Photo by Johnny

Gosset Celebris Rose Extra Brut 2003 (750ml bottle)

Composition: 68% Chardonnay; 32% Pinot Noir, including 7% red wine from Bouzy and Ambonnay

2004.05.01. --- date of assemblage and bottling for 2^nd fermentation

Limited production of 5,000 bottles for this vintage

Dosage: 5g/L

Tasted in end Oct., 2011

Served upon popping the cork.

Salmon pink bordering on orange now, an indicator of maturity, with some copper reflections. Pinpoint bubbles, densely packed, indicating decent storage condition.

On the nose, an initial whiff of fruit candy quickly overwhelmed by warm, mature notes of decadent Pinot, ripe cherry and raspberry, mingled with some red floral perfume and just a touch of aniseed.

I think the nose here duly reflects 2003 vintage characteristics: warm, ripe (or rather overripe), thus evolving fast...

To be honest, we begin worrying that the palate could be too evolved as well. But, to our relief, the taste here still shows crisp, naturally sweet red berries and deep, resonant red floral fragrance and it finishes with hints of aniseed. With each and every sip, my stomach feels the warming, comforting vinosity.

Mind you though, serve it well chilled, and don't let it sit too long in the glass -- when warmed up, it easily become way too soft and voluptuous, losing focus and poise: apparently, this is attributable to the low acidity of 2003 vintage...

About half an hour after being opened, the wine enters a completely new phase: those too evolved and voluptuous portions of Pinot Noir (my guess is the 25% PN vinified en blanc) fade away, leaving behind a Rose feeling younger and more vigorous, with incisive Chardonnay in driver's seat and minerality more transparent. NOW it is more like Gosset Grand Rose NV in tone, while surely possessing extra level of finesse and precision than the latter.

Overall, this is a decent effort for the challenging 2003 vintage -- the Chardonnay-dominated blend could not have been more suitable yet more difficult to source, considering the scarce availability of fine Chardonnays in the small crop of 2003... 

Last but not least: do not age it, drink this one soon.