This champagne is famous for its highly expressive bouquet, which stems from the very careful preservation of the grape's natural fresh red fruit aromas. It is one of the rare rosé champagnes to be made using the maceration (skin contact) technique, which gives it the extraordinary depth and freshness that has made it the benchmark for rosé champagne arounf the world. Revered by wine-lovers for its flavours and by aesthetes for the beauty of its 17th century-style bottle, the Cuvée Rosé Brut is one of the stars in the Laurent-Perrier range. Laurent Champagne.

Deep orange-pink color, with a fine bead. Ripe cherry and redcurrant on the nose, with darker earth, tobacco and herb accents. Rich, full and deep, with a spike of acidity on the back giving lift and nerve to the sweet cherry and red berry flavors. Finishes firm, with good breadth as well as length to the sweet red fruit flavors. A serious style of rose, with the weight and depth to work with hearty foods, even red meats.Josh Raynolds, Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

With its bottle shape dating from the late 16th century, this is a traditionally made rosé, using color from macerating Pinot Noir grapes. It is full, ripe, flavored with strawberries and other sweet red fruits, with a layer of dryness. The wine finishes fresh and crisp. Wine Enthusiast

Copper pink in color, this is a red-fruited rosé. It’s firm with gentle grape-skin tannin that rounds it without astringency. A mineral back note and a hint of raw almond mark the end. A firm, clean line of flavor, this is ready to pour with crab. Wine and Spirits; December 2010

Moderate salmon hue with an active bead. Shy nose with whiffs of cherry and vanilla. Bright flavors of cherry pie, strawberry and creamy vanilla shine on the palate and offer a toasty appeal. Tart cherry fruit joined by tangy citrus elements in the finish. The Wine News—Winter 2010

Rose were for long regarded as the illegitimate offspring of Champagne, recipients of coarse, heavy pressings wines partially masked by high dosage levels. Today they are routinely priced above ‘normal’ NV (or vintage) blends and are carefully made. Whether they really merit the premium is irrelevant: the market has spoken. But Laurent-Perrier is a special case: this is 100% pinot noir, rather than a blend coloured by pinot noir red wine. The full salmon colour is an immediate indication of its provenance, the bouquet complex and alluring, leading directly into the cherry and strawberry flavours of the long, sustained palate; excellent finish and aftertaste. 95 points, $150; James Halliday Top 100