There are few pleasures in life better than Rose Champagne, and there a few, if any, better experiences than ‘Billy’ Rose. A blend of 50% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir and 10% Pinot Meunier, the colour lives up to the name and is a bright salmon colour. Whilst not being the major composition in the blend, the Pinot tends to dominate a strawberry driven palate ahead of a long, long, lingering, did I mention long, finish. A fraction of the price of the top end flagship Champagnes, to me this is it!
This is by far my favourite rose, so fresh and mouth-watering. It is made without the addition of red wine (as are most); instead it is a blend of 35 per cent pinot noir, 35 per cent pinot meunier and 30 per cent chardonnay, cold-fermented in stainless steel with cultured yeasts. The intensely flowery bouquet is followed by a palate crammed with strawberry and dried flower flavours, then a joyous finish. – 96 out of 100 James Halliday