From a year of small volume and big concentration, the color is deep but rather youthful for the time being. In 2012, the color and flavors extracted quickly, and 48 hours’ maceration was enough. A super stylish and expressive nose with licorice and juniper wood giving spicy tones to the sweetly fruity, bitter cherry and strawberry candy nose. On the palate there is an explosion of flavors with wild, even animally tones supporting the intense fruitiness. It is still holding back so much with its tight, fine tannin structure, energizing tension and sleek acid line. This is a keeper with ages ahead of it. Tasted September 2022.

A blend of 80% Pinot Noir and 20% Chardonnay that are pressed together, Laurent-Perrier's new 2012 Brut Alexandra Grande Cuvée Rosé was disgorged in January 2022. Wafting from the glass with rich aromas of orange oil, macerated red berries, stone fruits and petals, it's medium to full-bodied, bright and pillowy, with a fleshy core of fruit and delicate phenolic structure that enlivens its sapid finish. Drinking 2022-2032. William Kelley, August 2022.

Pale tomato red. Alexandra, after whom the wine is named, describes it as the colour of sky on a winter morning. Interesting, distinctive nose that's a bit like a vermouth – some herbs and slight bitterness. More interesting than the average pink champagne. Quite a bite on the end. Some cheese notes too. Liquorice, toasted bread and black fruits – bitter cherries? This is definitely a food wine. It might even go with some cheese and griotte cherries – perhaps that Basque combo? Serious wine. By no means a run-of-the-mill rosé. Drinking 2024-2032. Tasted October 2023.