La Grande Dame Rose 2006

The basic blend is comprised of 60% Pinot Noir from the Grands Crus of Aÿ, in the Grande Vallée de la Marne, and Verzenay, Verzy, Ambonnay and Bouzy, in Montagne de Reims. Chardonnay is 40% of the blend, and comes exclusively from three Grands Crus: Avize, Oger and Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, in the Côte des Blancs. La Grande Dame Rosé 2006 is obtained by adding 15% red wine produced entirely from Pinot Noir from the commune of Bouzy. All of the grapes come from Clos Colin, one of our very best vineyards, right in the heart of this Grand Cru.

The winter was particularly cold and long. The spring was mixed, but with good conditions for budding. The flowers opened in late June, in what was unseasonally hot weather. The summer was chaotic, with an August worthy of late autumn. Fortunately, the vines were able to draw on their reserves, to produce an abundant yield of superb quality. Therefore, between 14 and 29 September, we harvested a very fine crop of grapes. At the very end of picking, Botrytis struck, though it had no impact on the quality of the harvest. An effective sorting operation was carried out. The Pinot Noir wines are fruity and full-bodied; the Chardonnay wines are of considerable distinction. The red wines of Clos Colin in Bouzy offer a superb balance, with a rich, crisp freshiness.

Intense colour with copper glints. Very small, sparkling bubbles. The initial nose reveals a saline, mineral background, then notes of red fruits (Morello cherry, wild strawberry, redcurrant) and some more toasted notes of hazelnut, cocoa bean and sweet spices. When agitated, these empyreumatic characteristics are accentuated, while the aromatic complexity of the great Pinot Noirs is ever-present. In the mouth, it is plump and full of substance. The texture is crisp and silky. The tannins are still present, calling for a cuisine with texture to bring out the best in this wine. The finish is long and coats the palate. The tannins are already very well integrated and can be expected to blend in still further over the coming years.