Champagne, FranceThe true story of Napoleon Bonaparte, depicting the French leader's rise to power and his relationship with Empress Joséphine, is in movie theatres now. Would you be surprised that Moët Chandon has records dating back to 1881 showing Napoleon, or maybe Josephine, ordered the Rosé Impérial? The mix is 80/20 chardonnay with pinot meunier and pinot noir. It spends 4 years on lees before it is disgorged and dosed with 7 g/L of sugar. Look for an intriguing nose of strawberries and cherries with a whiff of early morning bakery. The palate is a red fruit affair with a citrus lining to keep the line moving through the palate. The finish is medium long with more cherry flecked with leather and spice. Ready to drink and very food-friendly. Perfect for a ratatouille, the more daring fresh frittata, or maybe with friends and the movie Napoleon.Tasted: 04 November 2023Tasted by: Prices:
Champagne, FranceMoët has records dating back to 1881 showing Napoleon ordering the Rosé Impérial. Climate change is a definite thing in Champagne; Rosé only used to be produced in the best / warmest years. Now all the rosés in the portfolio make up 20% of production, up from only 2% 20 years ago. One thing that sets this rosé apart from most peers is the use of pinot meunier in the base wine mix. Chef de Cave Benoît Gouez puts the pinot meunier through thermovinification, macerating the fruit for only 2 hours and then pressing, with no skin or seed contact. This extracts a lot of colour and fruit, but it's not a long-lived production method. To this they add pinot noir, macerated as normal. This is also the only red that goes into the reserves, as it has the structure and production method to last years. The two each make up 10% of the final blend of the Rosé Impérial, with chardonnay making up the majority at 80%. After up to 48 months on lees, this is dosed with 7 g/L. Strawberry leather, cherry brioche, red apple floods the palate, tightened on the sides with a slight grip, and lingering with cherry leather and fine spice.Tasted: 19 May 2020Tasted by: Prices:
Champagne, FranceBright fruitiness is the Moët goal, and they have it in this 40/50 percent pinot noir (with 10 percent red wine), 30/40 pinot meunier and 10/20 percent chardonnay that contains 20/30 selected reserve wines. The colour is peachy orange, the attack soft and round with a nine g/l dosage. Three years on lees provides a creamy, toasty structure that effortlessly holds the explosive raspberry, cherry, and cranberry with a citrus undercurrent. The freshness and acidity seal the deal, along with flecks of brown spice. Built for food, you could start with grilled salmon, but don't be afraid to serve this with grilled lamb or pork.Tasted: 05 November 2018Tasted by: Prices:
Champagne, FrancePouring a deeper peach hue, this is an assertive and punchy rose, with 40-50 percent pinot noir (10 percent still), 30-40 percent pinot meunier (10 percent still) and 10-20 percent chardonnay, with 20-30 percent reserve wines and a dosage of 9 g/l. Up to 48 months on the lees has provided a toasty structure, filled with cherry yogurt, cranberry tartness and raspberry jam. A brisk stream of grapefruit acidity and some cinnamon and nutmeg spicing lingers on the finish. A food wine can match up to tender lamb chops or grilled salmon.Tasted: 09 December 2017Tasted by: Prices:
Champagne, FranceIt has a lovely light coral colour. Ripe and round, rich cranberry, cherry, and raspberry fruit colouring a creamy lees-led core of pinot noir, pinot meunier and chardonnay. Succinct, with delicate, bright and vibrant spices underpinning some grippy, citrus cherry skin notes on the finish. This is 40-50 percent pinot noir (10 percent still), 30-40 percent pinot meunier (10 percent still) and 10-20 percent chardonnay, with 20-30 percent reserve wines and a dosage of 9 g/l. Try this with Peking Duck for an exotic night.Tasted: 07 December 2016Tasted by: Prices:
Champagne, FranceMost will love the pale raspberry colour that excites as it fills the glass. The nose is suitably fresh with spicy, earthy undertones reflecting the 40/50 percent mix of pinot noir, 10 percent of which is still red wine, along with 30 to 40 % pinot meunier again with 10 percent red wine included. The remainder, adding lightness and fruit, is 10 to 20 percent chardonnay. Strawberries and citrus streaked with toasted lees linger on the palate, revealing complex layers of flavours. Serve solo, with appetizers or with more substantial seafood dishes. Well done.Tasted: 02 January 2015Tasted by: Prices:
Champagne, FrancePale pink/orange colour invites. The nose is fresh with floral strawberry hints with bits of grass and chalk. The palate is soft with no aggressive acidity and fresh, spicy red fruit. Ripe strawberry, spicy, citrus/peach stone fruit flavours throughout and more creamy notes. An elegant style you can serve with grilled shellfish, carpaccio and or salmon. The mix is 40 to 50% pinot noir with 30 to 40% pinot meunier and 10 to 20% with about 10 percent red wine.Tasted: 24 November 2013Tasted by: Prices:
Champagne, FranceExpect a pale raspberry colour with an earthy, spicy red fruit nose built upon a 40 to 50 percent mix of pinot noir, 10 percent of which is red wine, along with 30 to 40 % pinot meunier again with 10 percent red wine included and 10 to 20 percent chardonnay. The attack is fresh and crisp with an elegant creamy mousse. On the palate, the flavours mix strawberry, spicy, citrus/peach stone fruit flavours flecked with herbal, toasty flavours. You can serve this full-flavoured style with elegance and balance with grilled shellfish, carpaccio, raw meats, and red flesh fish.Tasted: 11 March 2012Tasted by: Prices:
Champagne, FranceBrut Impérial Rosé is a blend of 50 to 60 percent pinot noir and 15 to 20 percent chardonnay; the balance is meunier. Pale salmon is the colour with dried cherries and bush fruit aromas, all streaked with spicy baked apples and almonds. It is a little lean but elegant with raspberry, cherry, and apple flavours and some citrus peel in the finish. Effortless sipping style or serve with a fish garnished with a red fruit sauce.Tasted: 01 November 2010Tasted by: Prices:
Champagne, FranceDelicate pale cherry colour with continuous but slightly large mousse. Floral, cherry, slate, toasty, green apple and citrus aromas. Rich, ripe, round palate with good acidity and moderate dosage. Red currant, leafy strawberry, nutty, mineral, apple skin flavours. It has good finesse in a rounder, slightly sweeter brut style.Tasted: 09 December 2007Tasted by: Prices:
Champagne, FranceBrut Impérial Rosé is a blend of 50 to 60 percent pinot noir and 15 to 20 percent chardonnay; the balance is meunier. Pale salmon is the colour with dried cherries and bush fruit aromas, all streaked with spicy baked apples and almonds. It is a little lean but elegant with raspberry, cherry, and apple flavours and some citrus peel in the finish. The dinner match is crepinette of rabbit Loin and sweetbreads with asparagus gratinees and potato pave in orange blossom honey and mustard jus.Tasted: 03 November 2002Tasted by: Prices: