L. Aubry Fils - Champagne 1er Cru Brut Rose NV 750ml (12.5% ABV)

• 40% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir (2% vin rouge), 20% Meunier, 5% Arbanne, Petit Meslier, Fromenteau and Pinot Blanc
• 70% 2021, 30% reserve wine back to 1998
• From Jouy-lès-Reims 1er Cru, Villedommange 1er Cru, Pargny-lès-Reims 1er Cru, Coulommes-la-Montagne 1er Cru
• Yes malo
• Mostly stainless steel with a portion of the Chardonnay aged in used barrique
• Aged 36+ months on the lees
• Dosage: 4g/L

very pale peach/salmon tinge, the NV Champagne 1er Cru Brut Rosé is consists of 70% from the 2021 harvest, with the rest reserve wine going back to 1998. Subtle and pretty, it offers notes of peach purée, cherry blossoms, and croissant. Medium-bodied and lively, it's a refreshing rosé with a chalky, citrus-driven palate and a clean, modest finish. This is a quaffable rosé for all seasons

about the estate:

Philippe Aubry works with his brother Pierre and brother-in-law Noël Poret and has been trying to give expression to Champagne’s indigenous varieties such as Arbanne and Petit Meslier, as well as Pinot Gris (the local name is Fromenteau) and Pinot Blanc.

Philippe and Pierre Aubry run their family estate in the Premier Cru village of Jouy-lès-Reims, located in the western part of the Montagne de Reims. Philippe’s son Max joined his father and uncle at the domain in 2020 and is poised to carry on the legacy of his father and uncle. The family traces wine growing to 1790 and are well known for growing ancient grape varieties still permitted in the Champagne A.O.C. Aubry’s wines are original and individual, representing flavors that fall outside of the typical profile of Champagne. Pressing is done in traditional Coquard basket presses and vinification here is mostly in stainless steel, apart from Chardonnay, which is vinified in wood for some cuvées. The basic “Brut Classique” comes from a perpetual cuvée, started in 1998. Some of this perpetual cuvée—sometimes incorrectly referred to as a “solera”—is held mostly in stainless steel, while a portion is in used barrique. This adds a level of complexity to the non-vintage wine, a standout in the region.

Farming here is moving towards organic, especially since Max joined the estate. He comes from a background in computer science and is managing the administration of the estate but is deeply interested in viticulture and winemaking. Over the next five years, Max will take on an increasing role in viticulture and winemaking, transitioning fully to organics. The soils in this part of the Petite Montagne are unique, with a high proportion of fossil-bearing limestone, which gives lift and high acidity to the wines. Due to the naturally high acidity of the wines, full malolactic fermentation is allowed in all cuvées; Aubry would prefer to have slightly lower acidity and be able to use lower dosage to find balance.

The Aubry brothers also grow all seven of the legal varieties permitted in Champagne, which they are well known for. In addition to Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and Chardonnay, they have Arbanne, Petit Meslier, Fromenteau (Pinot Gris) and Pinot Blanc planted.

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