Bonnet-Ponson Jules Bonnet Champagne Premier Cru Rosé de Noirs Extra Brut 2014

Pure love, anticipation, zest for life and not wanting to be apart from a loved one is what French singer Edith Piaf talks about in her song La Vie en Rose. We can assure you that you’re likely to feel the same way about Bonnet-Ponson Jules Bonnet Champagne Grand et Premier Cru Rosé de Noirs Extra Brut, a sparkling wine that you will want to keep an eye on once you’ve tried it.

Bonnet-Ponson Jules Bonnet Champagne Grand et Premier Cru Rosé de Noirs Extra Brut is a blended rosé, the sweetest wine made by Bonnet-Ponson, one of the most traditional producers in the A.O.C. Champagne (northwest France). This family story began in 1862 in Chamery (Reims) with Grégori and Jules Bonnet, two winegrowers who, aside from selling grapes to other wineries, were pioneers in the production of sparkling wine. They lived in the Montagne de Reims (in the north of the denomination) and they were well aware of the treasure they had under their feet with a great variety of soils: clay, sandy and calcareous, with varied exposures, where over the years the vineyards have given the best of themselves. They have now expanded their vineyards and they own 10.5 hectares (certified organic) divided into different plots (which are very carefully respected at the time of vinification). The origins of Bonnet-Ponson Jules Bonnet Champagne Grand et Premier Cru Rosé de Noirs Extra Brut lie mainly in the Pinot Noir that comes from the 55-year-old vineyard planted in the five plots in Verzenay (classified as Grand Cru) and two plots in Chamery (classified as Premier Cru).

Quality and excellence are a constant of this house, so the grapes in the winery must be treated with respect, always keeping intervention to a minimum, without intervening in the true character of the wine. For this to happen, the work must begin in the vineyard, with a fast and manual harvest, because the must pressing has to happen almost immediately (in just 4 hours). This ensures the Bonnet-Ponson Jules Bonnet Champagne Grand et Premier Cru Rosé de Noirs Extra Brut clusters arrive in the best possible condition. Following alcoholic and malolactic fermentation, Bonnet-Ponson Jules Bonnet Champagne Grand et Premier Cru Rosé de Noirs Extra Brut spends 9 months on its lees in oak barrels until bottling, without filtration and only a minimal amount of sulphite (35 mg/L).

This final step is just the beginning of a great journey for this sparkling rosé, as it still has a minimum of 5 years of bottle aging ahead; which is more than enough time for Bonnet-Ponson Jules Bonnet Champagne Grand et Premier Cru Rosé de Noirs Extra Brut to achieve that wonderful character that makes us dream.