The estate’s 1999 Rose Cuvee William Deutz is an intense powerful wine packed with super-ripe, candied fruit. This is a surprisingly intense Rose, but ultimately the wine comes across as somewhat monolithic and lacking the elegance of the house’s finest Champagnes . The blend is 75% Pinot Noir and 25% Chardonnay, all from grand cru villages. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2014. Admittedly it has been a few years since I last tasted the Deutz Champagnes, so I was not fully prepared for the consistently outstanding quality of virtually all these new releases. Although Deutz has been owned by Roederer since 1992, this is the only property in the group that is run in an autonomous fashion, as the Rouzaud family didn’t want to risk losing the estate’s unique identity by consolidation winemaking functions. The Deutz Champagnes undergo full malolactic fermentation and at their best offer a polished, creamy style that drinks well early but that can also age. Importer: Maison Marques & Domaines, Oakland, CA; tel. (510) 587-2000
Published: Dec 22, 2008