Ayala "Majeur" Brut Rosé Champagne

SKU #991632 93 points James Suckling

A very pretty rosé with dried-strawberry and apple aromas and flavors. Some spiced-pear and iron undertones. Cranberries, too. Full-bodied with precision and tightness. Focused and solid. Fine bubbles and length. Always an excellent rosé. Drink now. (8/2022)

92 points Wine & Spirits

A lovely fresh pinot noir, this is focused on the herbal, spicy imprint of the soil. Its red berry scents and pink peppercorn spice frame the earthiness, while nervous acidity brightens the flavors and carries them through a long finish. Serve it with thinly sliced magret de canard, seared rare. (12/2013)

91 points John Gilman

The Champagne Ayala “Rosé Majeur” non-vintage Brut was disgorged in March of 2021. It is a lovely salmon color and delivers an expressive bouquet of strawberries, blood orange, rhubarb, chalky soil tones, wheat toast and a smoky topnote. On the palate the wine is bright, snappy and full, with a lovely core and mineral drive, pinpoint bubbles, fine focus and a long, zesty, complex and well-balanced finish. Good juice that will age well because of its non-malo character and will be an even better drink with some bottle age. (7/2022)

91 points Int'l Wine Cellar

Bright orange-pink. Fresh strawberry and tangerine on the lively floral nose and in the mouth. Spicy and incisive, with sappy red fruit and rose pastille flavors underscored by juicy acidity and a subtle chalky nuance. A mineral element adds bite to the finish, which hangs on with strong tenacity and repeating floral character. Six percent of the Pinot Noir component in this blend is in the form of still Pinot Noir from vineyards in the Montagne de Reims. (JR) (1/2015)

90 points Burghound

Pretty and airy aromas of strawberry, raspberry, cherry and that lovely yeasty/toasty character good examples of bubbly often display. The delicious and nicely vibrant middle weight flavors culminate in a bitter pit fruit and refreshing finish that is not especially dry though it is certainly refreshing. (1/2022)

90 points Jeb Dunnuck

The NV Champagne Majeur Brut Rosé pours a nearly electric pink hue with aromas of strawberry, white peach, and bread dough. It is medium-bodied, although it is ripe on the mid-palate, with raspberry fruit, melon, and a light saline touch. It has a pretty and easy-drinking style to enjoy over the next 8-10 years. (AF) (11/2022)

K&L Notes

Audrey Frick writes for JebDunnuck.com "Founded in 1860, Ayala is based in Ay with the focus on Chardonnay. Caroline Latrive, who is originally from Reims, is the chef de cave, having assumed the role in 2011. She was previously at Champagne Bollinger, which purchased the house in 2005. All the wines are vinified in small stainless-steel tanks and go through malolactic fermentation, and they receive relatively low dosage levels ranging from zero to seven grams per liter. In 2018, they built an additional winery that increased the capacity by 3,300 hectoliters." (11/2022)