2008 MOET & CHANDON GRAND VINTAGE BRUT ROSE- 46% Pinot Noir, 32% Chardonnay, and 22% Pinot Meunier; aged for 7 years in the cellars with 6 months of post disgorgement [5 gms/l] ageing; the colour is an interesting dark hued copper red, the nose is redolent of floral notes especially of rose petals, red raspberry and red cherry with accents of clove and mint; the taste is of fresh and concentrated red fruit with a semblance of balance; this has bright acidity, great mouthfeel and a refreshing and spirited finish.
NV CHARLES HEIDSIECK BRUT RESERVE- this was first bottled and aged in 2009, disgorged in 2017; it is a bland of 60 crus vinified separately with a division of 33% Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier; they use 40% reserve wines with an average age of 10 years from the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vineyards taken from the best crus from the best years and aged from 5-15 years in stainless still vats.
Tasting notes: the colour has a golden hue; included in the aromatics is nice toasted brioche, almond paste and stone fruit notes with apricot and papaya most prevalent; the taste profile had vanilla laced red plums and cherries as well; it was delivered in a creamy mousse which served to enhanced and prolong the finish to grand proportions.
NV JOSE DHONDT ROSE de SAIGNEE BRUT- it had an amazing colour of red amber; the initial nose was of freshly trimmed rose petals, clove and fruit forwardness of maraschino cherry, strawberry and red raspberry with a hit of cinnamon; the aromas and taste profile softened dramatically in a few minutes becoming less intense and also included spicy clove accented red raspberry; over time, the wine significantly mellowed and balanced out; it was full bodied with a rich assortment of flavours.
2008 LANSON GOLD LABEL VINTAGE BRUT- with more than 6 years of ageing in the cellar, this bottle was disgorged in October, 2017; it`s rich and full bodied, creamy in texture and just about right on the dosage level for me= not too sweet; the taste profile includes peach, pear, grapefruit, kiwi and lime with accents of ginger and saline; some citrus notes come in past mid palate; this has bright acidity and is good champagne, not to big and yet big enough.
The Jose Dhondt Rose is one of the most vinous Champagnes I’ve ever encountered. Perhaps not for everyone but I love it. It pairs well with food, even something as hearty as beef.
I’ve had mixed luck with the Dhondt Rose. There was a recent disgorgement that was a lot less lees time (18 months) and a much higher dosage than usual (10 g/l) that really left me cold. The previous bottling I really loved had double the lees time and half the dosage.
That`s a good way to put it Michael, calling this the most vinous. Initially, it knocked my socks off, but as noted, it “mellowed out” at least to the point of not being overwhelming. I have to think using the saignee method had a lot to do with its intensity.
Agree with the intrigue about the 08 Moets Jim. They show well out of the gate and have significant structure and acidity to hold up for decades. Ive had 02s, 04s, 06s and now 08s and have enjoyed all immensely. They released an 03`, but I have not seen it offered.
There’s only been one so far that was shorter-aged, higher-dosed that I have had. It was kind of a fruit bomb. I was a fan of the two previous disgorgements of the wine that I tried, they definitely fit the vinous bill. Still a fan of the estate, particularly the vintage BdB.
Tech info is on the back label (not sure if it was when you bought), so check that before you go deep again.
Amateur question: Is the 2008 MOET & CHANDON GRAND VINTAGE BRUT ROSE considered a lower level than the Dom Perignon label? (aside from being rose). What is the difference?
and to add to that, Dom sits at the top along with other bottlings now called the Plentitude series [was Oenotechque], then comes the Grand Vintage wines and then the Imperial wines.
