2004 Laurent Perrier Alexandra Rose

Aromas of peaches and light cherries with rust and hints of grapefruit. Earth and spice undertone. Full-bodied, fruity and spicy. Hints of black pepper. Extremely bright and creamy texture. Delicious and delicate finish. Drink now.

Disgorged in 2012 after eight years sur lattes, the 2004 Brut Alexandra Grande Cuvée Rosé has really begun to develop some complexity after seven years on cork. Salmon-pink in hue, the wine wafts from the glass with a beautiful bouquet of blood orange, iodine, dried rose petals, aromatic bitters and tangerine. On the palate, it's medium to full-bodied, pure and racy, with a delicate pinpoint mousse, good concentration at the core and a long, saline finish. Readers who have had the foresight to cellar a few bottles should pop a cork or two, as this rosé is showing brilliantly.

Made only in exceptional years when their Chardonnay and Pinot Noir ripens simultaneously, because the wine is made by macerating the red and white grapes together. 20% Chardonnay, 80% Pinot Noir. RS 6 g/l. 10 years on lees. Disgorged in the third quarter of 2015. (If you want to know when LP disgorge their wines, check the code on the cork: there will be a letter and a number. The letters A, B, C, or D stand for first, second, third and fourth quarter of the year. The number is the year, transposed. So C51 = third quarter, 2015.) Distinct orange/onion-skin tinge. Damson, quince-paste nose. Earthiness. Sharply stitched mousse. Tastes very very dry! Minerals and ripe heirloom tomatoes, a sweet green dustiness. Caraway and wild strawberries. Distinctive.Definitely a food wine and not an aperitif. (TC)