Larmandier-Bernier : Rosé de Saignée Extra Brut Premier Cru

(100% Pinot Noir from Vertus, with 3 g/l dosage): Light, bright orange. Pungent blood orange, strawberry and rose pastille scents are lifted and sharpened by a chalky mineral quality. Fleshy but dry and precise, offering intense red berry and bitter citrus pith qualities and a hint of tarragon. Shows red wine-like character and Champagne nerve, finishing with resonating florality and a touch of smokiness. This characterful pink Champagne would go with a host of foods, rich or on the light side.

Base 2017. Delicately pastry-like bouquet on tangy red fruits on the nose. Discreet vinosity on the palate, very stylish. Lively, fine finish with subtle menthol notes. Returns to blood orange. Classy.

An intense color; a saignée rosé with a pronounced herbal character. The nose is marked by red fruits and earthy notes.

The village of Vertus is unusual in the Côte des Blancs for playing host to a historical plantation of Pinot Noir. Here it is assembled with a little Pinot Gris by Côte des Blancs stalwarts Pierre and Sophie Larmandier into a striking, deep-cherry rosé de saignée (made by macerating the Pinot Noir skins in the juice at press). Absolutely bursting with strawberry and floral tones yet still manages to retain a linear, focused energy and supple texture that’s quite unusual for the style. A Côte des Blancs original.

Pure 2021, though it's not labeled, the NV Champagne Premier Cru Rose de Saignée Extra Brut offers the purity of framboise and is so on point, with a zesty freshness. It's a delightful rosé, especially if they can maintain the freshness. Offering notes of roses, raspberries, and fresh almond, this is a step above others I have had. Dosage is only 2 grams per litre.

The NV (2008) Extra Brut Rosé de Saignée boasts considerable focus and the pure energy of the 2008 harvest. Not unexpectedly, it is a cool, inward wine today, but it should blossom beautifully with time in the glass. Sweet floral notes wrap around the intense finish. This is a gorgeous Rosé, but readers will need to be patient. Personally, I like the wiry style very much. This is Lot# LR80910. Disgorged: September, 2010. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2018. Biodynamic farming and non-interventionist winemaking are at the heart of Pierre and Sophie Larmandier’s impeccably run domaine. The wines are fermented with indigenous yeasts, large neutral casks are increasingly favored and bottling is done with no fining or filtration. These are some of the purest, most impeccable wines being made in Champagne today. Importer: Polaner Selections, Mt. Kisco, NY; tel. (914) 244-0404