2007 Marguet Père et Fils Brut Rosé Champagne

This is one of my very favorite rose Champagnes that we stock. The high percentage of barrel fermentation gives it a richness on the palate that can't be duplicated in easy-to-use stainless vats and the high quality Chardonnay in the blend gives it a finish lasts forever. This is a natural to pair with a salmon mousse, and fit to serve at the most special of occasions.

We only have a little bit of this intriguing Rose, made from a base of Pinot Noir, fermented with skin contact, and Chardonnay, with a small amount of still Pinot Noir added before bottling, which serves to intensify color and flavor while adding richness, complexity and structure to the wine. If delicate and ethereal are considered "feminine" style descriptors, I'd say this is "masculine", offering a complex array of grounded rhubarb and currant aromas and flavors with clove and spice accents. But gender aside, this Champagne certainly knows itself: it has power, weight, richness and unveering focus, building in intensity clear on through the finish, which persists in cranberry and cassis flavors far longer than one expects. Impressive.