Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage is the house’s time capsule: a single-harvest Brut Champagne released only in years that merit declaration. Built around Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Meunier in proportions that shift with the season, it spends significantly longer on lees than the non-vintage Impérial, trading immediacy for depth, finesse and a drier, modern profile. (And yes, pronounce the family name with the “t”: Mo-ett, owing to its Dutch origin.)
Aromatically, expect citrus oils and crisp orchard fruit opening into toasted almond, flaky pastry and brioche from extended lees ageing. The palate is sleek and mineral-lined, with a fine, persistent mousse and a savoury, gently smoky finish. Warmer vintages lean to stone fruit and a broader mid-palate; cooler years show more tension, green apple and chalk.
Serve at 10–12 °C in white-wine glasses to let the flavours breathe. Classic food pairings include oysters and dressed crab, turbot with beurre blanc, roast chicken with tarragon, and aged Comté; the wine’s precision and low Brut dosage keep richness in check and spotlight detail.
Grand Vintage is ready to drink on release but rewards patience. Five to ten years from disgorgement is a sweet spot for most editions, with top years ageing comfortably beyond. Collectors should look for the “Grand Vintage Collection” late-disgorged releases for extra complexity and tertiary nuance—deeper toast, honeyed notes and a silkier texture without losing line and freshness.
