Moët & Chandon are the most famous producers in Champagne. First founded in 1743 by Claude Moët, it was the marketing acumen of Rémy Moët which initiated the brand's international fame and mass volume production. Since then, Moët & Chandon have grown by acquiring other champagne estates, selling them forward and keeping their prestigious vineyards. Such large-scale production could only operate under the leadership of a truly superb Chef de Caves and in Benoît Gouez, Moët have one of the best. With a ten-man oenologist team led by chief Dom Pérignon winemaker Vincent Chaperon, Benoît has access to the most academic minds and palates in the region, no doubt a huge driving factor behind his success. Now proprietors to the largest amount of land: some 1,190-hecatres of rich limestone soil, and the largest extent of cellars: over twenty eight kilometres.
Every Grand Vintage is unique and original, the Cellar Master's interpretation of the singular year that is produced. The Möet & Chandon Grand Vintage spirit is founded on three essential values: Freedom of interpretation, selection of the year's most remarkable wines and individuality of the vintage. Grand Vintage 2000 is the maison’s 67th vintage. This champagne is a very limited release, typically Moet Grand Vintage is released after 6-8 years on the lees, this late release version with 14 years lees ageing has broadened out the texture and really added to its complexity. Having undergone tirage on cork this slows down its ageing and adds further complexity.
Weather: The 2000 vintage was seen by many as a miraculous year. The vines were hit by heavy rain, storms and hail in the winter, leaving a successful harvest on the brink. However, the vintage was saved by the hottest August and September in fifty years, providing the grapes with much needed sunshine and warmth.
Technical Information:
Vineyards: Predominantly Grand & Premier Crus
Grape Varieties: 50% Chardonnay, 34% Pinot Noir, 16% Meunier
Ageing: 14 years on the lees
Disgorged: December 2015
Dosage: 5 g/l
Drink: Now to 2030
Tasting Note: A rich gold colour. On the nose there is bundles of rich ripe lemon and those toasty notes similar to fresh bread, hints of vanilla, honeysuckle and bitter orange. On the palate, fresh bread, green apple and citrus fruit along with dried citrus fruits. As always with Moet vintage has that slightly chalky finish and finished so light and delicate.
Put simply, Moët & Chandon are the most famous producers in Champagne. With production (rumoured to be in the region of thirty million bottles annually) accounting for over one-tenth of the entire region's, their role as an image builder for the appellation as a whole cannot be overstated. First founded in 1743 by Claude Moët, it was the marketing acumen of Rémy Moët which initiated the brand's international fame and mass volume production. Realising the business potential of his close friendship with Napoleon, Rémy even built the emperor a palace, Trianon on Avenue de Champagne.
Since then, Moët & Chandon have grown by acquiring other champagne estates, selling them forward and keeping their prestigious vineyards. Such large-scale production could only operate under the leadership of a truly superb Chef de Caves and in Benoît Gouez, Moët have one of the best. With a ten-man oenologist team led by chief Dom Pérignon winemaker Vincent Chaperon, Benoît has access to the most academic minds and palates in the region, no doubt a huge driving factor behind his success. Now proprietors to the largest amount of land: some 1,190-hecatres of rich limestone soil, and the largest extent of cellars: over twenty eight kilometres, Moët & Chandon's future is as secure as their champagnes are delicious.
Cellar Master:
Benoît Gouez
Winery Location: Épernay | Champagne, France
Champagne Region:
Côte des Blancs
Annual Production (bottles): Undisclosed
Chef de Cave History at Champagne Moët & Chandon:
Benoît Gouez - 2005 to current | Prior to joining Moët & Chandon, he worked in various other wine regions, including California, Australia, and New Zealand. Gouez's team includes chief Dom Pérignon winemaker Vincent Chaperon and a ten-man oenologist team, providing him with extensive expertise and resources