Domaine Alexandre Bonnet : "Les Contrées" Rosé de Macération Extra Brut 2020

Characteristics and tasting notes for the Contrées Rosé de Macération Extra Brut 2020 by Domaine Alexandre Bonnet

Tasting

Colour
A deep, intense pink hue.

Nose
The aromatic bouquet reveals notes of red fruit, subtly complemented by floral and citrus touches.

Palate
This medium-bodied wine is intense and elegant. The palate is beautifully structured, thanks to lively acidity and exceptionally fine tannins, stretching into a long finish marked by the saline minerality typical of its terroir.

A great macerated rosé from Domaine Alexandre Bonnet

The estate

Founded around 1970 by the Bonnet family, Domaine Alexandre Bonnet covers 47 hectares in the heart of the Champagne region, in the commune of Les Riceys. This unique terroir, at the crossroads of Champagne and Burgundy influences, is renowned for its three appellations. Owned by the Lanson-BCC group since 1998, the estate is now run by Arnaud Fabre. As a grower-producer, the house champions precision viticulture to craft cuvées with a strong sense of identity, making it an essential reference among the great wines of the Côte des Bar.

The vineyard

This cuvée comes from a parcel selection on one of the steepest, south-facing slopes of Les Riceys. The vines, planted in 1974 using massal selection, thrive on Kimmeridgian marl and limestone soils in a semi-continental climate. This Champagne vineyard is managed according to the principles of precision viticulture and is certified High Environmental Value (HVE), promoting biodiversity without the use of chemical herbicides.

Vinification and ageing

To produce "Les Contrées" Rosé de Macération Extra Brut 2020, the grapes are harvested by hand and rigorously sorted in the vineyard. The bunches are transported in perforated crates and then fully destemmed. The fruit is transferred to vats by gravity to preserve the integrity of the berries. A gentle maceration of around 72 hours, including a cold pre-fermentation phase, ensures optimal extraction. After yeast inoculation, malolactic fermentation takes place naturally. The wine then benefits from extended ageing on the lees before being disgorged with a very low dosage.

Grape varieties

This wine is made from a blend of 90% Pinot Noir and 10% Pinot Blanc.