Product Information:
Each Grand Vintage is unique, expressing Moët & Chandon’s Cellar Master's personal interpretation of the year. In Champagne, 2015 was a year of tension, dramatic heat, uncertainty… Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage 2015 is marked by a year of tension. The Champagne evokes an awakening, the first rays of a day full of promise. The 76th vintage in the history of the House, Grand Vintage 2015 is distinctive for its brilliance, tender bouquet and enveloping palate.
Grand Vintage 2015 calls for delicate flavors that will not overwhelm the palate. Ideal choices are exquisite and exotic white fruits, light and herby jus, small green vegetables. The secondary ingredient should have vegetal and delicates notes to echo the Champagne’s tenderness. Introduce a hint of bitterness to bring out on the finish. As always, finish by adjusting the salinity to underscore the flavours and highlight the dialogue between the dish and the Grand Vintage 2015.
Maker:
The legendary Moët & Chandon is celebrating 280 years as the world’s most loved champagne. For over a quarter of a millennium, the renowned French winemaker has been sharing the magic of champagne across the globe. Every glass overflows with the House’s hallmark values of history, generosity, savoir-faire, success, boldness and elegance—values still at the heart of its global appeal. Toward the end of the 18th century, Jean-Remy Moët, grandson of founder Claude Moët, became famous as the man who introduced champagne to the world. The important figures of the era, from the Marquise de Pompadour to Talleyrand to Napoleon quickly fell in love with the House’s effervescent wine. Moët & Chandon was soon the icon of success and elegance that it remains to this day.
The Vineyard/Philosophy:
As Chef de Cave, Benoît Gouez’s mastery of his art ensures champagne with the distinctive Moët & Chandon character. His style and integrity are essential to bringing out the best in each year’s harvest, in his words, “highlighting and sublimating the special characteristics of the grapes grown in Champagne.” With his consummate respect for the natural qualities of the fruit, this young, atypical Chef de Cave is the ideal guardian of the Moët & Chandon spirit.
Nose - Subtle Herbs, Apple, Jasmine
A tender and vegetal bouquet. The nose first expresses itself with restraint, subtly hinting a soft and fresh white-green spectrum of fruits. Initial notes of breadcrumbs, fresh brioche and almond paste give way to elderflower and jasmine, then to fruit such as white peach and watermelon.
Palate - Floral, FLeshy Fruit, Fennel
A direct and enveloping palate. The attack on the mouth is direct and confident. The structure is generous, ample and supple, reminiscent of the cotton flower. The enveloping and caressing texture is accompanied by floral, aniseed and mentholated nuances which bring lightness and freshness for such a solar vintage.
Finish - Sappy, Racy Acidity, Fresh Almonds
The finish lingers on a slightly sappy note, with a delicate bitterness evoking fresh almonds.
A firm, focused Champagne, with a pleasing crunchiness to the fine mousse. Reveals a toasty edge, with notes of smoke, brioche and vanilla showing up front, before transitioning to underscore and enrich flavors of nectarine and plum fruit, salted almond, lemon curd and anise as they expand through the creamy finish. Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. Disgorged February 2022. Drink now through 2033. - Wine Spectator, 94 Points.
The 2015 Extra-Brut Grand Vintage is a terrific choice for drinking now, as it is so expressive. Baked apple tart, spice, lemon confit, marzipan and a hint of toastiness are front and center. Open-knit and engaging, the 2015 is a Champagne of pure and total pleasure. Drink 2022-2030. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous, 93 Points.
Produced from 44% Pinot Noir, 32% Chardonnay, and the rest Meunier, the 2015 Champagne Grand Vintage Extra Brut pours a medium golden-straw hue and is opulent on opening with toasty aromas of baked bread, spiced orange peel, marzipan, and dried peach. Full-bodied, with a pillowy mouthfeel, it has a very nice balance of ripe fruit while retaining freshness Silky textured, its notes of citrus oils and orchard fruits last through the finish. This elegant and warming wine would do fantastically well moving into these cooler fall and winter months. Although I personally enjoy where this is for drinking now, it should hold up over the coming 6-8 years. Disgorged February 2022. Drink 2023-2031. - Audrey Frick - JebDunnuck.com, 93 points.
The Finer Details
Style - Champagne
Varietal - Pinot Noir 44%, Chardonnay 32%, Pinot Meunier 24%
Country - France
Region - Champagne
Vintage - 2015
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 12.5%