n.v. Ruinart, Brut Rosé, Champagne, France.
It is well and truly into the Champagne season and my reviews are very bubbly heavy this month with some great and delicious offerings from both Grand Marques and Grower Producers, and while I personally favor the Extra Brut and Grower Fizz most of the time, this Ruinart Rosé was a charmer at a recent gathering of Champagne lovers and a worthy rival to Billecart Rosé, a long time standard barer. The salmon/pink Ruinart Brut Rosé, a blend of almost equal parts Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, fermented white with no Meunier, plus a dose of red wine (Pinot Noir) for color, has a creamy and yeasty palate with sour cherry, strawberry, red apple, citrus and fig fruits, along with loads of leesy brioche, delicate florals, warm spice and toast notes. The smooth beading mousse feels perfectly matched to the depth and lively enough to frame this easy to love Champers into a highly enjoyable package. Thanks to my friends, Tom and Julien, who both brought bottlings of this Ruinart Rosé, which we happily went through in quick secession, both (bottles) of which were showing close to identical characteristics.
The Brut Rosé, according to Maison Ruinart, is crafted to be a harmonious champagne that balances the aromatic freshness of Côte des Blancs and Montagne de Reims Chardonnay, which accounts for close to 45% of the cuvée with the fruitiness of Montagne de Reims and Vallée de la Marne Pinot Noir, that makes up about 43% that is vinified as white, and 12% vinified as red wine that gives the color. The winery goes on to explain that the grapes were all hand harvested a saw careful selection and the finished Brut Rosé typically sees a blend of 40–50 crus in any given vintage and includes 20 to 30% reserve wines, which come from a good lengthy range of vintages. For Ruinart, the primary alcoholic fermentation is in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats and the wines are almost exclusively tank raised and the Champagne is yeast aged for 24 to 36 months and sees a modest dosage, making for a luxurious and opulent bubbly. I must admit, I’ve not given Ruinart much attention in the past, but this Rosé, well received win the tasting, was very solid and deserved merit and mention here, again, as noted above, it performed on par with its elite competitors in its price range.
($85 Est.) 92 Points, grapelive