When you put a lot of great vineyards making expensive wines in a tiny hilltop region, some conflict will inevitably result — especially when the wine is a long-aged red wine that has been chronicled for over 450 years.
At this price point this is a by-the-case buy and is Recommended (88).
The color is very pretty and bright, ruby with a fizz of bubbles. The nose is rose petals and sweet strawberries. This is definitely a sweet sparkler, a fizzy blend of raspberry and strawberry sherbert, with a little rosewater making a floral appearance on the mid-palate. There is a surprising amount of acid for such an moderately priced sweet wine, suggesting it might be food friendly if paired with a moderately sweet creamy dessert, perhaps a raspberry-topped creme brulee. The goal in such a pairing is to match and complement, rather than contrast. Recommended. DH