Champagne Franck Bonville, Rose Grand Cru

It’s actually quite unusual for me to like a house’s Rosé as much as their regular Brut or Blanc de Blancs, but Bonville’s pink is a beauty. A blend of 2020-2021 vintages with 5 g/l dosage, it’s a blend of 90% Chardonnay and 10% Pinot Noir from Avize, Oger and Verzenay, this bottle disgorged in June 2023, and a striking, dry style of Rosé Champagne. A tinge of orange to the peachy colour leads on to streaming small bubbles and aromas of orange and redcurrant, some truffle and biscuit in the background. In the mouth a cushion of mousse supports bold, dry Seville orange and raspberry, a hint of sothing smoky and mineral, into an exquisite, long, dry finish. Excellent.