Moët et Chandon Grand Vintage 2009 and Grand Vintage Rosé 2009

champagne

Moët et Chandon Grand Vintage 2009 and Grand Vintage Rosé 2009

moet et chandon grand vintage

Tasted the latest vintage releases from Moët, the 2009s. This was a season that starred badly, with lots of rain. But this all cleared by mid-July, and the rest of the summer was hot and dry, resulting in a harvest of very ripe grapes. It was a particularly good Pinot Noir vintage, and this variety is highly represented in these wines: it’s not since 1996 that there’s been so much in the Grand Vintage.

The important thing to notice: as is the case since 2002, dosage has been 5 g/litre, which is extra brut. This is in response to the higher average maturity experienced in Champagne these days, and makes the wines more gastronomic and vinous. I think they’re both really nice. A note on pricing: these are RRPs and are unusually high. You can often get the Grand Vintage in the mid- to late-30s, which makes it good value.

Champagne Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage 2009 France
This, the 73rd vintage is composed of 50% Pinot Noir, 36% Chardonnay and 14% Pinot Meunier. This has lovely weight, and with a dosage of just 5 g/litre seems quite dry and focused. There’s some lemon and cherry character to the fruit, with a twist of baked apple and pear richness. There’s just a touch of pithy bitterness, but it holds the slight fruit sweetness in good tension. There’s definitely a ripeness to the fruit, which is dominant, but there’s also some faint toasty richness. 92/100 (c£47 Selfridges, Harrods, Fortnum & Mason, Wholefoods, Majestic, Oddbins)

Champagne Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage Rosé 2009 France
59% Pinot Noir (of which a fifth is still red wine), 30% Chardonnay and 11% Pinot Meunier. Quite a full pink/orange colour. Restrained with good concentration of citrus flavours as well as a bit of red cherry, a trace of dried herbs and some cranberry and apple notes. This feels quite dry and gastronomic, with a low dosage of 5 g/litre, and it’s quite vinous. There’s a bit of grip here and just a twist of bitter damson on the finish, and overall the balance is really good. 91/100 (c£60 Selfridges, Fortnum & Mason, Harrods, Wholefoods, Majestic, Oddbins)

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