Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Brut NV

(roughly 50% pinot noir, 30% chardonnay and 20% pinot meunier; Lot 14009913): Light gold. Musky orchard fruits and dried fig on the mineral-accented nose. Fleshy and broad on the palate, offering smoky pear and nectarine flavors and a hint of honey. Finishes on a gently spicy note, with very good cling and a touch of bitter lemon pith. Things have definitely begun to turn around for this bottling, which had been lagging behind the winery's vintage offerings for some time.

• Nombre del Crítico: Josh Raynolds
• Fecha de Reseña: diciembre 2013

No Tasting Note.

Light gold. Musky orchard fruits and dried fig on the mineral-accented nose. Fleshy and broad on the palate, offering smoky pear and nectarine flavors and a hint of honey. Finishes on a gently spicy note, with very good cling and a touch of bitter lemon pith. Things have definitely begun to turn around for this bottling, which had been lagging behind the winery's vintage offerings for some time.

Bright, pale color. Initially reticent nose opened to reveal lemon, apple, mandarin orange, minerals and fresh herbs. Dry, bright and frothy, but with only moderate concentration and depth of flavor. Seems rather light-bodied for a wine from this house, but still a major improvement over a bottle I tasted last fall. Finishes with notes of apple skin and stony minerality.

• Nombre del Crítico: Stephen Tanzer
• Fecha de Reseña: diciembre 2014

Bright yellow-gold. Poached pear and candied citrus fruits on the nose, which shows notes of spun sugar and toffee. Sweet orchard and pit fruit flavors are slightly cloying and loose-knit, with slow-mounting spiciness. Finishes on a warm note, with decent length and a suggestion of candied orange.

• Nombre del Crítico: Josh Raynolds
• Fecha de Reseña: diciembre 2014