Scharffenberger Brut Rosé Mendocino County Excellence NV

92 points James Suckling: "Red apples, dried orange peel and sweet flowers on the nose. Lovely depth on the medium-bodied palate. An elegant mousse keeps the mature, floral and yeasty flavors on the palate fresh and crisp. Disgorged in 2/2021. Drink now. (12/5/21)"

90 points John Gilman (View From the Cellar): "The new release of Scharffenberger’s non-vintage Brut Rosé is crafted from a cépages of fifty-five percent chardonnay and forty-five percent pinot noir, with five percent of the pinot being still red wine to produce the cuvée’s delicate salmon color. The wine’s nose is bright and complex, wafting from the glass in a mix of strawberries, quince, rye bread, a lovely base of soil, dried flowers and a lovely, delicate savory topnote. On the palate the wine is crisp, full-bodied, focused and well-balanced, with frothy mousse, a good spine of acidity and fine balance on the long and complex finish. Good juice. 2025-2040. (Nov/Dec 2024)"

90 points Wine & Spirits: "Lasting in its gentle scents of apples, buttered toast and green tea, this is a pretty wine without grand ambitions. There’s refinement to the hints of wild strawberry flavor and a smoothness to the finish. (Aug 2021)"

Producer notes: "[$30 list] Scharffenberger Rosé is made by the traditional méthode champenoise process, whereby the wines are individually bottle-fermented before being riddled and disgorged. Most of the base wines underwent malolactic fermentation, which softens and rounds out the blend. The grapes are sourced from their vineyards in the Anderson Valley as well as other premium quality vineyards in Mendocino County with whom we have long term contracts. This type of vineyard selection allows us to choose from the best vineyards in the area, which enables us to produce their trademark cuvée. The wine has a pale salmon hue with integrated aromas of fresh raspberry jam and wild strawberries on a cream covered pastry base. The flavors are layered, round, fresh, fruity and long."