WTN: Calvet Crémant de Bordeaux Brut Rosé

[Robin Garr]

Calvet 2017 Crémant de Bordeaux Brut Rosé ($16.99)

A pretty light pink color, Calvet 2017 Crémant de Bordeaux Brut Rosé pours up with a frothy mousse. Good raspberry scent adds a pleasant hint of cocoa suggesting Pinot Noir as the contributor to the wine's rosy shade. Crisp, fresh and acidic flavor with modest 12.5% alcohol, shifting to darker currant and cherry fruit in a foamy mouthfeel. An attractive bubbly, made in the traditional Champagne format in Bordeaux. U.S. importer: An Acquitaine Wine Exclusive imported by Calvet USA, Miami. (April 24, 2021)

FOOD MATCH: Fine for sipping as an aperitif, according to the producer, who also suggests that its fruit notes pair well with "delicate tarts and fruit cocktails." I'm pretty sure they don't mean the canned variety. It went well for us with a variety of snacks at a spring garden party.

WHEN TO DRINK: This 2017 model is still delicious, but there's no benefit in long-term cellaring.

VALUE:
Compared with the prices for even everyday Champagne, this Bordeaux-made cousin offers real value at Wine-Searcher.com's $18 average U.S. retail.

WEB LINK:
Here's an English-language fact sheet from producer Calvet.
Distributor Aquitaine Wine Co. offers a detailed fact sheet (pdf) at this link.

FIND THIS WINE ONLINE:
Check prices and find vendors for Calvet Crémant de Bordeaux Brut Rosé on Wine-Searcher.com.

Follow this Wine-Searcher link for more information about Crémant de Bourdeaux and listings for many more wines in this style.

Interested in more wines from the French negoçiant Calvet? You'll find info and listings at this Wine-Searcher link.

Calvet, along with Cruse, Cordier, Barton & Guestier......, is a name which has disappeared from my radar screen. When I started my wine hobby, these were big powers in the Bordeaux world and were impossible to ignore. It is interesting to see that Calvet is still around. Looking at your link, it seems as if they are nowadays in much more down-market wines than 50+ years ago. How the mighty are fallen!

Top Burgundian négociants like Louis Latour, Jadot, Chanson, Bouchard P&F, Faiveley....seem to have withstood the test of time much better.

[Robin Garr]

Tim, true not doubt. And yet it was a fine cheap bubbly, certainly superior to most of the Italian, Spanish, and American alternatives in its price range.

suggesting Pinot Noir as the contributor to the wine's rosy shade

.

But 100% Cabernet Franc according to Calvet's website or 90% Cabernet Franc, 10% Merlot according to US importer for 2017 vintage.

Calvet, along with Cruse, Cordier, Barton & Guestier......, is a name which has disappeared from my radar screen.

Mine too, not had wines bearing those names for yonks, except Ch Talbot which was Cordier I think.

[Robin Garr]

Peter, that's odd about the varieties. The wine merchant, who has all sorts of WSET certificates, told me it was Pinot Noir, and that subtle cocoa note usually says "Pinot" to me in pink bubbly. Further, the back label is silent on the cuvee. I guess I should have dug further, but there didn't seem to be a reason to do so, d'oh!

Calvet, along with Cruse, Cordier, Barton & Guestier......, is a name which has disappeared from my radar screen.

Mine too, not had wines bearing those names for yonks, except Ch Talbot which was Cordier I think.

Château Gruaud-Larose also, IIRC. RVF's guide states that Talbot's present owner is Nancy Bignon-Cordier. Both are estates whose wines I like. I recall some complaining about a Cordier stink in both wines but it never troubled me.

Peter, that's odd about the varieties. The wine merchant, who has all sorts of WSET certificates, told me it was Pinot Noir

Because it is a Bordeaux appellation wine, I wouldn't think it could be Pinot.

Your merchant carries all sorts of wine and could have had a momentary brain jam; if you go back and ask the same question about the wine, you'll probably get a different answer.

Finding a Pinot taste because you were expecting Pinot shows the power of suggestion. Retry the wine knowing it is Cabernet Franc and see if you get the same flavours .