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Wine Description
The Story
More than any other, Rosé Champagne is a wine of great emotion: by virtue of its unique blend, and its distinctive colour, which seems to encapsulate joy itself. We are captivated by its immediate charm before delving into its hidden depths.
Laurent Fresnet refers to it as a principle rather than a provocation. ‘‘For Henriot, the colour is not important in the creation of rosé
wine, while well-balanced organoleptic structure is essential.’’ While red wine accounts for less than 10% of the blend, it is nevertheless essential; it takes exceptionally ripe pinot noir grapes to express the essence and exquisite succulence of the fruit. It is the
role of this red wine to reveal this red and black berry fruit dimension.
Wine Information
Blend: 45% Chardonnay & 55% Pinot Noir (100% Premier and Grand Cru wines)
Ageing: min. 5 years on the lees
Dosage: < 8g/l
2012 combines low yields, mainly due to frequent and devastating frost, with exceptionally high quality. Ripeness and acidity are perfectly balanced soul mates. It is rare to witness such an intimite bond between the distinctive stamp of a harvest year and the expression of a certain style.
The senses
The Rosé Vintage 2012 presents shades of coral, is vivid rather than pale, and is both elegant and intensely fl avoured. The colour makes its vibrant, potent presence felt, only disturbed by the bright refl ections in the glass. A gossamer string of bubbles takes form and reveals its delicate foaming mousse. On the nose, delicate fruit-laden notes underscore a fresh, striking minerally streak. On the palate, the texture comes through in the piercing aromas and mellow softness of wild and gariguette strawberries. The rich ripeness of the fruit is joyously on point, presenting a vast spectrum of aromas and bracing freshness, underpinned by perfectly balanced complex structure. The flavours are consistent and linger on the palate as they whet the appetite, accompanied by a creamy edge so typical of the Henriot style. The aromas show all the potential to transform over time, and err towards slightly tropical notes of orange at the end of the palate. In years to come, more delicately toasted notes will come to the fore, as the mineral character and vivid ripeness temper over time.
The pleasure is palpable, full-flavoured and bursting with light. Perfect for those impromptu pre-meal moments, to accompany the last embers of sunlight in its coral reflections. The ultimate Champagne to stimulate both mind and palate before a meal, it would also make a welcome guest at the most joyous tables, to accompany rare veal medallions or simply poached turbot.
Vintage 2012
The next most exceptional vintage since 2008. A truly difficult growing season saw severe frosts in the winter. March brought warmth but early budbreak made the vines vulnerable to spring frosts. Overall, the early growing season was wet, and mildew became a serious issue. However, conditions improved dramatically in the later summer months. An August heatwave resulted in a rapid accumulation of sugar, but fortunately the nights remained cool, which helped to preserve acidity. Although yields were low (averaging at 9,210 kg/ha) due to frost, hail and disease early in the season, the 2012 harvest was exemplary in its maturity, acidity and grape health. A rare high acid, high sugar September harvest with impeccable concentration of flavour and refreshing vibrancy. Pinot Noir is the superstar of the vintage, though Pinot Meunier excelled too. A vintage that promises great longevity for the finest cuvées, it was widely declared by producers. However, Krug decided to invest in its reserve wines on this great year, and no Vintage was produced. The quality of 2012 is universally high, with the greatest releases so far including Louis Roederer Cristal and Cristal Rosé, Bollinger La Grande Année and La Grande Année Rosé, as well as Perrier-Jouët Belle Epoque Rosé.
