Pierre Péters Brut Rosé For Albane

Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

Subtle suggestions of red currant and rhubarb; quinine, geranium and celery seed team up with more predictable apple, lemon and chalk on the nose and polished palate of Peters’ NV Brut Rose for Albane Disg. 3/2013, a 2010-based cuvee comprised of 60% ‘straight’ Le Mesnil Chardonnay and 40% co-fermented Chardonnay with Pinot Meunier from the Left Bank of the Marne. The theory and, avers Peters, his experience behind this approach is that fully fermented top-notch Cote des Blancs Chardonnay doesn’t really marry well with finished red wine, whether from Pinot or Meunier. Fresh red raspberry and apple wreathed in heliotrope and hibiscus dominate the nose and juicy, polished palate. Subtly bitter, tart, and pungently herbal elements lend invigoration, while salinity serves for saliva-inducement in a juicy and sustained finish whose seven grams of residual sugar are discreetly supportive and consistent with utmost clarity. There are numerous quite original variations on Champagne rose issuing from Cote des Blancs vignerons who themselves grow only (or almost exclusively) Chardonnay; but this is surely among the more intriguing and delicious. I wouldn’t hesitate to follow bottles for 2-3 years.

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