AR Lenoble Chouilly Rose Champagne

A.R. Lenoble is a sommelier-favorite Champagne house for several reasons. First, they are one of the few Champagne producers that is practicing organic viticulture. Secondly, they age all their wines in oak, something you don't see very much in Champagne anymore but adds incredible richness to the wines. Finally, cementing their endearment to wine geeks, they craft their nonvintage Champagnes in a solera system similar to the sherry production process, taking a small amount of previous vintages and blending it with newer harvests for complexity. Their lovely Chouilly-Bisseuil rose of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir (but mostly Chardonnay!) is rich yet crisp and delicate, with prominent aromas of strawberry and white peach that transform into blood orange, lemon, almond, and basil on the palate. It is a little spicy and toasty from oak aging, leading into a long, refreshing finish.