Moet Chandon Imperial Brut NV (Limited Gold Cold Jacket) [CLOSE OUT]
91 points Wine & Spirits
This blend is mostly Pinot Noir and Meunier, including 10% red wine for color. Chardonnay accounts for 10% to 20%, including a portion of reserve wines that may be providing the oceanic, oyster-shell notes that bring to mind Champagne’s Kimmeridgean limestone. This is broad and loose up front, with fruity scents of orange and pomegranate. Then the wine keeps buzzing with brisk acidity, tightening up and extending the flavors with energy. An impressive release of Impérial. (12/2015)
91 points Wine Spectator
Bright and balanced, featuring a fine, lively bead, mouthwatering acidity and a lightly toasty profile of poached pear and black currant flavors, with rich hints of lemon curd and pastry cream. (AN) (11/2018)
90 points Vinous
Light, bright yellow. Musky pear and toasty lees on the nose and in the mouth. Fleshy and open-knit, with a hint of bitter lemon pith adding back-end cut. Finishes on a gently smoky note, with very good cling and focus and a hint of bitter quinine. This must be the best example of this bottling that I've had in years, if not decades. In the past the Imperial Brut received a dosage of 12 g/l, but no more; in fact, there's talk that in the near future it may be dropped down as far as 7 g/l. (JR) (1/2015)
Decanter
This Champagne has a large portion of both Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, as well as up to 30% of reserve wine and a dosage of 9g/l. It has a very citrussy nose, with zippy yellow and white fruits on the palate. It's medium-bodied and nicely balanced, with a pleasantly fruity foundation of primarily red fruit. A nice match with sushi. (YC) (12/2018)