Graduating from Chardonnay table wine to blanc de blancs Champagne or sparkling wine makes sense — if you have a very good one like this, made with 100% chardonnay grapes, and aged in the winery’s cellars for a couple years before being ready to drink now. The wine has some classic champagne-style notes with hearty, almost smoky yeast along with fruit in the aroma. On the palate there is honey and a bit of stone fruit that blends into the moderate acidity on the end-palate and in the finish.
Highly Recommended — BSE
WHO: Gloria Ferrer Caves & Vineyards
WHAT: 100% chardonnay
WHERE: Carneros, California, US
HOW MUCH: $50 (media sample)