Description

Alexandre Bonnet NV Extra-Brut Rosé Les Riceys
100% Pinot Noir | Alc: 12.5%
Champagne, Les Riceys, France

Winemaker’s Notes:
Alexandre Bonnet Extra-Brut Rosé Les Riceys; The first vines of Domaine Alexandre Bonnet were planted in 1934 by Lucien Noble, who shared his enthusiasm with the next generations until the 1970 when Serge Bonnet, assisted by his sons Alain and Rene created the Domaine. They continued acquiring vineyards, planting vines and making wines to get to what we have today: more than 47ha of vines, all HVE3 certified, taking cared by a passionate and capable team. The vineyards are separated in more than 20 contrees (plots) each vinified separately and blended if needed. Cote des Bar is the kingdom of Pinot Noir, and Les Riceys its best expression. While a large portion of our vineyard is planted with Pinot Noir we are one of the very few producers growing all 7 grapes of Champagne, blending tradition and innovation. Domaine Alexandre Bonnet strives to preserve and develop this biodiversity by choosing not to use herbicides or insecticides, by planting orchards at the edges of its vines and by leaving wild flowers to grow for honey bees.
In the vineyard
Terroir: A variety of limestone and marls from the Kimmeridgian Jurassic era;
cool and sunny semi-continental climate of southern Champagne, moderate
altitude of 250 m.
Grape varieties: Clonal and mass selections of Pinots Noir vines from
Champagne, Burgundy and the estate itself, Guyot and cordon de Royat
pruning techniques, with yields 20% lower than average in Champagne.
Average age of the vines: 30 years.
Viticulture: Agroecological practices: precision viticulture, broad-spectrum
protection, soil tilling, grassing or sowing in the inter-row, organic composts,
no weedkillers, no insecticides, HVE and VDC certifications since 2015.
Environment: Development of biodiversity by planting orchards, truffle oaks
and honey plants, and by mowing grassy areas late in the year to respect
pollination times, restoration of local heritage structures (small stone huts
known as cadoles).
In the cellar
Harvest: Manual only, gradual, depending on grape ripeness.
Sorting is carried out in the vineyard. The grapes are brought to the winery
immediately, in perforated boxes.
Vinification: White wine: slow pneumatic pressing, elimination of the “taille”
must, static settling, slight sulphiting, addition of basic yeasts, natural
malolactic fermentation, light filtration after cold stabilisation. Red wine:
manual bunch sorting, complete destemming, vatting using gravity, gentle
maceration under a submerged cap, 6 days of maturation in tanks.
Ageing: At least 24 months on lees, disgorging with low dosage at 6 g/l
to preserve the purity of the wine.
Wine
Appearance: Clear, intense pink.
Nose: Expressive and complex with red berries: wild strawberries, raspberries,
blackcurrants, redcurrants and spices such as Sichuan pepper.
Palate: Full, delicious, very fruity, lively and structured with silky tannins.
Long and refreshing finish.
Pour this wine within 3 years to enjoy its youthful qualities or wait
up to 10 years for a more complex experience.
Service: Pour at 8-10°C and leave it to breathe for 5 minutes in the glass.
Enjoy it throughout a buffet dinner, or with a rhubarb and asparagus salad,
a tomato tart or anchovies from Collioure.

Eco-design packaging:
• Arbane champagne bottle
• Natural cork closure
• Recyclable aluminium foil wrapping, organically sourced laminate
• Water-saving cotton label
• FSC sustainable case of which 90% recycled

Critical Acclaim:
“Les Riceys is famed for its still, rosé wine. This rosé is in the same tradition, with its textured red fruits and tight acidity. This bright bottling is young, full of energy and should be kept for a year.” – Wine Enthusiast

James Suckling – 92 pts
Vins et Gastronomie – 93 pts
Decanter – 90 pts

Winery

Tipsy Knitter Wines – Your Seattle based, online wine shop