Larmandier Bernier Rosé de Saignée 1er Cru Extra Brut SA

Robert Parker Wine Advocate "Larmandier-Bernier’s NV Extra Brut Rose De Saignee displays vivid and juicy cherry and red raspberry fruit shadowed by their ethereal distilled counterparts, with subtle chew of skin and crunch of seeds serving for invigoration, while a streak of salinity activates the salivary glands. Notes of leather and chalk help complete the impression of cepage and terroir, and a silken-textured, expansive palate impression manages not to preclude some sense of buoyancy as well as ample refreshment to the sustained finish. Nor is the virtual absence (at just three grams) of residual sugar in any way experienced as loss. “We want this wine to exhibit fruit and vinosity, yet retain a certain elegance,” states Sophie Larmandier, and that is precisely what the team here has accomplished. I would plan on enjoying it over the coming year. Rose, incidentally, is not rendered here every year. That depends on the total size of Vertus Pinot crop available and on whether or not is thought to merit a still red vinification."