NV Ruinart Rose

Full bottle 1,641 g. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Raspberries and white pepper. Quite sweet – there is something that evokes a long-distant memory of strawberry jelly babies. Pretty fruit and a good, broad swathe of ripe acidity, but lacks the complexity and stature I'd expect of a champagne in this price bracket. It might taste better with a slice of strawberry tart? (TC)

Only clue is the code LAK07 on the back label. Mostly premiers crus Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, we are told, with 20–25% reserve wines and 18–19% still red. Three years on lees. Dosage 8 g/l. Pale orange. Small bead and appetising nose. Tight and focused with both fruit and grip, and a core of fruit that tastes a little like orange juice. But the finish is a little sweet so this is not the most appetising pink champagne. Nice texture though and very much an aperitif style. (JR)

Dosage 9 g/l. 55% Pinot Noir (of which 19% is red wine), 45% Chardonnay. Three to four years on lees. Simple red fruit nose, chewy texture with a refreshing finish. Less substance and grain than the Veuve Clicquot rosé. (RH)