In 1842, Moët & Chandon created one of Champagne’s first vintages to meet the demand of British and American wine lovers for more mature wines. As a singular expression of a year, every new vintage will form part of the fabulous heritage of the Maison: the Grand Vintage Collection. Welcome, Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage 2012.
Unique and original, they are each a result of Moët & Chandon Chef de Cave’s personal, free interpretation of the singular qualities of that year’s grapes. The House’s 74th vintage, Grand Vintage 2012, is meant for milestone moments and epicurean experiences with gourmet delights.
CLIMATE AND HARVEST REPORT
Despite the many climate challenges, 2012 provided a particularly excellent harvest. After experiencing early winter frosts and late spring frosts, downpours, hails storms and a cold spell during flowering, the growers were uncertain of whether a vintage would be able to be declared. However, as always in Champagne, everything can change in the last month before harvest.
August was the saviour. Warm, dry weather, coupled with a small harvest (9,000 kg/ha, 40% lower than the 10 year average), kept the fruit healthy and encouraged the grapes to ripen.
The harvest began between 10 and 26 September depending on the parcels, because there were huge differences in berry ripeness. With 10.6 degrees potential alcohol and 7.8 g/L total acidity, 2012 grapes were both sweeter and higher in acid than the ten year average. This balance is reminiscent of 2002, 1989 and 1966, which were very high quality vintages, proven to have wonderful longevity.
BLEND
41% Chardonnay, 33% Pinot Noir, 26% Meunier
TASTING NOTES
A shimmering color:
Bright, pale yellow with glints of green, and fine, persistent bubbles.
A bouquet characterized by freshness:
Initial notes of fresh white flowers evolve towards sweet, fragrant pastries, with occasional scents of fresh walnuts, hazelnuts and biscuits. In parallel, the fruit is crisp, freshly ripened, with aromas of pear, white peach and nectarine.
The attack is soft, supple and fluid. The palate then develops texture, with a softness like cashmere or felt. This initial softness gradually reveals a purity, the crisp structure lengthens, lingering, to offer an iodized, tangy finish, underscored by a mouthwatering hint of grapefruit.
MATURATION
The presence of coloured reflection on the glass of the bottle is evidence of long years of maturation. (5 years minimum) in the chalky atmosphere the Moët & Chandon ancestral cellars. The bottle you may have in your possession may show these signs of the maturation process. It has absolutely no incidence on the quality of the Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage 2012 champagne and on the contrary, embodies proof of all the patience implemented by Moët & Chandon, further than the minimum legal standards, to develop the aromatic complexity of their wines.