DevauxCuveeDRoseNVMagnum

Founded in 1846 by the brothers Jules and Auguste Devaux, today Devaux is owned by the Union Auboise, a co-operative in the Côte des Bar â€?the heartland of Pinot Noir in Champagne. Physically closer to Chablis than Reims or Épernay, the vines grow on Burgundian soils of Kimmeridgian marl and Portlandian limestone. Chef de Cave since 1999, Michel Parisot was named the ‘Sparkling Winemaker of the Yearâ€?at the 2020 International Wine Challenge â€?an achievement that is testament to Michel’s pioneering approach to winemaking.rrVineyards: The Cuvee ‘Dâ€?wines are Devaux’s best wines; the grapes are the very best quality of Champagne, and so the growers are paid accordingly. Devaux are Rosé specialists. The majority of their vineyards are located in the Aube where Pinot Noir is the dominant variety. This location, on the slopes of the Côte des Bars, is important; it gives a lovely richness on the nose and a long finish. Uniquely, almost half of this blend is Chardonnay, giving a delicacy not usually found in most Rosés. The high quality of the fruit from these vineyards ensure that the final dosage is lower than many Rosés.rrVinification: The fermentation and malolactic fermentation are in stainless steel. This Rosé is made traditionally, by the addition of Pinot Noir still wine (which forms 11% of the total). The liqueur de tirage is added and the wine undergoes a slow second fermentation in bottle and extended ageing on its lees for five years (the legal minimum is 15 months). This results in a wine with a finer, more persistent mousse and greater potential for complexity. After disgorgement, the wine receives a light Brut dosage of 6g/l.rrWeather: The 2009 vintage was a continental, sunny year with a real winter that was very cold and dry followed by a glorious sun-filled summer and almost no rain in August and September. The harvest was incomparable in terms of quality and produced consistent, fresh and crunchy grapes.rrTechnical Information:rVineyards: 100% Grand & Premier Cru | Chardonnay: Montgueux and Chouilly | Pinot Noir: Cotes des Bar and Vertus (10% vinified in red wine, grapes sourced from Les Riceys)rGrape Varieties: 47% Chardonnay | 53% Pinot Noir rWinemaker: Michel ParisotrRed Wine: 10%rBase Vintage: 2009rDisgorged: April 2019rLees Ageing: 9 years rDosage: 6 g/lrDrink now: to 5 yearsrrTasting Note: This is the most delicate of the Devaux Rosé Champagnes with the greater percentage of Chardonnay contributing a firm, elegant freshness to the palate. Fresh red fruit aromas from the Pinot Noir combine with a hint of hazelnut complexity which was encouraged by extended ageing on the lees when in bottle.