We reviewed the original “Brut Gold” Armand de Brignac Champagne back in 2009, in the early days of Drinkhacker, and now we’re back with the natural sequel: Armand de Brignac Brut Rosé. The rose is a blend of 55% Pinot Noir, 20% Pinot Meunier, and 25% Chardonnay, drawing its color from the addition of 18% still red wine to the final blend. As always, this joint venture between Jay-Z and Moet Hennessey takes a no-expense-spared approach to production, the bottle coated in a metallic pink-gold material (not actual gold) and stamped with French pewter labels in lieu of paper. The black lacquer presentation box and velvet bag remain the same as well.

I finally opened this to celebrate the completion of a new screenplay (ask me anything!) … and of course to review it on its merits. Thoughts follow.

At first blush, this wine doesn’t break the mold at all, bright with fresh strawberry and a strong secondary note of juicy orange, layered ever so lightly with florals that grow stronger as the wine warms up a bit in glass. A very creamy Champagne, especially for a Brut, the wine’s greatest strength is how well-integrated its silky effervescence is, coaxing the wine into gently sweeter territory as the finish approaches, culminating in light-handed notes of vanilla and coconut cream. All the while, a sharp edge of orange peel gives the wine an incredible freshness, even as the dessert-like finish fades out.

It’s extremely hard to put down — but at $450 a bottle, may be even harder to pick up.

A- / $450 [BUY IT NOW FROM TOTAL WINE]

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