Ruinart Champagne Brut Rose NV

Founded in 1729, Maison Ruinart holds the distinction of being the oldest established Champagne house in the world, and its rosé carries an equally storied claim — first produced in 1764, it's widely considered the original rosé Champagne, predating the style's now-widespread popularity by well over a century. The blend leans on Chardonnay, the house's signature grape, at 45%, sourced from the Côte des Blancs and Montagne de Reims, balanced against 55% Pinot Noir from the Montagne de Reims and Vallée de la Marne — a meaningful point of difference from Pinot-dominant rivals like Veuve Clicquot Rosé. Around 12–19% of that Pinot Noir is vinified as still red wine and blended in to give the cuvée its distinctive coral-pink hue, rather than relying on simple skin contact, and roughly a quarter to a third of the final blend comes from reserve wines, lending consistency and depth across releases.

The result is elegant and layered rather than overtly fruity: intense aromas of pomegranate, lychee, and guava mingle with rose petal and freshly picked red berries, joined by warmer notes of tonka bean and nutmeg. The palate is full yet refined, carried by fine, persistent bubbles and a saline-tinged, generously long finish that critics have repeatedly praised for its harmony and balance.