Champagne William Saintot Rosé Rosarie Premier Cru NV

Champagne is practically in Morgann Saintot’s blood, and he remains one of the coolest and most invested winemakers we’ve ever met. His great-grandfather worked for Bollinger in 1917, and in 1951, his grandfather started their family estate. Morgann began his work with his family’s label in 2011 and took over fully in 2016, managing the estate’s roughly 10-hectare vineyard. All of their vines are Massale selection and raised with organic methods, with high-density planting and a full-time dedicated team for pruning. They harvest later than most, with powerful grapes that can hold up to barrel fermentation and aging. Around half of their fruit is sold to Krug, Moet, and Veuve, if that tells you anything about the quality of farming taking place. 

When our team visited the property, Morgann walked us through the cellar and poured vin clairs that had been aging in barrel for extended periods. The attention to detail was obvious everywhere, from old-vine farming to wild fermentations and long elevage before blending. Morgann is also one of the few remaining grower-producers in Champagne maintaining an in-house nursery and grafting program, preserving both heritage and vine quality. 

This is a rosé de saignée, meaning rather than blending in a splash of red wine, Saintot makes the color and flavor the hard way. 100% Pinot Noir from old vines averaging around 37 years on clay-limestone soils, macerated on its skins so the juice "bleeds" out a deep, glowing pink. Vinification happens entirely in oak barrel, with partial malolactic, no chilling, and no filtration, followed by around 20 months maturing in the cellar and finished with a barely there 1 g/L dosage. Get ready for a vivid, red-tinged pink in the glass and an expressive nose of wild strawberry, cherry, and raspberry, lifted by oranges and lemons, a hint of rose and croissant, and a foresty, savory edge. The palate is fresh and firmly structured, with juicy red fruit, a spicy flicker, and a chalky, mineral finish that remains clean and dry. And it's rare in the most literal sense: only about 4,000 bottles are made each year. This is an easy add to any Champagne lover’s collection, and we sincerely hope it won’t be the last we see from Saintot!