Veuve Clicquot Brut Yellow Label Champagne NV Yellow Sun Totem — Chasing the Sun by Yinka Ilori 750ml

This is Veuve Clicquot's Brut Yellow Label, the House's signature Champagne, presented in the Yellow Sun Totem, a limited-edition piece from the "Chasing the Sun" collection created with London designer Yinka Ilori. The collection is Veuve Clicquot's celebration of "light, togetherness, and the unmistakable energy of the Maison," with a series of luminous, functional objects "destined to be collected and treasured."

The Sun Totem reinterprets the calabash, a traditional, portable drinking vessel, as a sunlit sculpture whose circular top echoes the sun. Ilori's design features protective hands embracing the sun in a vibrant palette of yellow and orange, with touches of blue. It's crafted from upcycled materials using 3D knitting technology and keeps the bottle fresh for up to 90 minutes. It's built to be reused long after the Champagne is gone, which makes it a ready-made gift. A pink Sun Totem pairs with the Brut Rosé.

Inside is the Yellow Label itself: a blend of 50 to 55% Pinot Noir, 28 to 33% Chardonnay, and 15 to 20% Meunier, with 25 to 45% reserve wines drawn from a library the House describes as the largest and most varied in Champagne, around 400 wines aged up to 30 years. Pinot Noir gives the wine its structure, Chardonnay brings elegance, and Meunier adds roundness. Three years of bottle aging builds the toasty character. The producer describes the aromatic profile as dominated by "white and yellow fruits like pear, apple, and peach," and "the first sip delivers all the freshness and strength so typical of Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label." Its nose moves from yellow and white fruit to vanilla and brioche.

Critics rate recent releases of this cuvée in the low 90s. Wine Spectator scored it 91 (August 2024), calling it "a harmonious Champagne" with a "refreshing, aperitif style" and "greater focus than is typical for an aperitif," with "patisserie apple and pear, lemon parfait, chopped almond and oyster shell" and "a mineral-driven finish." Tyson Stelzer's Champagne Guide gave 92, and Essi Avellan MW also gave 92, finding a "soft and overt nose with fragrant floral and complexing pastry tones" and "a spicy nuance from generous amounts of reserve wines." James Suckling noted "aromas of grapefruit, pomegranates, and biscuits," a "honeyed and sleek" medium body with "supple bubbles," and a "soft and creamy finish." It's a reliable, crowd-pleasing, easy-to-gift Champagne, in packaging that makes it a keepsake.

Origins & Craftsmanship

Veuve Clicquot Brut Yellow Label Champagne NV is produced by Veuve Clicquot, the Champagne house of Madame Clicquot in Reims, France. The cuvée is a Brut blend of 50-55% Pinot Noir, 28-33% Chardonnay, and 15-20% Meunier, with 25 to 45% reserve wines, aged three years in bottle, with a dosage of about 10 g/L. It has been in production since 1877. Bottled at 12% ABV, 750ml.

The Yellow Sun Totem is part of the limited-edition Chasing the Sun collection by designer Yinka Ilori. It is crafted from upcycled materials using 3D knitting technology and keeps a bottle fresh for up to 90 minutes.

Critics Reviews

Scores are for recent releases of the non-vintage Yellow Label cuvée; the bottle in the Sun Totem is the standard Yellow Label.

Wine Spectator — 91 Points (August 2024):
"This harmonious Champagne is appealing for its refreshing, aperitif style, yet there's 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."

Tyson Stelzer, The Champagne Guide — 92 Points:
"This is a release that flies the flag of the Veuve Clicquot style in presenting the bright freshness of pinot noir amidst the depth of deep reserves."

Essi Avellan, MW — 92 Points:
"Soft and overt nose with fragrant floral and complexing pastry tones on the nose. Peachy fruit profile with red fruit presence of Pinot Noir dominance as well as a spicy nuance from generous amounts of reserve wines."

James Suckling (February 2023):
"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."

Veuve Clicquot (official winemaker's notes):
"The first sip delivers all the freshness and strength so typical of Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label with a symphony of fruit following (pear, lemon). It is a true member of the Brut family, well-structured, admirably vinous... Initially reminiscent of yellow and white fruits, then of vanilla and later of brioche. Note the fine balance between the fruity aromas coming from the grape varieties and the toasty aromas, the result of the three years of bottle aging."

Tasting Profile

Nose
Golden-yellow with a foaming necklace of tiny bubbles. Pear, apple, and peach lead, with lemon, vanilla, and brioche, alongside grapefruit and biscuit.

Palate
Fresh, structured, and vinous, with pear and lemon carrying the entry, honeyed and creamy, with supple bubbles and toasty depth from reserve wines.

Finish
Soft, creamy, and long, with lemon freshness, a touch of spice, and a mineral edge.

Quick Overview

Food Pairings

• Oysters and shellfish
• Roast chicken
• Soft, creamy cheeses
• Canapés and light appetizers

Serving Note

Serve well chilled as an aperitif, or with a meal. The Sun Totem keeps the bottle fresh for up to 90 minutes, per the producer, which makes it a good fit for picnics and outdoor gatherings.