Charles Heidsieck : Vintage Rosé 2006

Charles Heidsieck's 2006 Brut Rosé (with 10% Pinot Noir red wine) was released before the 2005. Disgorged at the end of 2014, the wine offers a delicate and intense wild-strawberry flavor with some lovely spicy aromas on the nose. Ample, full and round, this is a beautifully matured Rosé with a super intense and aromatic Pinot character (sweet cherries, red berries). The finish underlines the great complexity, purity and finesse of this vinous Rosé. There are cherry aromas again in the long aftertaste. An impressive Rosé.

This focused rosé Champagne offers a mousse with the texture of raw silk, which swathes the firm frame in layers of roasted hazelnut, baked peach, toasted brioche and crème de cassis flavors, with a rich, smoky underpinning and accents of candied kumquat, espresso and ground ginger and cumin that expand on the finish. Drink now through 2030. 100 cases imported.

Medium deep pink colour with a copper hue and some maturity. Fine and layered nose, mature with autolytic notes, brioche, butter, sweet red fruit, citrus and a fine toastiness with roasted nuts. Very good grip on the palate, a vibrant freshness, yet mature with sweet red fruit, crushed nuts, a creamy texture and underlying freshness, and a long and layered finish with good harmony, maturity and complexity.

The 2006 vintage of the rosé seems a bit more evolved, with a finish marked by notes of wax and dried fruit and a slightly candied touch.

This is a pale-colored wine with a finely wrought texture and great fruit. It is tight and mineral on the one hand, but balanced with the crispest red-currant flavors that offer a bright line in acidity. Delicious hints of age round out the final fresh aftertaste.