NV - Fleur de Miraval, Exclusivement Rose ER1

Based on the 2016 vintage, the NV Exclusivement Rosé 1 is the impressive debut release from Fleur de Miraval. Bursting with aromas of blood orange, white tea, raspberries, lemon, warm bread and biscuits, it's full-bodied, layered and fleshy, with a vinous profile and tangy acids, concluding with a mineral finish. It's a blend of some 25% rosé de saignée from Vertus, with the balance Chardonnay, the base vintage being complemented by around one-third reserve wines dating back to 2012 (which Péters created from bottles "remis en circle"), which are now stored in a wooden foudre.

The NV Fleur de Miraval Exclusivement Rosé 1 is the first release from a new Champagne house formed as a partnership between Rodolphe Péters, Marc Perrin and Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt that focuses just on Rosé Champagne. In developing Fleur de Miraval, Péters and Perrin observed that they were generally not happy with the way most Rosé Champagnes age, especially the Pinot components, so they set out to create a Champagne that essentially blends young Pinot with Chardonnay from both the base vintage and older vintages. The debut release of Fleur de Miraval is 75% Chardonnay and 25% Pinot Noir. Chardonnay components are equal parts base vintage 2016, a perpetual reserve that goes back to 2007 and bottled 2008 and 2009 Champagne purchased sur-lattes (already in bottle, but not disgorged). The Pinot Noir is from Vertus, just south of the Côte des Blancs, vinified as a saignée, and then added to a base of white wine. In tasting, Fleur di Miraval is bright, taut and focused. The cranberry, orange zest, chalk and floral notes sizzle with energy. Not surprisingly, one of the inspirations for Fleur de Miraval is Krug Rosé, and that influence is evident in its style, weight and flavor profile. Because of its recent disgorgement, Fleur di Miraval is extremely tight, but it opens nicely over several hours. This is an impressive debut. It will be interesting to see what future releases bring. Dosage is 4.5 grams per liter.

Back label says 'Exclusivement rosé 2'. 75% Chardonnay from a perpetual reserve started in 2007, 25% Pinot Noir from 2018. Disgorged April 2021. Dosage 4.5 g/l. Salmon pink. Strong yeastiness on the nose with a lot of floral character. Definite mature character really adds complexity and depth. Lengthy and balanced, with persistent bready character. (RH)