Scharffenberger Brut Rosé Excellence Mendocino County 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 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)"

90 points Connoisseurs' Guide: "Just as it did in last year's survey of sparkling wines, Scharffenberger's Brut Rosé once again impresses with its fine combination of deep, slightly juicy, very well-stated fruit and integral autolysis. It is a deftly balanced wine with a steady, very long-lasting stream of tiny bubbles, and, although we continue to be happily surprised at the number of affordable sparklers that merit "Good Value" recommendation, this wine's buoyancy, intricate layering and careful crafting earns it an especially enthusiastic nod as nothing less than an out-and-out steal at the price. (Dec 2020)"

Producer notes: "51% Pinot Noir (5% red wine), 49% Chardonnay. Scharffenberger Brut Rosé Excellence is made by the méthode traditionelle 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 our 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 our trademark cuvée. The fruit balance and color are achieved by adding between four and five percent of Pinot Noir wine to the blend before undergoing second fermentation in the bottle. 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."