Description & elaboration
The Ice Impérial Pharell Williams cuvée from Moët & Chandon is a champagne designed to be served over ice — a first in the House's history. It offers notes of mango and ripe nectarine — red fruits — and gentle spices. On the palate, the texture is full and fleshy, crafted to withstand the dilution of ice cubes while remaining fresh and thirst-quenching. A rare cuvée, shaped with boldness by cellar master Benoît Gouez.
It presents a fruit-forward aromatic profile underpinned by a mentholated freshness. Cellar master Benoît Gouez adjusts the structure for summer lunches. The wine offers a refreshing alternative to classic aperitifs during periods of intense heat.
The packaging features an immaculate white lacquer finish, the visual signature of this cuvée. The specific blend preserves aromatic intensity against thermal dilution.
The Terroir
The grapes of Moët & Chandon come from multiple Champagne crus. The vines are rooted in clay-limestone formations typical of the Marne, where the porous chalk releases water to the vine roots during summer. Benoît Gouez selects the juices according to their maturity and their ability to support a high dosage.
The northern vineyards of the Montagne de Reims provide tension and structure. The south-facing slopes concentrate sugars, while the plots of the Vallée de la Marne contribute roundness and consistency to the blend.
Winemaking
The blend is built around a large majority of Pinot Noir, which accounts for 40 to 50% of the volumes. This grape variety provides the vinosity needed to balance the dilution of ice cubes. Its profile evokes the structure of a Blanc de Pinots Noirs.
Meunier accounts for 30 to 40% of the composition and delivers a fleshy mid-palate texture. Chardonnay completes the blend with 10 to 20%, contributing a refreshing final vivacity after the addition of ice cubes. Each variety ferments separately in stainless steel tanks.
Malolactic fermentation softens the natural structure of the base wines. Lees ageing lasts a minimum of 18 months in the cellar. The final dosage stands at exactly 45 g/L, placing this cuvée among Demi-Sec champagnes.
Blend characteristics
The creation relies primarily on wines from recent harvests. Pinot Noir provides a well-defined acidic backbone. Reserve wines account for 20 to 30% of the blend and add further aromatic complexity.
The proportions are specifically adjusted for low-temperature service, in order to guarantee aromatic consistency from one year to the next.
Tasting notes
Appearance
The colour is a deep gold with amber hues. Fine bubbles rise slowly along the glass, a sign of controlled effervescence.
Nose
The nose immediately expresses tropical fruit notes — mango, ripe nectarine — carried by hints of red fruits and gentle spices. Aeration enhances this generous, summery character.
Palate
The attack is full and fleshy. The finish is refreshing, with grapefruit aromas and a mentholated freshness. A thirst-quenching bitterness delicately coats the palate at the close.
Food pairing suggestions
- Foie gras on toast
- Smoked salmon canapés
- Aged Iberian ham
- Honey-glazed chicken
- Thai spiced curry
- Roast duck with citrus
- Mango panna cotta
- Fresh fruit salad
- Yellow fruit tart
The Plus de Bulles expert's opinion
Why I love it
What captivates me about this summer cuvée is its generous, fleshy body. I loved the burst of tropical fruits and gentle spices, beautifully balanced by a lingering finish of citrus and fresh ginger.
My recommendation
Serve at 8–10 °C in a large wine glass with three ice cubes. It is the ideal companion to an exotic mango fish tartare.
Advice
How to store this champagne?
Plus de Bulles ships this bottle (75 cl) in reinforced packaging specially designed for champagne transport. Upon receipt, we recommend storing the bottle horizontally, away from light. Ideally in a cellar, and in any case in a cool, not too dry environment with a relatively stable temperature.
Ageing potential
The Ice Impérial Pharell Williams cuvée from Moët & Chandon evolves pleasantly over time. This wine has a cellaring potential of three years.
- Drinking now: the wine expresses the primary aromatics of the grapes — mango, red fruits, gentle spices.
- After 2 years: the wine develops more mellow, rounded and candied notes.
- After 3 years: with time, more complex tertiary aromas emerge.
Serving suggestions
We recommend pouring the wine into a large stemless glass. Then add three large ice cubes to chill the full volume. Aeration releases the exotic palette derived from the Pinot Noir. Gradual chilling moderates the perception of sweetness in this Demi-Sec.
A story behind this cuvée
The House conceived this cuvée specifically for serving over ice — a first in the history of champagne. The winemaking team adjusted the sweetness to anticipate the dilution of ice cubes. Enthusiasts will also enjoy the iconic Brut Impérial cuvée with its emblematic character.
The House moves away from classic labelling in favour of a lacquer finish applied directly to the glass, inspired by the world of contemporary design. This creative approach contrasts with the expression of a great vintage champagne. The bottle stands out with its clean, white aesthetic.
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