Now here’s something we hardly ever see – a still red wine from the Côteaux Champenois in Champagne! Located in Riceys, halfway between Burgundy and Champagne, Marie and Olivier Horiot have been making wine since 1999, known for their ultra-rare rosés from the minuscule Rosé des Riceys appellation—said to be the favourite of Louis XIV!—and incredibly evocative Champagnes, said to be the favourite of us. Lying somewhere between the voluminous aromatics of Budundy's famed Volnay and the powerful presence of Pommard, the single-vineyard, biodynamically farmed ‘En Barmont’ comes from soils that more closely resemble Burgundy and Chablis than Champagne, foreshadowing the incredible richness & generosity this wine has to offer. Weaves kirsch, morello cherry & red liquorice with tomato leaf, earthy forest & a whiff of flinty smoke, followed by the finest-grained minerality like Rihanna telling us “They’re covered in Swarovski crystals, girl.” Blessed be the occasion this wine will inevitably make your little gathering, a rarity like this must be enjoyed among fine company to be truly appreciated. Truly some of the most special wines we've tasted, ever, full stop.