“Rich yet light on its feet, the Oeil de Perdrix is spellbinding in its beauty.” – Vinous

Jérôme Dehours is one of the OG pioneer grower-producers that everyone who considers themselves a “Champagne Lover” should know about. And if you love rosé, you definitely need to know about this!

Oeil de Perdrix translates to ‘partridge eye’, a reference to the gorgeous pale-pink color in the glass. Bone-dry (there is zero dosage!), its overflowing with aromas of roses, red fruit, and chalky minerality. Oh, and this 95-pointer is 35% off!!

Jérôme’s grandfather started the family winery in Vallée de la Marne in the 1930’s as a sort of FU to the big Champagne houses that refused to pay a living wage to growers at the time. Today, Dehours continues this spirit of championing the quality of their terrior and Meunier, the signature grape of the Marne. Krug agrees about the terroir – they’ve been quietly buying Meunier there for decades!

In 1996, Dehours was among the first to make Champagne from single vineyards. “The concept to put the name of the vineyard locale, or lieu-dit, on the label was pure Burgundian. But the Champagne governing council balked at the idea.” explains Wine Spectator.

They continue, “Inspired by Burgundy producers who were doing just that, Dehours quickly became part of a group of young producers revitalizing Champagne. One of his first moves was trying something almost unheard of in the region at the time: creating single-vineyard, vintage-dated crus to show off his old vineyards and their varied, cool terroirs of clay and sandy soils. The concept to put the name of the vineyard locale, or lieu-dit, on the label was pure Burgundian. But the Champagne governing council balked at the idea.”

Wine Advocate also highlights not just Dehours’s Burgundian approach, but his master of Meunier as the backbone of their Champagnes, “Located in Cerseuil, this 16-hectare domaine’s holdings—divided among 45 parcels—are situated on the left bank of the Marne, on one of its tributaries, encompassing a wide variety of expositions. In addition to cultivating his own estate-grown fruit, Jérôme Dehours supplements production with grapes sourced from an additional two hectares. Rich in clay mingled with sand and subject to landslides, these steep slopes are founded on limestone rather than chalk, with elevations ranging from 90 to 200 meters. This contributes to an equally varied geological profile. Pinot Meunier is king in this sector, and the village is a favored sourcing site for Maison Krug. It is in this context that Dehours crafts his complex, flavorsome, vinous Champagnes. In 1999, after studies in Beaune, Dehours introduced the domaine’s first oak barrels—initially secondhand, a practice he discontinued approximately 15 years ago in favor of new barrels, which he now reuses over long periods. Today, he cultivates under the vine mechanically (with two complete cultivations per year), with two to six passes between the rows, depending on seasonal conditions.”

It’s here that we have to remind you that, like most small producers, the don’t make enough to go around.

Act fast! For under $70 a bottle, this Rosé Champagne is a steal! While it lasts…

95 Points – Vinous “The NV Extra Brut Oeil de Perdrix is a stellar wine, quintessential Dehours. This release is 74% Meunier, 15% Chardonnay and 11% a perpetual reserve that goes back to 1989. Rich yet light on its feet, the Oeil de Perdrix is spellbinding in its beauty. Kirsch, rose petals, white flowers, mint, white pepper and crushed rocks are some of the many notes that grace this exquisite, ethereal Champagne. What an absolute joy it is. No dosage. Disgorged: September, 2022. Drink 2023 – 2030”

94 Jeb Dunnuk “Pale salmon pink, the NV Champagne Oeil De Pedrix Extra Brut is showing beautifully today with aromas of shortbread, almondine, and peaches. Consistently my favorite in the lineup, I enjoy the more complete nature and elegance this wine shows off, with a chalky texture that feels reigned in. Raised without oak, it’s an attractive and doughy, with a refined and pillowing mousse. This will be lovely to drink over the next 10-15 years. Drink 2024 – 2040”