquot is the enduring homage to the great Madame Barbe-Nicole Clicquot. Under Madame Clicquot's guidance, this famous Champagne house became a global phenomenon and a continued success story. A Champagne from the fuller-bodied school with flavours of buttered toast, brioche and biscuit to complement the ever present fine acidity and flavour length that is a trademark.