Pale, clear pink; no doubting the Pinot influence, both from added pinot wine and from base components, yet exceptionally delicate and fresh; truly lovely rose. Cork. 12.5% Alc $39. Drink to 2009 Rating: 95 Points; James Halliday Wine Companion 2009
A fine, dry and savoury rosé with a delightful colour and creamy, slightly meaty and savoury expression of vibrant raspberry and cherry fruit. It’s long and lightly chalky, with a creamy, crackly effervescence and a fine length of fruit that finishes crisp and tangy, with lively and refreshing acidity. Elegant and finely crafted. (Strathbogies, Yarra Valley, King Valley, Coonawarra, Buffalo Valley, Tasmania, $40 retail, approx., 93, drink 2006-2009+) Jeremy Oliver
For the last year or so I have been recommending Green Point (Chandon) to friends who want to serve fizz without paying a champagne price. I’ll certainly continue to do so..." Jancis Robinson MW
The 2004 Vintage Brut Rose is part of the main Chandon range of wines. The grapes for this wine were sourced from a range of cool climate sites, including the Yarra Valley, Strathbogie, King Valley, Mansfield and Coonawarra. The traditional sparkling wine varieties Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier were gently whole berry pressed in individual parcels. The juice was then cold settled in stainless steel tanks for fermentation. Following primary fermentation selected base wines were inoculated for malolactic fermentation to add greater complexity and balance to the individual base wines and the final blend. When fermentation was complete the winemaking team spent several weeks assessing the individual cuvées and carefully assembling the final blend.
This Vintage Brut Rosé is comprised of 57% Chardonnay, 33% Pinot Noir and 10% Pinot Meunier made up of 25 different cuvées. The blend includes a small percentage (6-8%) of a specially selected Pinot Noir base wine fermented on skins to provide the distinct colour and additional complexity of the Brut Rosé style. The final blend matured on lees for 2 1/2 years before it was finished and bottled in July 2007. Medium salmon in colour with a fine persistent bead. The nose has medium cashew notes with ripe strawberry, raspberry and slight pineapple notes. The palate is deliciously flavoursome with the yeast notes come through to aid complexity, as does a good measure of acid balance. The mouthfeel broadens nicely across the mid-palate before a lingering finish with nutty yeast aftertaste. The wine improved after being opened for a while, so don’t be scared to give it some air. A delicious wine now, and experience shows that it will also develop nicely in the bottle. You have to admire Domaine Chandon, they do things with style. Alcohol: 12.5%; Price: $39; Seal: Diam; Drink 2007-2014; Quality 93/100 (Excellent); Murray Almond, Vinosense
