The Tarlant family has been farming the vines since 1687. Since 1999, twelfth-generation Benoît Tarlant is at the helm and has brought his family’s estate into the modern era by vinifying parcels separately and doubling down on the family’s respect for the environment. Benoît is deeply engaged in his work and passionate about all aspects of the estate—he even incorporates a diversity of extremely rare “heirloom” grapes into many of their wines (Pinot Blanc, Arbane, Petit Meslier). Across the board, Tarlant’s house style is muscular, direct, mineral-driven, and delicious. 

In the glass, Tarlant’s “Rosé Zero” shines a pale salmon with soft pink hues leading out to a silvery rim. More often than not, zero dosage Champagne have muted aromas, but this jumps out with bright red fruits, apple skins, pomegranate, raspberry, crushed chalk, white and red flowers, delicate white pepper, vanilla bean, and savory herbs. This is not a soft, rich, biscuity corporate Champagne, it is an extremely serious, intellectual and refined wine. On the palate, there is a deep, almost Chablis-like mineral core mixed with subtle notes of Rainier cherry and citrus blossoms alongside crunchy minerality. The trick to unlocking this wine’s full potential is drinking it slowly out of a wide-mouthed Champagne glass or simply an all-purpose white stem. Please open this around cellar temperature and allow it to evolve by consuming over several hours—as some carbonation blows off and the wine warms, its intricacies will deepen. Due to its structure and freshness, this attached strawberry-chicken salad mixed with pecans should be the ultimate pairing: refreshing, slightly sweet, and perfectly crunchy. Enjoy!