Each week, I spotlight a wine that truly stands out—whether for its singular character, compelling backstory, or the sheer joy it brings in the glass. This week’s pick: the Roederer Estate Brut Rosé Anderson Valley.
This bottle is a staple in our home—dependable, elegant, and remarkably well-priced for the quality it delivers. It’s the kind of wine we feel good about opening on a special occasion or a casual weeknight, as we did this week to elevate a quick dinner. It never disappoints.
About Roederer Estate
Founded in 1982, Roederer Estate is the only Champagne house to establish its California outpost in Anderson Valley, setting itself apart from others that favor Napa or Sonoma. The valley’s coastal influence offers warm days and cool nights, enabling grapes to ripen slowly, fully expressing the estate’s terroir. Roederer Estate combines this unique terroir with its French heritage, drawing on centuries-old traditions to produce wines that reflect both Anderson Valley’s character and Roederer’s legacy of excellence.
One of the few California sparkling houses to source solely estate-grown fruit, Roederer Estate brings meticulous attention to its farming and winemaking. The process begins with an intimate understanding of the estate’s soils, and extends to organic and biodynamic vineyard practices. With detailed tracking of grape maturity, Roederer ensures a perfect balance at harvest—an approach that emphasizes quality and sustainability in every aspect of production.
Inside the Bottle: Roederer Estate Brut Rosé
This multi-vintage blend of 56% Pinot Noir and 44% Chardonnay includes 10–15% oak-aged reserve wines, which add depth and nuance. You might wonder—how does oak aging contribute to complexity in sparkling wine?
Aging reserve wines in oak allows small amounts of oxygen to gently interact with the wine. This micro-oxygenation softens edges, enhances texture, and brings out savory, layered flavors. Even after a relatively short time on the lees, the resulting wine can be more open, expressive, and complete.
Tasting note: The wine pours a pale salmon hue, achieved by blending in 3–5% Pinot Noir still wine made with extended skin contact—a technique that also adds subtle structure and red fruit character. Aromatically, it’s alive with fresh strawberry, raspberry, citrus, brioche, and a hint of baking spice. On the palate, it’s medium-bodied very fresh, and moderately complex with a creamy mousse; and flavors of apple, strawberry, raspberry, and citrus flavors with a hint of spice and savory undercurrent that adds intrigue.
- ML conversion: Zero to minimal
- Dosage: 7 g/L
- ABV: 12.5%
- SRP: $39
- Rating: 90 pts
Final Thoughts
Roederer Estate Brut Rosé is a wine we return to again and again—for its balance, beauty, and versatility. Whether paired with takeout sushi, roast chicken, or a simple bowl of popcorn, it elevates any meal with grace.
I also deeply appreciate the philosophy behind the wine—estate-grown fruit, organic and biodynamic practices, and a blend that bridges the elegance of Champagne tradition with the vitality of California terroir.
It’s not just a wine that tastes good—it’s a wine that feels good to drink.
You might also enjoy:
A fabulous champers well worthy of your WoW!