COMPOSITION
In this wonderful vintage, Chardonnay (51%) dominates the blend with all of its brilliance, proving itself to be fresh and generous at the same time. Its almost equally-weighted companions are Pinot Noir with intense fruity notes (26%) and Meunier which brings full-bodied consistency (23%).
A SUBLIME APPEARANCE
Deep and bright gold, it is adorned with golden yellow glints.
A COMPLEX AND MATURE NOSE
Pear, citrus, mirabelle plum, nectarine: after 15 years of maturation, the initial fruity notes still linger, and become even more candied. But its maturity is evident: dark and toasted, with warm notes of crispbread and mocha, nougatine and cinnamon biscuits, grilled chestnut and cigar. A smattering of scrubland aromas and honey notes add to the complexity.
A SMOOTH, PRONOUNCED PALACE
The opening is solid, deliberate and dense, but never heavy. The texture is thick. It is both sticky and crunchy, like crystallized fruit, nougatine or a candy apple. The finish brings licorice and peppery notes, it is lively and sweet.
5,5 g/liter
15 years
At least 6 months
In the mouth, the palette of this Grand Vintage Collection 2002 champagne is reminiscent of a shimmering shade of yellow: the toasted and golden blond colour of brioche, the sparkle of a yellow gold nugget, the rich and creamy yellow of farm-churned butter, the matte nuances of ripe wheat and frangipane, the coppery yellow of roasted almonds.
With its lively character and full body, this champagne requires weighty textures, reminiscent of raw ceramic, golden mat, or the deep and radiant glow of candied fruit or the firm and shiny density of a candied chestnut.
This is a perfect champagne to serve with dinner, it offers candied aromas and complex flavours, and will pair beautifully with dishes that have been cooked slowly.
Explore the hidden side of Mediterranean cuisine, like a ratatouille without red peppers but with pine nuts and dried apricots.
Play around with the contrast between very ripe fruit and controlled vegetal content.
Bring dishes from the past (Gascon garbure, kig ha farz, stews, etc.) into the modern present with a more luminous character, but not forgetting the richness of the origins.
Cook fish gently in foaming butter, basting all the while.
Cook at low temperatures (olive oil bath at 60°C).
Try out complementary contrasts. For example, grilled bacon and langoustine with a spicy fruit sauce.
Materially and chromatically cold for a taste of the sea (like that of oysters).
Red crustaceans.
The pronounced acidity of unripe citrus.
Fresh raw and unseasoned fruit.
The powerful bitterness of overly seared spices.
Bisques made with crustaceans or fish, too potent in taste and too strong.
Recipes without contrasting textures.
Bouquets garnis (or herbs) that have been infused for too long (bitterness).
Soft cheeses (Camembert, Brie de Meaux, Chaource, Brillat-Savarin, etc.)
Mâche non excessiveJutosité délicate et éléganteŒufs de poisson (pour le craquant et la salinité iodée)
Poissons à chair blanche (daurade, bar, turbot, St. Pierre, Sole) Œufs de poisson
Cru :Sushi, sashimi, carpaccioMariné “à la tahitienne” (Citron vert, gingembre, lait de coco)Ceviche sans excès de vinaigre ou de sojaCuit :Rôti sans excès de colorationPoché et servis avec une mayonnaise vis avec une mayonnaise
Complex and delicate
Vegetarian recipe
« Much like his champagne, as soon as Monsieur Moët enters the room boredom disappears. »
