2004 Roses de Jeanne Rose de Saignée Le Creux d'Enfer 

BY ANTONIO GALLONI | JULY 31, 2017

Cédric Bouchard’s Champagnes have been among my favorite wines from anywhere in the world since I first tasted them about ten years ago. Meticulous attention in all phases of production and a desire to be totally hands-on limits the production of these wines to just a few thousand bottles a year.

None of Bouchard’s Champagnes is as rare as the Rosé de Saignée Le Creux d'Enfer. One of the most distinctive wines in Champagne, the 2004 Creux d’Enfer was made from vines cropped at just 12 hectoliters per hectare, vinified with whole clusters and bottled with no dosage. The 2004 has reached a glorious peak of expression where all the elements are in perfect balance. Soaring aromatics and beautifully layered fruit are two of the signatures in this exquisite, translucent Champagne. The purity of flavors and textures is simply remarkable. Although the 2004 retains quite a bit of freshness, I would not push my luck too much further. 95/Drink: 2017-2020