• France, Champagne, Domaine Alexandre Bonnet aux Riceys
• Extra Brut
  
• Alc.: 12.5% by volume
• Bottle Size: 750ml

Alexandre Bonnet Champagne La Forêt Extra Brut Rosé de Saignée 2018 Les Riceys, Côte des Bar — 100% Pinot Noir

Les Riceys sits at the southern tip of Champagne, where the region borders Burgundy and the soils shift to Kimmeridgian limestone — the same as Chablis. Alexandre Bonnet is the reference producer of this obscure, three-village appellation. La Forêt comes from a single south-facing vineyard on the steepest slopes of the domaine, planted in 1974 with yields 40% below the Champagne average. This is a rosé de saignée — made by skin maceration, not blending — with 72 hours of maceration giving the wine deep color, structure, and tannin that you simply don't find in most Champagne.

The 2018 is 100% Pinot Noir, extra brut at just 4g/L dosage. Expect intense red and dark fruit — cherry, wild berries, redcurrant — with spice, pepper, and a long saline finish. This drinks more like a serious red Burgundy with bubbles than anything you'd call a typical rosé Champagne. Drink now through 2028+. Pair with lamb chops, duck, pigeon, or aged cheeses.