Grapes: Pinot Noir
Region: Les Riceys, Champagne, France
Vintage: 2019
Viticulture: Biodynamic
Soils: Kimmeridgian + Limestone
Yeasts: Native
Vinification: Short maceration, then fermented in steel vats
Aging: Aged for 30 months
Fining or Filtering: None
Notes from the Importer: Dechannes runs a petite domaine under biodynamic culture in Les Riceys, two hamlets (Ricey-Bas and Ricey-Haut) that share a small appellation in the south of Champagne known for its rosé, Rosé des Riceys, just an hour drive northeast of Chablis. The character of the Pinot Noir in this region is exceptional and unique. Through her range (almost entirely composed of Pinot Noir based Champagnes and one still wine rosé) the throughline of deep but elegant sappiness in the palate and ethereal, wildly complex aromas seem to truly come from this particular place.
Rosé des Riceys is a well-worth-it, juicy and tremendously complex and delicious rosé with real stuffing. It alone brings greater meaning to rosé for me than a festive warm weather drink and sits atop a very short list of truly extraordinary rosés I’ve had in my life. Once open, it often shows darker fruits and needs time to show its full range of complexity while it works its way into the higher fruit tones and sweet rose aromas.