Billiot Brut Rosé, Champagne H. Billiot Fils Non Vintage

The NV Brut Rose Grand Cru is a decidedly powerful, masculine rose that encapsulates the broad-shouldered style typical of Ambonnay. Red berries, flowers and spices come together on a big, richly-textured frame. The wine finishes with an intriguing combination of minerality and sweet, candied fruit. The Rose Grand Cru is similar in its composition to the house's Grand Cru Reserve, but here the vineyards are older and the selection is more stringent. Ideally, the wine should be opened 1-2 hours in advance. Billiot adds 6% still Pinot, in this release, equal parts 2005 and 2004. Disgorged: July 24, 2009. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2015.

The Billiot family farms a total of 5 hectares in Ambonnay, where Pinot Noir reigns supreme. These unfiltered, low-dosage, no-malo Champagnes are exceptionally pure and loaded with personality.