A Solid Benchmark For Rosé - Moët and Chandon Grand Vintage Rosé 2002

Moët and Chandon Grand Vintage Rosé 2002 serves as a good example of rosé champagne that has benefited from a fine harvest. 2002 is considered to be the best harvest since the famous 1996 harvest that produced consistently good quality grapes (primarily showing excellent balance of sugar and acidity).

For Moët and Chandon’s heralded 2002 grand vintage, it benefited from a relatively warm winter followed by a warm, dry spring with no persisting problems from frost. Despite significant storms around harvesting time in September, the grapes quickly dried off which produced healthy grapes. The warmer, drier weather allowed grapes to ripen beautifully – that is, the rate and timing of sugar levels rising as acidity levels fell was close to perfect, producing grapes with good alcohol level potential (around 10.5% and - according to Moët  - is the highest since 1990) which would eventually result in great structural harmony. This particularly affects chardonnay, a very sensitive grape, as the warmer climate  produced different characteristics to other vintages; resulting in more developed, riper fruit flavours. 

Disgorged in May 2009, the wine sat on lees for around seven years and has had three years of additional aging on cork before my tasting. Some people argue that when champagne is left to age on cork (post-disgorgement), that it runs the risk of losing its freshness and oxidating, as the lees during the disgorgement process are important for ensuring maximum freshness. But then most of these people agree that this largely depends on the wine-making process itself.

This is actually quite an important point because some of the reviews I have read about this champagne say that they pick up a lack of freshness – which wasn’t the case for me.

It’s also important to observe the very low dosage added, only 5.5 grams a litre, indicating the wine is quite dry, but is also a testament to the quality of the harvest.

This little bit of research is actually quite important for observing the tasting of the champagne itself as I could actually notice the very characteristics this vintage was said to have produced, my observations of which now follows.

Blend – 51% pinot noir (including 27% red wine), 28% chardonnay, and 21% pinot meunier.

Glass – Dominated by a dusky rose colour, you would think the glass came straight off a vintage champagne poster. Upon pouring, there was fantastic mousse but as I ceased, there were very few beads apart from a single line bubbling to the surface. This  could possibly indicate the champagne is aged but could also indicate a lack of freshness or something interfering with the cuvée in the glass.

Nose – I observed some lovely developing notes and the subtle hint of strawberries.

Palate - The palate was led assertively by strawberry which was under-laid with cream. Quite bold and full-flavoured, it was zesty and lively yet beautifully rounded. I noticed how strawberry flavours moved down my tongue, leaving behind noticeable tannins (from the addition of red wine) and leading to a dry finish that was delightfully fresh.

As I took subsequent sips, strawberries dominated and the alcohol was noticeable, warming my cheeks. After a few minutes, a very slight nuttiness emerged, producing subtle complexity before leading to a medium plus finish.

Result – 92 / 100.

Further reading - Moët actually have a great video on their website featuring their Chef de Cave talking about this champagne and the 2002 harvest, you can find it here: Moet and Chandon. I found this really informative article that talks about the affects of oxidation on champagne cuvée: The Wine Doctor. For further tasting notes, please visit Cellar Tracker.

Where to buy - Try Champagne Gallery.