La Lutétienne Rosé, Brut Nature 2005

Wine Description for La Lutétienne Rosé Brut Nature 2005 by Tarlant

Colour & Appearance

Delicate salmon pink with copper reflections, hinting at 16 years of ageing on lees. The finest, persistent mousse – a visual promise of elegance and maturity.

Nose

Fascinatingly complex: roasted hazelnuts and brioche meet dried apricots and candied orange peel. Beneath, mineral notes of chalk and a subtle smoky note, reminiscent of the lignite-rich chalky soils of Celles-lès-Condé. With air, white truffle and hay emerge.

Palate

Impressive depth alongside finesse. The Brut Nature dosage (0 g/l) allows the crystalline purity of the terroir to shine through unfiltered. Stone fruit and candied citrus meld with a saline minerality. The 75% Chardonnay lends tension and precision, whilst the Pinot Noir contributes structure and a subtle red berry fruit. Creamy texture meets vibrant acidity – a dance between maturity and freshness.

Finish

Extraordinarily long and vibrant. The absence of dosage underscores the mineral precision and leaves a saline, almost oyster-like aftertaste with a hint of ginger and grapefruit zest.

Terroir & Origin

From five precisely selected vineyard sites in the Vallée de la Marne, including the legendary parcels „Mocque Tonneau“ and „Four à Chaux“ with their Lutetian chalks and lignite deposits. This geological particularity gives the wine its characteristic smoky minerality.

Grape Variety & Vinification

75% Chardonnay, 25% Pinot Noir. Spontaneous fermentation in Burgundian oak barrels, vinified parcel by parcel, no malolactic fermentation. 16 years and 5 months on lees – a test of patience that pays dividends in every nuance. Rosé through assemblage, unfiltered.

Food Pairing Recommendations

Scallops with brown butter, langoustines, smoked salmon, sweetbreads with morels, or a mature Comté. The complexity demands equally nuanced companions.

Special Features

Limited production of just 3,300 bottles. A testament to artisanal perfection and Tarlant’s vision of Champagne as a terroir expression. Disgorged in January 2023 – drinking beautifully now, but with further potential for at least a decade.