Philipponnat Champagne Rose Royal NV · Champagne, France
Producer Description
“Rosé” is the new name of the House’s Royale Réserve Rosé cuvée. This simple, clear choice is designed to convey the natural elegance and purity of expression of this Champagne. This name affirms the wine’s unique identity, combining finesse, freshness and authenticity.
For a long time part of the “Royale Réserve” trio alongside the Brut and the Non Dosé, Rosé is now fully distinct from it, embracing its singular character and asserting its special place within the range.
The Rosé cuvée strikes a refreshing balance between colour and fruit. This rosé Champagne is made from the same blend as the Réserve Perpétuelle cuvées. In addition, there is a small proportion of the most mature possible red Champagne wine from our very best vineyards. This wine is concentrated by saignée and gains in intensity without becoming overloaded with tannins or vegetal characteristics, instead developing aromas of red and black fruit.
Most of the Pinot Noir and the small proportion of the Chardonnay used to make Rosé come from Premiers and Grands Crus. Only the first presses are selected, guaranteeing finesse and concentration. The blend includes 53% reserve wines, matured in oak, which bring complexity and depth to the wine, while preserving the freshness essential to its balance.
The House
Apvril Le Philipponnat (the ‘Le’ was subsequently dropped during the French Revolution) was the earliest member of the family to settle in Champagne. Captain of a Swiss military unit from the canton of Fribourg, he joined the French military during the war between Francis I and Italy. He is known to have married Marie d’Ambonnay, through whom he owned vineyards in Mareuil and Ay. The House dates its establishment in the Champagne region from 1522. Apvril is mentioned as the owner of Ay on this date in the will of Dom Jean Royer, the last Regular Abbot of Hautvillers.
In 1696, Apvril’s descendants, who were often ‘Royal Mayors’ of Ay, registered the family coat of arms in the Armorial de France. Today, this same coat of arms adorns all the House’s bottles. The labels of Philipponnat, vineyard owners and wine merchants, were among the first to bear the signature of sparkling Champagnes as early as the mid-19th century. Later, in 1910, Auguste and Pierre Philipponnat gave the family business a broader and more modern scope by creating their own company and acquiring the Château de Mareuil cellars.
Over the course of its long history, the House of Philipponnat has developed twenty hectares of vineyards of Premiers and Grands Crus, ideally located in the heart of the Champagne region, while maintaining special relationships with their partner viticulturists, who entrust the House with their output. They supply grapes for a broad but very balanced range of Champagnes that are both rich and distinctive.
Bold and refined, the Rosé cuvée reveals a beautiful aromatic intensity. Its generous red fruit aromas are enhanced by a hint of spice. Thanks to the quality of its blend, Rosé offers excellent ageing potential, evolving nobly over the years. Produced in brut, this Champagne goes perfectly with characterful dishes and reveals all its liveliness when served chilled. Rosé is the ideal wine for summer evenings.
Expert Reviews
James Suckling, 92 Points — Good reserve and freshness to this Champagne, which shows peonies, rose petals, bread crumbs and cinnamon and spice. A vertical palate follows, where tangy acidity punctuates integrated and creamy bubbles and carries subtle stone fruit medium-long. Drink now.
The Wine Advocate, 91 Points — Based on the 2015 vintage with 40% reserve wines, the NV Brut Rosé Royale Réserve was disgorged in August 2019 with nine grams per liter dosage. Revealing a lovely bouquet of red apples, honeycomb, cherries, peach and beeswax, it’s medium to full-bodied, fleshy and gourmand, with a generous core of fruit, lively acids and a refined mousse.
The Wine Spectator, 90 Points — Dry and sharp, with a mix of berry and biscuit flavors accented with citrus and spice. Persistent from beginning to end, starting off with a fine mousse and finishing with a squeeze of lemon.
Details
- Bottle Size: 750ml
- Region: Champagne, France
- Grapes: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir
- Type: Sparkling
- Style: Brut
< Show Less
