Olivier HoriotLes Riceys, Côte des Bar

Producer profile
PL Making wines under his own label since 2000 but unlike most producers in the region, Olivier Horiot is "much more motivated to make still wines than champagne". "Still, pale rose called Rosé des Riceys has its own separate appellation and comes exclusively from Les Riceys, the southernmost village of Champagne". Oliver Horiot's single-vineyard biodynamic rosé vinified in Burgundy barrels is a wine of "unprecedented finesse, complexity, and site expression". It comes from two parcels and is bottled separately as "broader, more generously fruity" En Barmont and En Valingrain that has "finer texture and is lighter on its feet". Since 2004 Horiot makes sparkling champagnes as well: "lively, fragrant" Sève Blanc de Noirs and "coppery, biscuity" Sève Rosé de Saignée. He also makes a 100% arbanne champagne and a "quirky, fruity" blend of 5 grapes (including arbanne and pinot blanc) called 5 Sens. TyS no mention. ToS 84 "natural and stylistically down to earth wines".

Tasting notes

Rosé des Riceys En Valingrain 2014. Vin tranquille de Champagne. Handsome bottle with the label shaped like a coat of arms. Nice detail on the back. Practically red like only slightly diluted pinot noir red. Low tannins, a pleasant, easy-drinking wine. Hints of gunpowder and prune. Elegant, meandering. Purchased at Proper Pour in summer 2020 for $72. ⭐

Sève Rosé de Saignée 2008. 100% pinot noir, vinified in oak. Bottle #70 out of 3283 produced. Disgorged January 8 2013, 2g dosage. Excellent detail on the back. Burnished copper. Singular aroma, unlike any other rosé. Enchanting and sophisticated. Tastes at first transparent, with a note of fermentation that brings associations with ink and gouache. Then the flavor expands with nuances of port, talc powder, and warm pine. Mesmeric from Gabriel Glas. Very much a favorite. Purchased at Hazel's in autumn 2020 for $65. ⭐⭐⭐