1992 Domaine Chandon Vintage Brut Rose

DOMAINE CHANDON – THE SECRET MUSEUM COLLECTION

Domaine Chandon is Australia’s foremost sparkling wine producer. During a conversation on the high costs of sparkling wine production, Chandon’s financial controller, Rob Peebles, let out that a number of wines from the best vintages had been set aside and deliberately “lost”. This smelt too much like a private cache of top wine set aside for Directors - the catch was how to get hold of it! We had a lucky break, Dr. Tony Jordan was in France and winemaker, Wayne Donaldson was recently promoted to run Chandon California. The person left in charge of this “museum” was a financial controller and Peebles’ only passion in life is money. (It’s so easy to deal with people when there are no emotions attached.) A deal was done - on the condition that we had to taste everything first and subject to quality we would proceed. Let us say, we have not been disappointed.

A superb, complex developed Rose, made from a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. Delightful pink damask/orange pink colour, showing signs of bottle age. Excellent nose, showing developed aromas with creamy palate texture and outstanding length and persistence. The yeast autolysis is dominant and runs right through into a long nutty aftertaste. Drink over the next couple of years. Very limited stocks.

RATING: 92/100

VALUE: XXXXX/5