1985 Veuve Clicquot "Rare" Brut Rosé Champagne

94 points Wine Enthusiast: "Mature yes, but definitely not old. This wine is at its peak now, the fruit still amazingly fresh, but given wonderful complexity by toast, spice and almonds There is an intense acidity that leaves a mouthful of liveliness alongside the great depth of flavor." (12/08) 93 points Wine Spectator: "This rosé Champagne is aging gracefully, layering flavors of coffee, treacle, roasted nuts, toasted bread, dried cherry and spice. Rich and elegant, with lovely integration of the still-vibrant acidity. The finish of smoke and graphite lingers." (11/10) 91 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "Warm strawberries, cinnamon, pot pourri and dried ginger aromas give way to subtle hints of chalk and white pepper. The palate is fully mature yielding mouth-filling red berry fruit seasoned with a pleasant spiciness. Crisp acidity and a long chalky finish." (05/09) This Champagne is composed of 63% Pinot Noir, 33% Chardonnay and 4% Meunier and gets its color from 18% of the Pinot (a selection of Clicquot's best Bouzy vineyards, of which they own a staggering 72 acres!) that is vinified red. It is dosed at 9 grams per liter, which was a surprise to their winemaking panel after many blind tastings because it was the exact same as the original 1992 dosage!