Armand de Brignac Ace of Spades Brut Rosé

Armand de Brignac Ace of Spades Brut Rosé is a prestige rosé Champagne bottled at 12.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Scored 19 out of 20 by Jancis Robinson and 93 points by Decanter magazine, this cuvée ranks among the highest-rated rosé Champagnes in current production, assembled from 50% Pinot Noir, 40% Pinot Meunier, and 10% Chardonnay with the addition of 12% still red wine sourced from old vines.

Quick Facts: ABV: 12.5%  |  Origin: Montagne de Reims, Champagne, France  |  NV Prestige Cuvée  |  Producer: Maison Cattier

Production & Heritage

The Cattier family has produced wine in Rilly-la-Montagne, in the Montagne de Reims sub-region of Champagne, since the early 17th century. Armand de Brignac is made using only the cuvée — the very first and freshest portion of juice from the initial pressing of 4,000 kilograms of grapes, yielding just 20.5 hectoliters. For the Brut Rosé, the base wines include still red wine aged for one year in French oak barrels stored roughly 30 feet underground, a practice believed to lend the finished Champagne its distinctive complexity and depth. The final blend carries a dosage of 8.5 grams per liter, placing it on the drier end of the Brut spectrum and allowing the fruit and mineral character to remain front and center.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Ripe strawberry and black cherry rise immediately, followed by currants and floral hints. A subtle layer of sweet almond and singed bread develops with time in the glass.

Taste: The entry is round and full-bodied, with dark cherry and blackcurrant commanding the mid-palate. Layers of star anise, orange peel, and baked pastry emerge alongside crisp acidity. A grippy mineral freshness provides structural backbone that keeps the richness in check.

Finish: Long, vibrant, and mouthwatering, with slivered almond, fleur de sel, and chalky mineral notes persisting well after the final sip. The finish retains a pure red-fruit clarity that keeps pulling you back to the glass.

How to Drink Ace of Spades Rosé

Serve chilled to around 46–50°F in a wide-bowled Champagne glass to allow the complex aromatics to open fully; this rosé drinks beautifully on its own without any adornment. A French 75 Rosé benefits from the cuvée's dark fruit intensity and bright acidity, creating a more layered take on the classic. A Champagne Negroni gains added depth from the wine's full body and mineral grip. A Kir Royale made with this bottling and crème de cassis produces an exceptionally rich, seamless drink where the base Champagne holds its own against the liqueur.

Best For

• Celebrating milestone events like engagements, promotions, or landmark anniversaries
• Gifting a Champagne collector who values prestige cuvées and critical acclaim
• Anchoring an intimate multi-course dinner where the wine takes center stage
• Adding a statement bottle to a curated luxury collection

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Ace of Spades Rosé taste like? The dominant profile is dark cherry, blackcurrant, and ripe strawberry layered with star anise, almond, and baked pastry. Crisp acidity and chalky minerality balance the fruit-forward richness, finishing long and vibrant.

How does Ace of Spades Rosé compare to Dom Pérignon Rosé? Both occupy the ultra-premium rosé Champagne tier, but Ace of Spades Rosé incorporates 12% still red wine from old vines and carries a fuller, more vinous body with higher Pinot Meunier content. Dom Pérignon Rosé is a vintage-dated wine that typically presents a more delicate, Pinot Noir–driven profile shaped by a single harvest year.

Is Ace of Spades Rosé good for sipping on its own? Its full body, layered aromatics, and extended finish make it an exceptional standalone pour, best enjoyed well chilled in a wide-bowled glass that lets the dark fruit and mineral complexity unfold.

Where is Ace of Spades Rosé made? It is produced by the Cattier family at their estate in Rilly-la-Montagne, located in the Montagne de Reims sub-region of Champagne, France. The cellars sit roughly 30 feet underground, where the still red wines used in the blend age for a year in French oak barrels.

What foods pair well with Ace of Spades Rosé? Seared duck breast complements the dark fruit and vinous body. Tuna tartare with sesame plays against the mineral freshness. Aged Comté or Gruyère echoes the nutty almond notes. Wild strawberry desserts mirror the red fruit core. Charcuterie with cured meats and pâté matches the full-bodied structure.

What sizes does Ace of Spades Rosé come in? The standard bottle is 750ml, and Armand de Brignac also produces larger formats including Magnum (1.5L) and other ceremonial sizes, though availability varies by market.

Is Ace of Spades Rosé worth the price? Positioned firmly in the ultra-premium Champagne tier, it competes with the most expensive rosé cuvées in the world. Critical scores from Jancis Robinson (19/20), Decanter (93 points), and Wine Spectator (92 points) support its standing, and the labor-intensive first-press-only production method justifies its place among prestige bottlings.

Why Ace of Spades Rosé?

Few rosé Champagnes combine this level of critical recognition — 19/20 from Jancis Robinson, 93 points from Decanter, 92 from Wine Spectator — with the production rigor found in this cuvée. The exclusive use of first-press juice, old-vine still red wine aged underground in French oak, and a precise 8.5 g/L dosage create a bottling that separates itself from most prestige rosés on sheer complexity. The 50/40/10 blend of Pinot Noir, Meunier, and Chardonnay delivers both power and finesse, a balance many competitors sacrifice in one direction or the other. In a category where brand recognition often outpaces substance, this is a rosé Champagne whose reputation is underwritten by verifiable quality at every stage of production.