DEUTZ AMOUR DE DEUTZ BRUT ROSE 750ML 2013

Alongside the superb Amour de Deutz Blanc de Blancs, the 2013 Amour de Deutz Rosé—disgorged in December 2022 with a dosage of seven grams per liter—stands as the crown jewel of the cellar this year. It unfurls from the glass with a hauntingly complex bouquet of rose petals, cranberry and blood orange, entwined with accents of burnt buttered toast. On the palate, it is medium- to full-bodied yet tensile, defined by a taut musculature, a vibrant fruit core and racy acids that carry it toward a persistent, chalk-inflected close. While its Blanc de Blancs sibling may rival it in complexity, the Rosé distinguishes itself as the most ethereal of all the house’s vintage-dated releases this year. It is composed of 42% Chardonnay and 58% Pinot Noir, incorporating 6% red wine obtained through cold maceration of Pinot Noir, with only the free-run juice retained.

The 2013 Amour de Deutz Rosé is in fine shape today. Now gently softened through the gradual passage of time, the 2013 is soft, open-knit and ready to give pleasure. Cranberry, white flowers and a kick of citrus all take shape in the glass. Gentle contours wrap it all together in style. I would prefer to drink the 2013 over the next handful of years.

The nose is half on primary fruits and half on developing with layered pastry and light oxidation. It's full and fragrant on the palate as well, with a pronounced ripeness and body, and it's supported by a zesty, citrusy acidity that elongates the earthy flavours on the finish.