Dom Pérignon Rosé and the style of the house Dom Pérignon Rosé is produced only in select vintages and occupies a distinct category within the house. It's a Champagne that combines the power of Pinot Noir with the finesse of Chardonnay, and its distinctive style often reveals a different expression than white Dom Pérignon. The house uses long aging on lees and chooses a high proportion of still red wine in its rosé, which contributes to its color, structure, and aromatic depth. The house's vision focuses on tension, precision, and layering. Rosé is a means to achieve a broader, more complex expression. The 2009 vintage fits perfectly within this approach. It's a warm, ripe vintage that, in the rosé, expresses itself in a full, rich, and almost opulent style. The vineyards and origin of the grapes This rosé uses grapes from some of the finest villages in the Montagne de Reims and the Marne. The still red wine used in the blend comes from vineyards in Hautvillers, Aÿ, and Bouzy. These villages are known for Pinot Noir with powerful aromas, ripe tannins, and a pronounced red fruit character. The Chardonnay comes from cooler, chalky plots, which bring tension and refinement. The blend consists of 56 percent Pinot Noir and 44 percent Chardonnay. Approximately 15 percent of the total blend is still red wine. This gives the rosé its structure, depth, and ripe color. The 2009 harvest year, vinification and maturation The 2009 vintage was warm and sunny, with a humid spring followed by a dry summer. The grapes ripened fully while retaining sufficient freshness, resulting in Champagne with a soft, ripe texture and an expressive profile. Harvesting took place under excellent conditions. The wine matured for thirteen years on the lees, a long period during which the mousse could refine and the structure further deepen. Disgorgement took place in March 2022, and a dosage of five grams per liter was added. This ensures the wine remains recognizably dry and elegant, yet with sufficient roundness to support its rich style. The cellar master described this vintage as generous and soft. This is in keeping with the character of the year, where ripe fruit and warm aromas play a central role. The wine is already approachable upon release, yet has sufficient structure for further aging. According to the reviews, it can develop well beyond 2040. Color, aroma and taste of the 2009 Dom Pérignon Rosé The color is deep salmon pink with a warm, almost coppery glow. The nose opens broadly, with aromas of ripe cherries, dark berries, and warm notes of dried white flowers. With a little more air, nuances of blood orange, dried herbs, and light toast appear, followed by sweeter notes of pastry and delicate spices. Subtle smoky notes and a hint of licorice add depth, entirely in line with the impressions from the reviews, which describe the wine as rich, ripe, and aromatically distinct. On the palate, the wine is full, soft, and rounded. Ripe red fruit notes are supported by a fine mousse and a lush texture. The structure is broad thanks to the presence of still Pinot Noir, which manifests itself in light tannins and a hint of spice. The warm vintage creates an almost velvety mouthfeel, while the fresh undertone of Chardonnay provides tension and balance. The palate reveals notes of kirsch, orange, mint, and dried flowers, aromas that develop over time. The finish is full and long-lasting, with a chalky texture and a juicy structure. The interplay of ripe red fruit, subtle smoke, and a salty minerality gives the wine depth and precision. While the wine already has considerable charm, its texture suggests that further bottle aging could add complexity. Reviews The Wine Advocate – 95 points (Yohan Castaing): Dark berries, licorice, dried flowers, toast, and a chalky, lingering finish. Ripe, rich, and powerful, with delicate smoky notes. Review – 98 points (Antonio Galloni): Kirsch, blood orange, mint, spices, and dried flowers. Rich, sensual, a