Philipponnat Reserve Rose

Description

Philipponnat Royale Rserve Ros is a traditional method Champagne ros bottled at 12.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Scored 94 points by both James Suckling and Tyson Stelzer, this cuve distinguishes itself through the addition of still red wine sourced from the historic Clos des Goisses vineyard one of the most storied single-vineyard sites in all of Champagne.

Quick Facts: ABV: 12.5% | Origin: Champagne, France | Non-Vintage Brut Ros | House: Philipponnat (est. 1910)

Production & Heritage

Philipponnat was founded in 1910 in Mareuil-sur-A, a village on the banks of the Marne Canal in the heart of Champagne. The house is perhaps best known as the custodian of Clos des Goisses, a 5.5-hectare, south-facing vineyard on a dramatic 45-degree slope that became the first single-vineyard Champagne when it was bottled in 1935. The Royale Rserve Ros is built on a Pinot Noir-dominant blend 69% Pinot Noir, 29% Chardonnay, and 2% Meunier with 27% oak-aged reserve wines contributing depth and complexity. Its pink hue and vinous character come from a 6.5% addition of still red wine produced from Clos des Goisses fruit, a detail that links this non-vintage cuve directly to Philipponnat’s most celebrated terroir.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Fresh rose petals and peach blossom lead into ripe strawberry, apricot, and a subtle croissant-like brioche quality. There is a lifted floral elegance that avoids heaviness.

Taste: The entry is bright with sliced strawberry and red cherry fruit, giving way to a mid-palate layered with star anise, gingerbread warmth, and salted almond. Plum jelly richness and orange peel zest build toward a focused, balanced peak supported by fine acidity.

Finish: Medium-long, with lingering red apple and raspberry fruit gradually yielding to a dry, chalky mineral note. The texture remains lively and precise through the close.

How to Drink Royale Rserve Ros

Pour at 4650F (810C) in a white wine glass or tulip-shaped flute to let the aromatic complexity open fully; this is a ros Champagne that rewards attention beyond the first sip. A French 75 benefits from the wine’s structured Pinot Noir backbone, adding vinous weight to the cocktail. A Kir Royale made with a restrained touch of cassis amplifies the existing berry fruit without overwhelming the wine’s finesse. For a simple aperitif twist, a Champagne Spritz with a dash of Aperol complements the orange peel and gingerbread notes already present in the blend.

Best For

• Toasting a milestone anniversary or engagement celebration
• Gifting a Champagne enthusiast who values terroir-driven ros
• Pairing with a multi-course dinner featuring seafood or charcuterie
• Elevating a holiday brunch or New Year’s Eve gathering

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Royale Rserve Ros taste like? It delivers ripe strawberry, red cherry, and apricot fruit layered with gingerbread spice, star anise, and a dry, chalky mineral finish. The overall profile is fruit-forward but structured, with a brioche-like richness from oak-aged reserves.

How does Royale Rserve Ros compare to Billecart-Salmon Brut Ros? Both houses are located in Mareuil-sur-A and produce benchmark ros Champagnes, but they take different stylistic paths. Billecart-Salmon Brut Ros is widely regarded as a lighter, more delicate expression, while Philipponnat’s version draws more vinous depth from its 6.5% Clos des Goisses red wine addition and 27% oak-aged reserves.

Is Royale Rserve Ros good for sipping on its own? Absolutely the wine’s balance of bright acidity, layered fruit, and fine mousse makes it an excellent standalone aperitif. Served slightly chilled, it reveals increasing complexity as it opens in the glass.

Where is Royale Rserve Ros made? It is produced by Champagne Philipponnat, based in Mareuil-sur-A in the Champagne region of northern France. The still red wine component comes specifically from the house’s Clos des Goisses vineyard, a steep south-facing slope along the Marne.

What foods pair well with Royale Rserve Ros? Seared salmon benefits from the wine’s acidity and red-fruit brightness. Duck rillettes echo the Pinot Noir weight in the blend. Wild strawberry desserts mirror the wine’s dominant berry character. Aged Comt cheese highlights the nutty, brioche reserve-wine notes. Sushi or sashimi finds a natural counterpoint in the wine’s crisp, mineral finish.

What sizes does Royale Rserve Ros come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format.

Is Royale Rserve Ros worth the price? It positions as a premium non-vintage ros Champagne, sitting above entry-level offerings from larger houses. The use of Clos des Goisses red wine fruit from one of Champagne’s most prestigious vineyard sites and consistently strong critical scores (94 points from James Suckling) represent genuine added value at this tier.

Why Royale Rserve Ros?

The defining detail here is the red wine addition from Clos des Goisses, a vineyard with no real parallel in Champagne its extreme 45-degree south-facing slope produces fruit of unusual concentration and ripeness. That component gives this ros a vinous backbone rarely found in non-vintage pink Champagne. Combined with 27% oak-aged reserves and a Pinot Noir-dominant blend, the result is a wine that has earned 94-point scores from James Suckling and Tyson Stelzer alongside 93 points from Wine Spectator. For those seeking a ros Champagne that connects directly to one of the region’s most iconic terroirs, Philipponnat’s Royale Rserve Ros delivers something meaningfully distinct from its peers.