Lilbert-Fils Champagne Blanc de Blancs Brut Grand Cru Cramant 2004
This lovely 2004 Grand Cru Grower Champagne from Lilbert-Fils. The site is only 3.5 hectares, so, on the petite side, though that is certainly not the case in terms of what this bubbly delivers. Wonderful nose that reminds me of fresh, toasted raisin bread slathered in butter along with citrusy, minerally notes. Piercing acidity on […]
Soter Mineral Springs Brut Rosé 2011
I was pleasantly surprised by this sparkling blend of 90% Chardonnay and 10% Pinot Noir. The 2011 Mineral Springs Brut Rosé has spent three years en tirage, further it’s hand riddled and production is limited to 50 cases. Salmon-hued with a delicate mousse, it’s a lovely juxtaposition between fruit and brisk acidity. Racy tangerine and […]
Schramsberg Brut Rosé 2012
Ebullient and certainly not lacking in verve, the 2012 Schramsberg Brut Rosé 2012 is a testament to what cool climate viticulture in Carneros and the Sonoma and Marin coastal AVAs can achieve. As with the other Schramsberg sparkling wines I’ve sampled, this lovely rosé manages to be delicate and focused with pretty overtones of sweet […]
Schramsberg Blanc De Blancs Brut 2012
While chatting with winemaker and proprietor, Hugh Davies, I asked him what he thought about zero dosage, extra brut sparkling wines. He told me that his wines have more than enough acidity due to cooler maritime climate, after tasting the Blanc de Blancs I’m inclined to agree. A shift in the 1.0g/L dosage would indeed […]
Gloria Ferrer Royal Cuvée Brut Méthode Champenoise 1987
I attended a tasting that featured a Royal Cuvée vertical hosted by winemaker, Steven Urberg last week. It was fascinating to see the evolution of the style of this Sonoma Brut, but also to taste wines from vintages spanning more than 20 years. The 1987 is mature, austere, and sports higher acidity than the rest. […]
Gloria Ferrer Royal Cuvée Brut Méthode Champenoise 1990
Another wine from last week’s vertical tasting of the Royal Cuvée Brut. The 1990 is noticeably less austere than the 1987—the winemaker wanted to illustrate the progress in style from a more austere wine to one that is endowed with more fruit and slightly softer acid. It’s well-developed with aromas of candied orange peel, bruised […]
Gloria Ferrer Carneros Cuvée 2004
The newly-released 2004 Gloria Ferrer Carneros Cuvée is a lively blend of 53% Pinot Noir and 47% Chardonnay. I spent a full day touring the facility and estate vineyards and was impressed by the care and labor that goes in to crafting their sparkling wines. The 2004 displays ripe red fruit and pleasing biscuit notes […]
Clos Cazals Champagne Grand Cru Blanc De Blancs Extra Brut 2002
From the sublime 2002 vintage, the Clos Cazals Grand Cru Blanc De Blancs Extra Brut is fabulous. Suffuse, enveloping notes of apple tartin, toasted hazelnuts, molasses, and creme sherry allude to a wine of serious character. And indeed, it’s taught as a drawn bow, with the sort of tension that is only eased in a […]
Renardat-Fache Alain Bugey Cerdon Fache Rosé Sparkling 2013
My first wine from the Savoie region of France, the 2013 Renardat-Fâche Wine of the Bugey Cerdon Sparkling Rosé is a charming semi-dry, with perky bubbles and lilting, expressive notes of red raspberries and juicy Balaton cherries cradled in a bouquet of heirloom roses . It’s the color of pint taffeta, that’s exactly shade found […]
Henri Giraud Champagne Argonne 2004
I found myself seated next to Claude Giraud on the final morning of #IPNC (the International Pinot Noir Celebration). I had interviewed him the day before about his research, which made this bottle all the more special. Precise and ebullient, the very picture of lightness and energy, with the nose and palate conjoined in exquisite harmony. […]