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Devaux `D de Devaux` Le Rosé Champagne
Producer
Devaux is a dynamic co-operative located in the southern part of Champagne...
It is one of the biggest vineyard holders in the region, with 1,480 hectares in the Aube and the Côte des Blancs. This control over its grape supply is a rarity in Champagne, a region where growers traditionally sell to the houses who control the brands. Due to the favourable southerly location of many of its vineyards, Devaux is a Pinot Noir and Rosé specialist. The quality of the wines illustrates why Tom Stevenson, the UK’s leading writer on Champagne, listed Devaux as one of his top 10 fastest improving producers in Decanter magazine, and why France’s esteemed La Revue du Vin de France voted Devaux as 2010’s Best Co-operative of France.
Vineyards
The Cuvee ‘D’ wines are Devaux’s best wines; the grapes are the very best quality of Champagne, and so the growers are paid accordingly. Devaux are Rosé specialists. The majority of their vineyards are located in the Aube where Pinot Noir is the dominant variety. This location, on the slopes of the Côte des Bars, is important; it gives a lovely richness on the nose and a long finish. Uniquely, almost half of this blend is Chardonnay, giving a delicacy not usually found in most Rosés. The high quality of the fruit from these vineyards ensure that the final dosage is lower than many Rosés
Vinification
The fermentation and malolactic fermentation are in stainless steel. This Rosé is made traditionally, by the addition of Pinot Noir still wine (which forms 11% of the total). The liqueur de tirage is added and the wine undergoes a slow second fermentation in bottle and extended ageing on its lees for 36 months (the legal minimum is 15 months). This results in a wine with a finer, more persistent mousse and greater potential for complexity. After disgorgement, the wine receives a light Brut dosage of 8g/l.
Tasting Notes
This is the most delicate of the Devaux Rosé Champagnes with the greater percentage of Chardonnay contributing a firm, elegant freshness to the palate. Fresh red fruit aromas from the Pinot Noir combine with a hint of hazelnut complexity which was encouraged by extended ageing on the lees when in bottle.
| Vintage |
|
| Grape varieties |
53% Pinot Noir
47% Chardonnay
|
| Region |
Côte des Bar, Champagne |
| Winemaker |
Michel Parisot |
| Closure |
Cork |
| Alcohol (ABV) |
12% |
