YannAlexandreBlanchesTerresRose|BV18NV

Yann Alexandre is the eighth generation of his family to grow vines in the Petite Montagne de Reims, the third to make Champagne there. He and his wife, Severine, share a passion for horticulture that directly informs their viticulture. “We grow the vineyard like a garden,â€?Yann explains. This is a high bar for two farmers working 6.3 hectares spread over 30 plots in nine villages. But is also essential to their philosophy: “I always try to put forward the characteristics of each plot of land and to reach perfect grape maturity and health.â€?Vitality is achieved through intensive hand work and regenerative practices to which the Alexandres have been dedicated since 1999. Throughout the Petite Montagne, Meunier is the star grape, supported by Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, the grapes matched to soils of calcareous clay, white marls, stones, and flint. Yann declares his aim is “as natural a Champagne as possible,â€?made from vital grapes, with minimal added sulfites, up to seven years lees aging, hand riddling and disgorgement, and “no detail left to chance.â€?Certified HVE since 2015 (High Environment Value)rrThis rosé is a composition of Chardonnay from the lieu-dit Les Blanches Terres in Coulommes-la-Montagne and Pinot Noir from the lieu-dit Saint Lié in the village Villedommange. 94% of the final blend is Chardonnay which is primarily fermented in stainless steel where it is allowed to go through full malolactic conversion, while 15% is vinified in oak without malolactic. The wine is aged approximately 4 months in stainless and blended with 60% reserve wine and combined with 6% Pinot Noir as red wine. The wine then spends 20 months on lees before being disgorged. Pretty much a “Blanc de Blancs Rose!”rrWeather: The 2018 year started cold particularly February with some snowfall. By April the sunshine emerged leading to flowering at the end of May, some 10 days ahead of the 10 year average.Summer was hot and mostly dry with harvest starting on 20th August and lasted some 4 weeks.The lower night time temperatures during summer helped preserve the grapes natural acidity. In general all grapes performed well, with lots of forward fruit and most champagne will have ok acidity, not racy, not soft. Becoming a new benchmark for the Champagne region in terms of the heat, drought and sunshine levels!rrTechnical Information:rVineyards: Montagne de Reims 100% Premier Cru from two Single vineyards: Chardonnay Les Blanches Terres & Pinot Noir Saint Lié rGrape Varieties: Chardonnay 94% & 6% Pinot Noir as red winerFermentation: 15% barrel fermented and no malolactic fermentationrBase Vintage: 2018rLees Ageing: 2 yearsrDisgorged: 21st December 2020rDosage: 6 g/lrProduction: 4024 bottlesrDrink: Now to 2035+rrTasting Note: The aromatics leap out the glass with some very pretty fruits like redcurrant and dried raspberry, beautiful. In the mouth you see more with peach and apricot and just a hint of pineapple and blackcurrant with underlying spice.Good weight of fruit and finishes fresh and light. After several minutes in the glass you see the chalky and mineral character coming forward; the soils personality influencing what we taste. Tasted by Nick Feb 2021 and rated 17.5+/20