NV Gaspard Brochet, Rose Meunier, Extra Brut, Le Mouton (2022 Base)

One of the most atypical wines in both the range and the region as a whole, Gaspard Brochet’s NV Rosé Meunier Le Mouton Tome II (2022) is derived from Pinot Meunier planted on green clay soils in the village of Écueil and undergoes a prolonged 20-day maceration that accounts for its deep ruby hue. Disgorged in December 2025 with a dosage of four grams per liter, it leaps from the glass with aromas of lingonberry, cranberry and dark cherry mingled with notes of dark plum. Full-bodied, vinous and fragrant on the palate, it is built around a rich core of fruit and concludes with a perfumed, cherry-inflected finish. Matured for an extended period in wood—two months in vat and 20 months in 450-liter barrels averaging 10 years of age—it recalls a red wine with bubbles more than a typical rosé Champagne and should prove a compelling companion at the table, pairing especially well with red meat dishes. ~ (91) Kristaps Karklins, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate 7-30-2026