N.V. Bollinger Champagne Rosé Brut – France, Champagne (10/8/2008)
The colour is quite red, considering this first release of Bollinger’s N.V. Rosé contains only about 5,5% red wine, where the normal amount for most Champagnes is 10 to 20%. It resembles the Special Cuvée with its toast and slightly oxidative style, but this has ripe red berry fruit in stead of ripe yellow fruit, a slight sweetness on the palate (but it is still rather dry) and a very slight bitterness at the end. The acidity is just right and the mousse not to overbearing. Clearly a wine to enjoy with food and not to be drunk too cold, or it won’t show its full character. The 90 points are probably on the conservative style, as this gained considerable weight in the glass. Could stand some bottle age, or should be decanted just before consumption. Assembly of 62% Pinot Noir (5,5% of which is red wine), 24% Chardonnay and 14% Pinot Meunier. Dosage is 10%, alcohol 12,5% vol and total acidity 4,1 g/l. In fact, this is about the same as the Special Cuvée, but with 5 à 6% red wine added to the mix and a slightly higher dosage. (90 pts.)