2008 Charles Heidsieck Brut Rose Champagne

CHARLES HEIDSIECK ROSÉ: PARTY LIKE CHAMPAGNE CHARLIE

The house of Charles Heidsieck Champagne may have said it best when describing Charles Heidsieck as "a personality who became a legend." Charles grew up around grapes and vineyards because his uncle had his own Champagne house and his father was a Champagne merchant. Never one to just take the easy route, Charles decided to follow his ambitious dreams and found his own Champagne house in 1851. To promote his wines he traveled to the New World, and first came to America in 1852. He became famous as he traveled across the country introducing Americans to Champagne, and he easily integrated into New York City€™s wealthy inner circles. Word of his amazing wines quickly spread, and he became known as "Champagne Charlie" both for his affable personality and for bringing the party wherever he went.

Today the house produces a number of cuvées, but the vintage dated rosé is one of their best. The 2008 vintage is a blend of 63% Pinot Noir (with 9% of that being still red wine) and 37% Chardonnay sourced from a mix of 11 Grand Cru and Premier Cru parcels. This particular vintage has a lower dosage than previous iterations, giving it more tension and precision than the richer 2005 vintage. The wine is aged for 10 years on the lees to ensure it is deeply complex and to provide some roundness to the palate. Rather than fruity and fun, this is a serious rosé. Expect some light tannin from the addition of red wine, as well as elegant notes of black tea, rose petal, blood orange, toast, and red currant. This is a Champagne that can truly stand up to hefty entrées like a perfectly grilled ribeye. - KR