Armand de Brignac has never been a brand content with standing still. Since Jay-Z acquired full ownership in 2014, the champagne house has methodically climbed from nightclub staple to serious wine list contender. The new vintage rose represents the latest step in that journey.
The 2019 vintage, released this month, is a blend of 60 percent Pinot Noir and 40 percent Chardonnay sourced from grand cru vineyards in Chigny-les-Roses and Montagne de Reims. The base wine undergoes partial malolactic fermentation before spending six years ageing on lees in the cellars beneath Cattier in Champagne.
In the glass, it presents a pale copper-pink colour with fine, persistent bubbles. The nose opens with fresh red berries, blood orange, and a savoury minerality that signals genuine complexity. On the palate, there is ripe strawberry, brioche, and a streak of acidity that keeps everything taut and focused. The dosage is low at just 6 grams per litre, giving the wine a dry, precise finish.
"This vintage represents what Armand de Brignac can achieve when we prioritise time over everything else." - Chef de Cave Alexandre Cattier
The bottle retains the signature metallic finish, this time in a matte rose gold that feels less flashy than previous releases. Each is hand-labelled with individual bottle numbers from a production run of just 3,000 units worldwide.
Pricing starts at 850 dollars, available through select fine wine merchants, Harrods, and the brand direct-to-consumer channel. Pre-orders opened last week and initial allocation is already spoken for across the US and Middle East markets.
For those who dismissed Armand de Brignac as style over substance, this vintage rose might change some minds. It is a serious champagne from a house that is growing into its ambition.