n.v. Henriet-Bazin, Brut Rose Grand Cru Champagne, France.
The maison Henriet-Bazin is an old Champagne house having started back in 1890, but is very new to the grower producer seen and are way under the radar, producing some very fine Grand Cru cuvees that are crafted using Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, with their Grand Cru Brut Rose being a stand out. Importer Charles Neal, after tasting through their lineup asked if they could bottle a special version with a lower dosage (7 grams) ad the results are stunning and a great value in top fizz! This ultra tasty Rose is a blend of 50% Chardonnay and 50% Pinot Noir, with all grapes coming from Verzy and Verzenay with lots of chalky/gravel soil, as well as the addition of their still wine, which the family vinifies making up 20% of the final blend, of which was based 70% on 2012 vintage, with the rest being a reserve solera of wines from 1968 to 2009. This rich, vibrant and elegant Brut Rose shows lots of vitality, brioche yeastiness, mineral tones and delicate fruity layers with rose petal, tiny strawberry, apple and appleskin, tart cherry and citrus along with a decedent mousse and serious mouth feel, this is luxurious and rich Champagne that will impress, it lingers with leesy opulence that makes it very seductive. A classy wine from Henriet-Bazin, this and their other two export wines a vintage 2008 and an all Pinot Noir Blanc de Noirs aged 4 years sur lie are lovely as well, very intriguing bubbly all round and a producer to follow.
($45 Est.) 93+ Points, grapelive
