Champagne Barons de Rothschild Blanc de Blancs
-
James
Suckling -
Robert
Parker
Product Details
Your Rating
Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
Champagne Barons de Rothschild Blanc de Blancs is distinguished by its crystalline pale yellow robe which brings to light the fine frothiness and persistent strands of delicate bubbles. The Chardonnay is extremely distinctive in this cuvée with intense aromas of rare purity. Dominant notes of citrus mingle with aromatic hints of fresh almond and dried fruits. Very precise and clear attack followed by silky freshness upheld by notes of citrus and white fruit. Creamy sensation of finely chiseled bubbles combines with persistent, distinguished mineral sweetness.
Professional Ratings
-
James Suckling
Very subtle nose of lemon blossom, Amalfi lemon and white flowers with a pronounced yeasty note of freshly baked brioche. Sleek and elegant with racy mineral acidity and just enough dosage to balance this and the fine mousse. Long, very clean finish. 100% from the Cotes des Blancs with the emphasis on Avize, Le Mesnil, and Oger plus their own vineyards at Vertus. 40% of reserve wine from a perpetual solera. Just 5.5 g/l dosage. Drink now.
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
With a dosage of six grams per liter, the NV Blanc de Blancs from Barons de Rothschild offers up a delicate, citrusy bouquet with aromas of spices, lemon oil, herbs, pastry and spring flowers. Medium-bodied, enveloping and round, it has a charming, perfumed core of fruit with an ethereal, saline and penetrating finish.
The Rothschild family has once again brought together all the arrows on its coat of arms to produce Barons de Rothschild Champagne. The most famous of appellations joins one of the most prestigious signatures in winemaking. The result is both outstanding and rare.
The name Rothschild is a guaranty of excellence in more than one field, starting with that of wine. Associated with some of the most prestigious wines in France and in the world, the three branches of the Rothschild family allied to associate know-how and innovation. Champagne Barons de Rothschild, a Champagne born from an original alliance, appears such as an illustrious reference, bringing to the Champagne an exceptional product. Nowadays, Baron Philippe Sereys de Rothschild (Château Mouton), Baron Eric and his daughter Saskia (Château Lafite), Baron Benjamin and his wife Ariane (Château Clarke - Edmond de Rothschild Group) are joining their talents, in accordance with their motto: Concordia - Integritas - Industria, to produce a Champagne worthy of their name.
A term typically reserved for Champagne and Sparkling Wines, non-vintage or simply “NV” on a label indicates a blend of finished wines from different vintages (years of harvest). To make non-vintage Champagne, typically the current year’s harvest (in other words, the current vintage) forms the base of the blend. Finished wines from previous years, called “vins de reserve” are blended in at approximately 10-50% of the total volume in order to achieve the flavor, complexity, body and acidity for the desired house style. A tiny proportion of Champagnes are made from a single vintage.
There are also some very large production still wines that may not claim one particular vintage. This would be at the discretion of the winemaker’s goals for character of the final wine.
Associated with luxury, celebration, and romance, the region, Champagne, is home to the world’s most prized sparkling wine. In order to bear the label, ‘Champagne’, a sparkling wine must originate from this northeastern region of France—called Champagne—and adhere to strict quality standards. Made up of the three towns Reims, Épernay, and Aÿ, it was here that the traditional method of sparkling wine production was both invented and perfected, birthing a winemaking technique as well as a flavor profile that is now emulated worldwide.
Well-drained, limestone and chalky soil defines much of the region, which lend a mineral component to its wines. Champagne’s cold, continental climate promotes ample acidity in its grapes but weather differences from year to year can create significant variation between vintages. While vintage Champagnes are produced in exceptional years, non-vintage cuvées are produced annually from a blend of several years in order to produce Champagnes that maintain a consistent house style.
With nearly negligible exceptions, . These can be blended together or bottled as individual varietal Champagnes, depending on the final style of wine desired. Chardonnay, the only white variety, contributes freshness, elegance, lively acidity and notes of citrus, orchard fruit and white flowers. Pinot Noir and its relative Pinot Meunier, provide the backbone to many blends, adding structure, body and supple red fruit flavors. Wines with a large proportion of Pinot Meunier will be ready to drink earlier, while Pinot Noir contributes to longevity. Whether it is white or rosé, most Champagne is made from a blend of red and white grapes—and uniquely, rosé is often produce by blending together red and white wine. A Champagne made exclusively from Chardonnay will be labeled as ‘blanc de blancs,’ while ones comprised of only red grapes are called ‘blanc de noirs.’