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Anthony Gismondi on Wine
Champagne Moët & Chandon Rosé Imperialtext
91POINTS
16¾/20

Champagne Moët & Chandon Rosé Imperial NV

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:
BC$93.99750mlBCL Stores
AB$99.99750mlselect private retailers
MB$104.99750mlManitoba Liquor Mart
ON$99.65750mlLCBO
QC$95.50750mlSAQ
Producer: Moet & ChandonDistributors: Charton-Hobbs
Blend: Pinot Noir - Pinot Meunier - ChardonnayCSPC: 67468UPC: 03185370696842