2012 Cedric Bouchard Rose De Saignee Creux d'Enfer
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Tasting notes
Sourced from only three rows of vines, the 2012 Champagne Creux d’Enfer Rosé comes from clay-limestone soils with a western exposition, and only about 150 bottles are produced, all foot-pressed with the stems. It opens with notes of ripe apricot, strawberry, raspberry, and fresh flowers. Medium to full-bodied yet weightless, like all the wines here, it has bright laser focus and is so pretty. Its pinpoint mousse enhances the elegance and finesse. Notes of anise appear as it changes, with minty, quince-like tones. Always evolving, it’s a carousel of aroma and feel – medium-bodied, with superb focus and a long-lasting finish. By all means, buy and drink these wines, but have a glass and watch them evolve over the days to come. No filtration and zero dosage for all of these wines.
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Average Score
Robert Parker
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2012 Rosé de Saignée Le Creux d'Enfer is one of Bouchard's finest renditions of this cuvée—and it's also one of the most structured, tightly wound vintages to date. Unwinding in the glass with scents of cherries, raspberries, plums, pear and apricot, complemented by hints of spice and clear honey, it's full-bodied, layered and seamless, with a deep and concentrated core that's framed by racy acids and chalky structure, concluding with a long, penetrating finish. This gets my nod as likely to prove one of the most long-lived Creux d'Enfers Bouchard has produced.
The 2012 Blanc de Noirs Creux d'Enfer Rosé is a truly special wine. Hauntingly beautiful in its aromatics, the Creux d'Enfer captivates all the senses with its weightless finesse and crystalline purity. Crushed rose petal, mint, savory, herbs, blood orange and cranberry give the wine its exotic, beguiling personality. Light on its feet and mesmeringly beautiful, the 2012 remains a wine of sublime pleasure over the time I followed it. Bouchard's Creux d'Enfer Rosé is another rare bird, but it, too, is worthy every bit of effort it will take to find a bottle or two. Creux d'Enfer is Pinot Noir crushed by foot and vinified with 100% whole clusters. Disgorged: April 2016. No dosage.