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LAURENT PONSOT 1er Cru En Ergot Cuvée du Mélèze , Gevrey-Chambertin

The House of Ruinart stands in a league of its own, defying convention and captivating with its unique legacy. Founded in 1729, it holds the distinction of being the very first Champagne House, a visionary endeavour inspired by the foresight of a monk who possessed a remarkable intuition far beyond his era. In the heart of the Champagne region, specifically in Reims, a significant moment unfolded on September 1st, 1729. It was then that Nicolas Ruinart, driven by the profound influence of his visionary monk uncle, drafted the historic charter that marked the birth of Maison Ruinart, forever etching its name as the world's pioneer in champagne production. Little did they know that this bold initiative would pave the way for an enduring enterprise that thrives and prospers even after nearly three centuries, leaving an indelible mark on the course of history. During the remarkable period of the mid-18th century, Ruinart made a significant acquisition to enhance its champagne production. The House secured ownership of ancient crayères, subterranean chalk quarries meticulously carved beneath the historic city of Reims. These extraordinary caverns served as the ideal sanctuary for storing their precious bottles, ensuring optimal aging and maturation. Building upon its reputation for innovation, Ruinart continued to push boundaries. In 1764, the House achieved yet another milestone by successfully shipping the first-ever Rosé champagne across the vast expanse of Europe. This ground-breaking achievement introduced a new dimension to the world of champagne, captivating connoisseurs with its captivating hues and captivating flavors. Bestowed with nobility and adopting the esteemed name Ruinart de Brimont in 1817, the family has diligently guided the House for over two centuries. With each passing generation, a new Head of House emerges, bringing forth their unique talents and unwavering commitment to serve the lineage of Ruinart. This steadfast succession ensures the preservation of the family's legacy, as each successor devotes themselves to upholding the traditions and values that define Ruinart. Their collective efforts have propelled the House to unparalleled heights, solidifying its reputation as a bastion of excellence in the world of champagne. The rosé prestige cuvée of Champagne Ruinart, Dom Ruinart Rosé is a Grand Cru only blend of Dom Ruinart Chardonnay topped off with 15% red wine from the Montagne de Reims. Since the first vintage in 1966, this cuvée is consistently ranked amongst the greatest rosés on the market. The Pinot Noir red wine is sourced from the Grand Cru villages of Sillery and Verzenay and macerated on the skins for nine days before pressing, extracting the pink colour and soft fruit tannins. Blending this red wine into the assemblage gives a rosé with a vibrant, deep coral colour. Dom Ruinart Rosé 2009 is composed of 85% Grand Cru chardonnays, predominantly from the Côte des Blancs (Cramant, Avize, Chouilly, and Mesnil-sur-Oger), the Montagne de Reims (Sillery), and 15% Aÿ Grand Cru pinot noirs. In 2009, hail, rain, and wind disrupted the flowering process but were soon replaced by a dry summer. These summer conditions allowed for the perfect maturation of the grapes until the mid-September harvest. The average sunshine, combined with cool temperatures, enhanced the fruit's aroma while preserving the right acidity sought after by the Maison. Dom Ruinart Rosé 2009 reveals a delicate pink colour with raspberry highlights. The first nose reveal spicy notes of cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger, which mingle with refreshing citrus aromas such as blood orange and kumquat. Second impressions are more floral, unveiling violet and peony complemented by fresh, iodised oyster shell notes. The attack is enveloping and silky with notes of tangy red fruits such as pomegranate and redcurrant. The mid-palate is smooth and saline. Firm and intense, the finish is supported by a delicate bitterness and a fine effervescence. Drink now to 2032+

In 1974, 100 years after the creation of Cristal, Jean-Claude Rouzaud decided to create the Cristal Rosé cuvée. To achieve this, he selected old-vine Pinot noir grapes from the finest Grand Cru vineyards at Aÿ, which are now cultivated according to biodynamic principles. The unique calcareous clay soil, which gives the grapes an exquisite minerality, enables the vines (in the best years) to attain exceptional fruit maturity, complemented by a crystalline acidity. A blend of around 55% Pinot noir and 45% Chardonnay, comprising 20% of wine matured in oak tuns, Cristal Rosé is produced using the saignée process after cold maceration. The Cristal Rosé cuvée is aged, on average, for 6 years in Louis Roederer’s cellars. The attack reveals an aromatic intensity with a remarkable fullness and the smooth, sweet flavours of white flowers, red fruits, caramel, and Tarte Tatin. The full, round, and refined texture in the initial attack, which is characteristic of the Louis Roederer Champagne House, is complemented by a winey—though not full-bodied—structure and a remarkable freshness, giving an impression of great finesse and strengthening the wine’s precision.

The wine unfurls on the palate to reveal fruity notes, highlighted by a creaminess reminiscent of honey made from fir trees. Smoky accents of coffee beans and toast balance out the wine’s minerality.