Champagne Moet Brut Rosé Grand Vintage 2016

This excellent Champagne happens to be only the 46th vintage rosé bottling of Moët & Chandon, who only makes wine in the best vintages – something quite unique when you consider they have been at it since 1743! Moët’s own website says about the 2016 vintage that it is “the Cellar Master's unique expression of a remarkable year in Champagne.” To have something so luxurious is a great feat after a growing season that was quite turbulent. After a cool and wet winter, rainy spring, and bone dry summer, the yields were low but the grapes that survived ripened exceptionally well with gorgeous concentration. And this wine so effortlessly and beautifully tells that story.

Moët & Chandon is one of the great wine brands of the world, and unquestionably one of the most famous Champagne houses. It was founded in 1743 in Épernay and is known for its consistency, elegance, and innovation. It’s also known as the house behind one of the most famous tête de cuvées of all: Dom Pérignon. But within its own cuvées, Moët has so much more to discover. Over its centuries-long history, these wines found favor with French dignitaries such as Louis XV and Napoleon, and even became the official supplier of Queen Elizabeth II’s bubbly needs.

With a cepage of 42% Pinot Noir (13% still red wine for color), 42% Chardonnay, and 15% Meunier, you’ll get a sampling of Champagne’s terroir in the form of its noblest grapes. Bright and rich notes of crushed raspberries, with cherries, strawberries, peonies, and fennel, sidle in first, followed by cranberry scone, tangerine, lemon zest, and yellow nectarine, with a hint of ginger snap and cocoa powder on the finish. Supple, balanced, delightfully rich and silky, this is an utter delight, well-suited to both further aging as well as popping open to savor in the here and now. You simply cannot go wrong with this fantastic Champagne… as usual, a true wonder of Grande Marque deliciousness!