Tarlant Zero Rose Brut Nature Champagne

Winemaker Notes: Grapes from organically farmed, hand-harvested estate vines across 63 parcels in 4 villages near Oeuilly in the Vallée de la Marne. The main focus of Benoît Tarlant's approach the rosé is making the perfect Pinot Noir, which makes up nearly half of the wine and is the starting point of the wine (as opposed to adding a bit of red later to a white base). Judging the appropriate levels of color, tannin and red-fruit flavors is a crucial challenge, given its high proportion in the final blend and its long aging. Blend: 50% Chardonnay, 44% Pinot Noir, 6% Pinot Meunier.

CRITICAL ACCLAIM


James Suckling - "Plenty of dried-cherry and cranberry character here, but also candied lemon and angelica. Pretty powerful and highly structured, this is light-years removed from the world of pretty, light rosés. Bold and very mineral finish that’s as austere as it is exciting."


Jeb Dunnuck - "With mostly 2016 as its base (25% from 2015) and made from 50% Chardonnay, 44% Pinot Noir, and the rest Meunier, the NV Champagne Zero Brut Nature Rosé pours a bright pale pink hue and opens to an expressive and fruity profile in its aromatics of cherry blossom, wild strawberry, and tangerine. The palate has a fine mousse, with a savory and citrus-toned palate, a chalky texture, and a clean finish."


Wine Spectator - "This crackles with laserlike acidity embedded in the expressive profile, which layers an aromatic overtone of ground cardamom, graphite and lime blossom with flavors of wild cherry, toast and pink grapefruit zest. Refined, though still lip-smacking, on the finish."