Philipponnat Reserve Rose

Philipponnat Royale Réserve Rosé is a traditional method Champagne rosé bottled at 12.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Scored 94 points by both James Suckling and Tyson Stelzer, this cuvée distinguishes itself through the addition of still red wine sourced from the historic Clos des Goisses vineyard — one of the most storied single-vineyard sites in all of Champagne.

Quick Facts: ABV: 12.5%  |  Origin: Champagne, France  |  Non-Vintage Brut Rosé  |  House: Philipponnat (est. 1910)

Production & Heritage

Philipponnat was founded in 1910 in Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, a village on the banks of the Marne Canal in the heart of Champagne. The house is perhaps best known as the custodian of Clos des Goisses, a 5.5-hectare, south-facing vineyard on a dramatic 45-degree slope that became the first single-vineyard Champagne when it was bottled in 1935. The Royale Réserve Rosé is built on a Pinot Noir-dominant blend — 69% Pinot Noir, 29% Chardonnay, and 2% Meunier — with 27% oak-aged reserve wines contributing depth and complexity. Its pink hue and vinous character come from a 6.5% addition of still red wine produced from Clos des Goisses fruit, a detail that links this non-vintage cuvée directly to Philipponnat's most celebrated terroir.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Fresh rose petals and peach blossom lead into ripe strawberry, apricot, and a subtle croissant-like brioche quality. There is a lifted floral elegance that avoids heaviness.

Taste: The entry is bright with sliced strawberry and red cherry fruit, giving way to a mid-palate layered with star anise, gingerbread warmth, and salted almond. Plum jelly richness and orange peel zest build toward a focused, balanced peak supported by fine acidity.

Finish: Medium-long, with lingering red apple and raspberry fruit gradually yielding to a dry, chalky mineral note. The texture remains lively and precise through the close.

How to Drink Royale Réserve Rosé

Pour at 46–50°F (8–10°C) in a white wine glass or tulip-shaped flute to let the aromatic complexity open fully; this is a rosé Champagne that rewards attention beyond the first sip. A French 75 benefits from the wine's structured Pinot Noir backbone, adding vinous weight to the cocktail. A Kir Royale made with a restrained touch of cassis amplifies the existing berry fruit without overwhelming the wine's finesse. For a simple aperitif twist, a Champagne Spritz with a dash of Aperol complements the orange peel and gingerbread notes already present in the blend.

Best For

• Toasting a milestone anniversary or engagement celebration
• Gifting a Champagne enthusiast who values terroir-driven rosé
• Pairing with a multi-course dinner featuring seafood or charcuterie
• Elevating a holiday brunch or New Year's Eve gathering

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Royale Réserve Rosé taste like? It delivers ripe strawberry, red cherry, and apricot fruit layered with gingerbread spice, star anise, and a dry, chalky mineral finish. The overall profile is fruit-forward but structured, with a brioche-like richness from oak-aged reserves.

How does Royale Réserve Rosé compare to Billecart-Salmon Brut Rosé? Both houses are located in Mareuil-sur-Aÿ and produce benchmark rosé Champagnes, but they take different stylistic paths. Billecart-Salmon Brut Rosé is widely regarded as a lighter, more delicate expression, while Philipponnat's version draws more vinous depth from its 6.5% Clos des Goisses red wine addition and 27% oak-aged reserves.

Is Royale Réserve Rosé good for sipping on its own? Absolutely — the wine's balance of bright acidity, layered fruit, and fine mousse makes it an excellent standalone aperitif. Served slightly chilled, it reveals increasing complexity as it opens in the glass.

Where is Royale Réserve Rosé made? It is produced by Champagne Philipponnat, based in Mareuil-sur-Aÿ in the Champagne region of northern France. The still red wine component comes specifically from the house's Clos des Goisses vineyard, a steep south-facing slope along the Marne.

What foods pair well with Royale Réserve Rosé? Seared salmon benefits from the wine's acidity and red-fruit brightness. Duck rillettes echo the Pinot Noir weight in the blend. Wild strawberry desserts mirror the wine's dominant berry character. Aged Comté cheese highlights the nutty, brioche reserve-wine notes. Sushi or sashimi finds a natural counterpoint in the wine's crisp, mineral finish.

What sizes does Royale Réserve Rosé come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format.

Is Royale Réserve Rosé worth the price? It positions as a premium non-vintage rosé Champagne, sitting above entry-level offerings from larger houses. The use of Clos des Goisses red wine — fruit from one of Champagne's most prestigious vineyard sites — and consistently strong critical scores (94 points from James Suckling) represent genuine added value at this tier.

Why Royale Réserve Rosé?

The defining detail here is the red wine addition from Clos des Goisses, a vineyard with no real parallel in Champagne — its extreme 45-degree south-facing slope produces fruit of unusual concentration and ripeness. That component gives this rosé a vinous backbone rarely found in non-vintage pink Champagne. Combined with 27% oak-aged reserves and a Pinot Noir-dominant blend, the result is a wine that has earned 94-point scores from James Suckling and Tyson Stelzer alongside 93 points from Wine Spectator. For those seeking a rosé Champagne that connects directly to one of the region's most iconic terroirs, Philipponnat's Royale Réserve Rosé delivers something meaningfully distinct from its peers.