1988 Dom Ruinart Rose

Some of the wines weren’t quite as impressive, including the 1988 Dom Ruinart Rosé (magnum) which was less complex and interesting on the palate than its gorgeous aromas had initially suggested.

After 37 years, the 1988 Brut Rosé from Dom Ruinart has retained a lucid salmon hue with few signs of aging. The bouquet does not hold back and seems completely intent on pleasing the olfactory senses, gushing with freshly picked strawberries, raspberries, a vase of roses and light mandarin aromas. It’s far more youthful than I would have predicted. The palate is equally attractive, with vivacious strawberry and cranberry fruit at its core. This is no shy and retiring wallflower, exerting weight and grip in the mouth whilst retaining freshness and an infectious joie de vivre . If you have bottles of the 1988 left in your cellar, do not hesitate to crack them open now, though this wine has plenty more left.

Pale green-edged copper-salmon color. Wild aromas of red fruits, toasted nuts, toffee, brown butter, smoked meat, mushroom and truffle. Frothy, harmonious and ripe, with distinctly idiosyncratic flavors of orange oil, strawberry, cappuccino, smoked meat and mushroon. A harmonious midweight with very good persistence. Closer in style to an old Burgundy (with mature pinot and chardonnay flavors) than a rose Champagne. Recommended particularly for the adventurous.