Who makes it?

Roederer Philippe Starck Rosé is one of a pair of Champagnes under the Starck label. In addition to this pink wine, there is a white edition as well. This is also an outstanding wine. 

You might find a new label design in stores now.

Undoubtedly though, if you are a lover of Champagne, you will already know the Roederer Champagne house. And if you are a lover of design, particularly the Alessi citrus juicer, you will already know of Philippe Starck. In 2014, the first Roederer Starck wine launched with much well deserved acclaim. That collaboration though first started in 2006. The team have played the long game with these wines. No attention spared here. 

When Roederer teamed up with him in 2006, Starck insisted that he had input into how the wine was made. Hence, these wines have no additional sulphites or sugars using only biodynamic grown grapes. They are both brut nature (zero dosage) wines. This requires the fruit to be in the very best condition at harvest. The ripest healthiest grapes make the best Brut Nature Champagnes. 

Somewhat perversely, because Roederer use horses to work in the vineyards, they cannot classify their wines as vegan. 

For more information on Zero Dosage Champagnes, please read ‘ Zero Dosage Champagnes: Are they better? Why choose them?’

The label

The labels on these wines are also very obviously designed by Starck. And they often feature his brand of informative minimalist. All without compromising on being modernist and oh so stylish.

The same philosophy of attainable stylishness which underlines all his designs, be it an office, a yacht or a chair. Starck’s take on the wine is, “These champagnes need no artifice. Their beauty is revealed at the heart.”  This is sentiment you will often see with Champagnes of this style.

Starck is also on record for saying: “It’s like the Queen of England with Johnny Rotten – and I’m the punk,” he said, admitting that his nature was like the loud-mouthed lead singer of British band the Sex Pistols.

How do they make it?

This is a vintage Champagne and only made in the very best vintages. Because the Roederer Philippe Starck Rosé is a Brut Nature wine. Obviously, those vintages produce the ripest wines.  

For more information on Zero Dosage Champagnes, please read ‘ Zero Dosage Champagnes: Are they better? Why choose them?’

The grape blend changes each year depending on the vintage. All the grapes grow as a field blend from a biodynamic vineyard in Côteaux de Cumières. These vineyards are, of course, Premiere Cru vineyards. The team harvest the Pinot Noir separately and set it aside for the Rosé. Then this small quantity of Pinot goes into to the blend of must that has been created for the ‘Blanc’ partner wine. The final blend coferments together.

The blend for the Blanc is always of the three focus Champagne grapes with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir taking the lead and second main grape. There is some Pinot Meunier to round it out as well. What this means for the Rosé is that Pinot Noir is the key grape in the blend.

Around 10% of the base wine spends time in oak to add just that touch of richness. A portion of the wine goes through malolactic fermentation. This softens the acid and adds some complexity. After spending up to 8+ years on its lees, the wine is disgorged without any addition of sugar and it is ready to pour.

To read more about lees, please read What are Lees?

What does it taste like?

The Rosé is a paler mid pink hue as it sits in the glass. That extra Pinot Noir as a conferment partner really makes an impact in the wine. Roederer Philippe Starck Rosé has a richer aroma of strawberry and black cherry fruit that has a fresh zest of lemon keeping it fresh. Then comes the brioche and bready characters with some limestone minerality in support.  It is a spicier wine than the Blanc.

It is a fuller bodied wine due to the ripeness of those grapes. And it has an elegant intensity. The wine sits crisply in the mouth with a fine mousse. As the wine hits your taste buds there is a heady amalgam of cherry berry fruit and buttery spicy biscuits. Still very fresh and it is ripely lush and feels like it is laying bare its fine qualities.

This makes it a great wine to just sit and contemplate. 

I would make sure that you serve it just lightly chilled (around 10 – 12^oC) in a more open style flute to make the most of its lighter flavours. A narrow flute will exaggerate the dryness of this wine and strip the flavour. It needs to be free to do its thing. 

What to drink it with?

This is a wine that will work well with light meals. Chicken, fish and vegetarian choices. It has the complexity and depth of character to carry off lunch with great aplomp. However, please don’t limit this wine to lunch, it will be excellent for any time of day. Including a glorious way to finish the evening.

Cheese

Enjoy this wine with washed rind bloomy cheese. 

Quickie review « There is so much going on in this Champagne. This is the point of  zero dosage Champagnes & the Roederer Phillipe Starck Rosé is en point! »

Country of Origin:  Champagne AOC, France
Tasting Date: June 2019, September 2024
Price:  UK £95 | €75 | US$ 95++ | AU$170
Drink: now – 5+ years 
Needs food: no
Source: tasting

If you like prestige Champagnes and other fine fizzes, why not check out:
Australian sparkling wines – House of Arras style!
Louis Roederer Philippe Starck Blanc
Billecart-Salmon NV Rose
Fine fizz {Champagne} that should be in your glass

Visit louis roederer for more.