Brocard Pierre "Saignee de La Cote" Rose Extra Brut Champagne, Champagne, France NV

FROM DE MAISON:

THE WINE: Saignée de la Côte is a Rosé from 100% pinot noir grapes, harvested in the 2021 vintage from the Frillon vineyard, planted in 1962, located near the village of Celles-sur-Ource. Soils consist of both Kimmeridgian and Portlandian limestone and clay. The vineyard is south facing, but maintains great freshness because it is in a valley between two forests, protected by pine trees on the ridge, providing excellent ventilation, with cooling breezes most of the year.

Thibaud was not interested in making rosé in the first place, as his preference is red wine from pinot noir. If he was going to make rosé at all, he wanted to make a natural, substantive, old-school rosé that drinks like a red wine with bubbles. His rosé Saignée de la Côte was born from one of the most unique, bold wines of the region – blurring the lines between red Coteaux Champenois and Champagne. There is nothing like it, and we love this Champagne for it.

Saignée de la Côte is a wild ride of psychedelic flavors, with an incredibly long finish designed to elevate food pairings or take you on a magic carpet ride. The color is intense ruby with orange highlights. The flavor profile is a celebration of savory red fruits, jam, strawberries, raspberries, blackcurrants, and touches of rose petals, violets, pepper, and cinnamon. The palate, reminiscent of a red Coteaux Champenois, is full-bodied and vinous with thrilling acidity, red fruits, cinnamon, and licorice. It is a pure expression of Côte des Bar pinot noir. A true, bold Saignée, perfect when paired with lamb; Thibaud himself prefers it with Indian food.

THE PRODUCER: Thibaud Brocard is a rising star in Champagne’s Côte des Bar. Champagne Brocard Pierre produces handmade, terroir-focussed wines with great transparency and electricity, without the aid of chemicals or the winemaking sleight-of-hand common in the world’s most recognizable wine appellation. The vibe at Brocard Pierre is a reflection of Thibaud: fresh and young; jovial, but always on-point. He delivers precise, gastronomic Champagnes designed for maximum pleasure at the table with friends, without pretense.

Vigneron Thibaud Brocard is the fifth generation of Champagne Brocard Pierre to work his family vineyards near the village of Celles-sur-Ource in the Seine river valley, known as the Barséquanais area of the Côte des Bar, the southernmost subregion of Champagne. Côte des Bar, located about an hour north of Chablis in the Aube department of France, is the transition point between Champagne and Burgundy. It was part of Burgundy for centuries until the French Revolution. This cultural association still forms the basis for the region’s winemaking philosophy, as well as its traditions and gastronomic identity.