Description & elaboration
The Rosé de Macération cuvée by Elemart Robion is a saignée champagne crafted in the Vallée de l'Ardre. It is a champagne with notes of cherry and raspberry — underpinned by a distinct chalky minerality. On the palate, its full, fleshy texture makes it a natural partner for fine dining. This is a rare, small-production cuvée made from the Robion family's historic vineyard parcels.
The Terroir
The estate is based in Lhéry, a village in the Marne department within the Vallée de l'Ardre. The vines are rooted in a geological profile combining solid limestone and local sand. This free-draining subsoil prevents waterlogging and encourages the roots to reach deep into the earth in search of minerals. The south-west-facing slope ensures extended sun exposure, which promotes the slow, even ripening of the grapes.
The vineyard is managed under certified organic farming as recognised by Ecocert. Biodynamic preparations further support the care of the parcels. Harvesting is carried out exclusively by hand, and yields are kept in check through short winter pruning and targeted spring shoot removal.
The winemaking
Under the supervision of Thierry Robion, the harvest is fully destemmed before being mechanically crushed to release the must. The juice then macerates at a stabilised temperature of 7 °C for 36 hours — a technique that draws out colour pigments without any bitterness. Fermentation is triggered spontaneously by indigenous yeasts (yeasts naturally present on the grapes) in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks. Malolactic fermentation follows naturally. The wine was bottled in May 2023.
Lees ageing lasts 19 months. During this period, regular manual riddling keeps the fine lees in suspension — a method that adds roundness and aromatic depth. The cuvée undergoes no fining. Disgorgement took place in December 2024.
The 2022 harvest
No vintage year appears on the label, but the current release is based on the 2022 harvest. The 2022 growing season was defined by a dry summer that guaranteed impeccable health across the entire vineyard. Fruit maturity produced a dense base with well-preserved acidity.
The blend draws on two grape varieties grown on the estate. Meunier, planted in the sandier soils, delivers immediate roundness on the palate. Pinot Noir reinforces the tannic backbone and extends the saline resonance of the cuvée.
Tasting Notes
Appearance
The wine displays a raspberry pink hue with copper reflections, the result of the slow maceration process.
Nose
On the nose, aeration reveals aromas of crunchy red fruits, supported by hints of white pepper and peony.
Palate
The attack is silky, drawn out by a mineral tension reminiscent of morello cherry.
Food Pairing Suggestions
- Grilled prawns
- Wild smoked salmon
- Comté cheese puffs
- Pan-fried red mullet
- Duck breast
- Roast pigeon
- Raspberry sorbet
- Red fruit gratin
- Strawberry tart
The Plus de Bulles expert's opinion
Why I love it
This rosé won me over with its vinous body and notes of ripe red fruits lifted by gentle spice. I particularly love its delicate bubble, which carries through to a beautifully persistent finish.
My recommendation
Serve at 10–11 °C in a wine glass to accompany duck breast with figs.
Advice
How to store this champagne?
Plus de Bulles ships this bottle (75 cl) in reinforced packaging specially designed for transporting champagne. Once received, we recommend storing the bottle on its side, away from light — ideally in a cellar, or at the very least in a cool, not-too-dry location with a relatively stable temperature.
Ageing potential
The Rosé de Macération cuvée by Elemart Robion develops beautifully over a cellaring window of 5 to 7 years.
- Drink now: the bottle releases intense notes of fresh cherry from the moment it is opened.
- Drink after 3 years: the aromatic profile shifts towards dark fruit jam.
- Drink after 5 years:tertiary aromas of blonde tobacco and gentle spice emerge, transforming the youthful vivacity into a deeply velvety texture.
Serving suggestions
A few minutes in a decanter will help the wine open up aromatically. The generous bowl of a tulip wine glass effectively concentrates the aromas towards the taster's nose.
A story behind this cuvée
The Robion family has been farming its parcels for several decades, meticulously documenting how each vine responds to the climate. The work on colour extraction echoes the exacting standards applied to craft the biodynamic Pinot Meunier by Elemart Robion. Every stage of the maceration is recorded to ensure this chromatic identity is faithfully reproduced from one release to the next.
Seasoned enthusiasts will recognise here a complexity close to that of a great vintage rosé champagne. This approach is fundamentally different from a Blanc de Noirs produced by direct pressing. Moderate yields concentrate the aromatic precursors within the berries before harvest.
