Opening the bottle, a super-fine frothy mousse pours into the glass. Earthy, bakery and a touch of cassis blossom in the aromas. The wine is surprisingly taught on the palate, with whisps of dark red berries, and a texture with both creaminess and steely acidity. This continues into the longish, lightly mineral finish.
An elegant salmon-pink color, this Sonoma sparkler is classically crafted from pinot noir and chardonnay, with a bit of pinot meunier – just the way it would be done in the Champagne region of France. The wine is aged an average of two years before dosage, then for another six months before release.
This rosé is listed as a a brut style, though it would qualify as extra brut with its less than one percent residual sugar.
WHO: J Vineyards & Winery
WHERE: Sonoma County, California
WHAT: 61% pinot noir, 35% chardonnay, 4% pinot meunier
HOW MUCH: around $45 (media sample)
RATING: 92