Beginning with the striking, pale copper color, this is very unconventional rosé champagne. Wonderful fruit aromas that range from cherry and wild strawberry to persimmon and candied orange with a touch of sushi ginger. Then comes the mouth-filling and well-structured palate that has an amazing grainy-chalky feel to it, unlike anything else in this category. Very long, saline finish. A cuvée of pinot noir with a small amount of chardonnay that was vinified in amphoras. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.

The NV Rosé Rose Dame-Jane is light and airy in the glass. Crushed flowers, sweet crushed berries, white pepper and mint are all beautifully lifted. Translucent and gracious, the Dame-Jane is quite a departure for a house that was previously known for rich, opulent Champagnes. The Dame-Jane is done with an 'Oeil de Perdrix' base in which Pinot is given a short time on the skins for added color and structure. Right before bottling, touches of Chardonnay and still Pinot are added to fine-tune the blend. The Dame-Jane is aged entirely in sandstone terracotta, an approach that works beautifully. This release is based on 2017, with 40% reserve wines. Dosage is 6 grams per liter. Disgorged: March 21, 2019. -- Antonio Galloni

The latest release of Giraud's NV Brut Rosé Dame-Jane is showing very well, unfurling from the glass with complex aromas of red plums, cinnamon, orange zest, warm bran and smoke. On the palate, it's full-bodied, broad and textural, with all the house's signature vinosity, displaying superb depth at the core, ripe but racy acids and beautiful balance despite its muscular, textural style, concluding with a sapid finish. This is another success. - WK

There's a plush creaminess to this rich and balanced rosé, as well as a pleasing juiciness that enlivens the flavors of plumped cherry, grilled nut and tangerine peel, with a tangy hint of fleur de sel. Lingers on the well-cut finish. Drink now through 2024. – AN