Besson Franck Beaujolais Rose Granit Méthode Traditionnelle 2011
Sourced from 100% 45-year-old Gamay Black vines grown in granitic sand, hence the name, this unique sparkling rosé walks a very fine line between funk and fruit. Ripe strawberries and plump market raspberries are unarthed, once a gets past damp spring soil, that walk through the barn in sodden boots (and yes, I had a […]
Gruet Brut Rosé
You have to admire what the proprietors of Gruet have accomplished—a husband and wife team from France, both had dreamed of producing a high-quality sparkling wine using méthode champenoise. Planting vines at high-altitude in New Mexico was, admittedly a gamble, and they’ve succeeded. Perhaps even more remarkable, they produce a lovely bubbles for under $20.00. […]
Carpenè Malvolti Conegliano Valdobbiadene Superiore Extra Dry Prosecco NV
I picked up a dainty and modestly priced half bottle of Prosecco for lunch. It’s lightly perfumed with ripe d’Anjou pear and white peach along with the faintest top note of dried honey and wildflowers. I appreciate that it’s extra dry—as it comes across as less sappy than is typical for Prosecco, with a bit […]
Doyard-Mahé Champagne Carte d’Or Brut 2007
The Doyard Mahe 2007 is citrus driven and clean, with tantalizing notes of lemon balm, lemon curd, white flowers and golden delicious apple. Light and twinkling, with a fine mousse and persistent finish that seems to have just a touch of sweetness. Champagne Doyard-Mahé 8.9 Points
Bérêche et Fils Champagne Campania Remensis Extra Brut Rosé
Confession: I have a soft spot for Bérêche. I’ve tasted the Campania Remensis Rosé NV on more than one occasion, though this is the Extra Brut, with notably more focus and mineral verve than the regular Brut. What it shares, however, is joyous complexity, and a hue that is the exact color of ripe nectarines. […]
Larmandier-Bernier Champagne Vieille Vigne De Cramant Grand Cru NV
The Vieille Vigne De Cramant Grand Cru NV is a rounder, fuller Larmandier-Bernier, brimming over with with ripe fruit character. Luscious notes of red apple skins, buttered croissant, rum cake and smoke. Dark gold in the glass, with a fine, fine mousse and a lovely touch of age. It’s quite sensual, modestly fleshy and graced […]
Larmandier-Bernier Terre de Vertus Champagne Premier Cru NV
Larmandier-Bernier is a small, biodynamic producer, and one that has impressed me as of late—the Terre de Vertus Premier Cru NV boasts attractive aromas of buttered toast, marzipan, baklava, golden delicious apples, and stone fruit. This is a zero-dosage Champagne, that is light on it’s feet, as one might expect, with limestone, chalk and lemon […]
Nicolas Maillart Marie-Hanze Champagne Eaux Belle Brut NV
Nicolas Maillart’s Marie-Hanze Rosé Champagne Eaux Belle Brut is a blend of 60% Pinot Noir, 30% Pinot Meunier, and 10% Chardonnay. Soft, and lightly-styled, the nose exhibits delicate aromas of graham cracker, tart cherries, cherry blossoms, and red skinned apples. On the palate, it comes across as retiring and shy, with moderate acidity, red berries, […]
Moët & Chandon Champagne Dom Pérignon Oenothèque 1996
Oenothèque differs from the regular Dom Pérignon Brut in that bottles are aged on the cork, rather than on crown-seals, it also receives a lower dosage following disgorgement. As such this is a flawless Oenothèque. It reminds me of Michelangelo’s Davide in all that it communicates—timeless, there is lightness of form and yet the gravity […]
Philippe Gonet Champagne Rosé Brut NV
Tasted during Sunday’s Bubbly Pink seminar at Pebble Beach Food & Wine, the panel, by the was fantastic and included the likes of Ian Cauble. My favorite from the tasting was the Philippe Gonet Champagne Rosé Brut, a complex and earthy blend of 90% Chardonnay from Mesnil-sur-Oger and 10% Pinot Noir sourced from Vertus on […]