The village of Vertus is unusual in the Côte des Blancs for playing host to a historical plantation of Pinot Noir. Here it is assembled with a little Pinot Gris by Côte des Blancs stalwarts Pierre and Sophie Larmandier into a striking, deep-cherry rosé de saignée (made by macerating the Pinot Noir skins in the juice at press). Absolutely bursting with strawberry and floral tones yet still manages to retain a linear, focused energy and supple texture that’s quite unusual for the style. A Côte des Blancs original.

Pure 2021, though it's not labeled, the NV Champagne Premier Cru Rose de Saignée Extra Brut offers the purity of framboise and is so on point, with a zesty freshness. It's a delightful rosé, especially if they can maintain the freshness. Offering notes of roses, raspberries, and fresh almond, this is a step above others I have had. Dosage is only 2 grams per liter.

93+ Based on the 2020 vintage, the Rosé de Saignée is a Pinot Noir rosé fermented in enamel-lined stainless steel after a two-to-three-day maceration on skins to extract color, aged 36-48 months on fine lees, hand disgorged and finished with a three gram per liter dosage, then kept an additional 6 months prior to release. Wonderfully spicy and savory with aromas of mixed berry fruit leather, red apple, crushed oyster shell and hints of flower honey, the medium to full-bodied palate has a supple, creamy mousse radiating red fruit intensity and buoyant acidity that finishes with a red apple peel tannic grip on the finish. Excellent rosé to enjoy with a meal, or on its own. 900 cases were produced.

The NV (2021) Rosé de Saignée is laced with cranberry, orange peel, cinnamon and dried flowers. It's a gorgeous, seductive Rosé, a Champagne that deftly marries the textural richness that was once such a focus in this bottling with the greater sense of vibrancy that informs today's wines. Clean mineral accents shape the deceptively understated finish. The blend is 90% Pinot Noir and 10% Pinot Gris, an unusual combination that works quite well here. Dosage is 2 grams per liter. Disgorged: March 2024; multiple disgorgements throughout the year.

Revisiting Larmandier’s NV Extra-Brut Rosé de Saignée, derived entirely from the 2020 vintage and disgorged in February 2023 with two grams per liter of dosage, this is one of the sunnier, more saturated renditions of the cuvée, informed by a three-day maceration. Vinified largely in tank, with roughly one-quarter in large wooden vats, it offers up aromas of cranberry and redcurrant, mingled with spices and ripe plum. On the palate, it is medium- to full-bodied, deep and muscular, with a charming core of fruit and a phenolic grip that frames the finish. The blend comprises 90% Pinot Noir and 10% Pinot Gris.