DomRuinartRose1988

The rosé prestige cuvée of Champagne Ruinart, Dom Ruinart Rosé, is a Grand Cru only blend of Dom Ruinart Chardonnay topped off with 15-20% red wine from the Montagne de Reims. Since the first vintage in 1966, this cuvée is consistently ranked amongst the greatest rosés on the market. The Pinot Noir red wine is sourced from the Grand Cru villages of Sillery and Verzenay and macerated on the skins for nine days before pressing, extracting the pink colour and soft fruit tannins. Blending this red wine into the assemblage gives a rosé with a vibrant, deep coral colour.rrWeather: 1988 weather conditions in Champagne have always been compared to the more favourable 1989, nonetheless, given now it has had added ageing this vintage is coming into its own. The spring was mild with little rain and frost; therefore bud burst was good. The early summer months were slightly dull, however August saw lots of sun. September is always the saviour for most Champagne harvests, but in 1988 there was plenty of rain. The grapes however fared well and this patience is now being rewarded.rrNews Article: Read the write-up of our Dom Ruinart Rosé Vertical Tasting with Chef de Cave Frédéric Panaïotis here.rrTechnical Information:rGrape Varieties: 80% Chardonnay, 20% Pinot NoirrDosage: 5.5 g/LrDrink: Now for 3-4 yearsrrTasting Note: Bold aromas of red currants and blackberries on the nose, a sweeter palate that is dense and opulent. The maturity of this rosé is evident and it shows with bundles of strawberries mixed with toasted brioche notes on the palate.The champagne is now drinking about at the peak of its maturity and likely at its peak for a few years; drink now.