- > The Fifth Annual Largest Blind Tasting of American Sparkling Wine
The Fifth Annual Largest Blind Tasting of American Sparkling Wine
Tasted Wednesday, December 21, 2022 by The Drunken Cyclist with 132 views
Flight 1 (4 Notes)
Flight 2 (4 Notes)
2019 Brooks Muscat Terue 92 Points
USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Eola - Amity Hills
Retail $35. 92% Orange Muscat, 8% Early Muscat. Straw to a bit golden in color with a really aromatic nose of tree fruit and orange blossom. I'm pretty sure this has to be the Muscat. The palate is quite fruity but completely dry. And awesome. This is unlike most sparklers, a daring varietal choice for a sparkling wine, and that is not a bad thing. 92 Points.
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2015 Roederer Estate L'Ermitage Brut 92 Points
USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley
Retail $68. 52% Chardonnay, 48% Pinot Noir. Pale straw color in the glass with a lovely nose of lemon rind and tree fruit. Nice fruit on the palate as well along with great acidity, some salinity, and minerality. Very nice. 92 Points.
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NV Gruet Winery Brut 88 Points
USA, New Mexico
Retail $15. 75% Chardonnay, 25% Pinot Noir. Quite light, nearly colorless in the glass. Not much coming from the nose either, and quite dry, on the verge of austere on the palate. 88 Points.
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2016 Brooks Sparkling Riesling 93 Points
USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
Retail $55. 100% Riesling. Straw to yellow in color. Peach and pear a go-go on the nose with a hint of petrol. Great fruit and wonderful balance, the finish is killer. Very nice. 93 Points.
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Flight 3 (4 Notes)
NV Korbel Brut California Champagne 90 Points
USA, California
Retail $14. Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, French Colombard, Pinot Noir. Pale straw with a nice sparkle. Quite shy with a hint of lemon. The palate is much fruitier, with nice citrus, a hint of sweetness, but it all works. 90 Points.
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2019 Stephen Ross Pinot Noir Blanc de Noir 91 Points
USA, California, Central Coast, San Luis Obispo County
Retail $55. 100% (?) Pinot Noir. Pale straw in color with lovely bubbles and hints of croissant. Nice. Lovely on the palate with nice acidity and balance. A little lacking in fruit, but this is very nice. 91 Points.
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2013 Left Coast Estate Blanc de Noir Sparkling Flawed
USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
Retail $55. 100% Pinot Noir. Pale straw color with an odd nose, a bit briny, close to pickle juice. Unfortunately, the palate is not much better. Really tart with that odd flavor matching the nose. I have had this wine a few times now, and the first few were Very Good to Excellent. Something is off with this bottle. Unrated.
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NV Domaine Chandon Brut 89 Points
USA, California
Retail $26. 73% Chardonnay, 26% Pinot Noir, 1% Pinot Meunier. Quite pale with another odd nose, almost like a hair dryer hair thing going on. The palate is ten times better, though, with great fruit, acid, and balance. 89 Points.
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Flight 4 (4 Notes)
2018 Elk Cove Vineyards Brut Mount Richmond 90 Points
USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Yamhill-Carlton
Retail $70. 56% Pinot Noir, 44% Chardonnay. Straw to yellow with a fervent sparkle. A shy nose with some interesting notes of really tart lemon and lychee. The palate is tart, fruity, and lengthy. Nice.
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2018 Elk Cove Vineyards Blanc de Blancs Goodrich Vineyard 90 Points
USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Yamhill-Carlton
Retail $70. 100% Chardonnay. Pale straw with a lovely nose of peach, lemon, and some croissant. The palate leans toward austere, though, with nice acidity and a flinty aspect. 90 Points.
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2019 Sokol Blosser Bluebird Cuveé 92 Points
USA, Oregon
Retail $32. "A proprietary assemblage of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Riesling, Müller- Thurgau, Muscat." 100% Willamette Valley. Pale straw with mostly green apple on the nose. Fantastic on the palate with really tart fruit, a nice balance, and a lengthy finish. Yum. 92 Points.
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NV Gloria Ferrer Brut Sonoma County 91 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County
Retai $20. 85% Pinot Noir, 15% Chardonnay. Pale straw in color with tiny bubbles and a somewhat "dirty" (i.e., flinty) lemon nose. Quite nice on the palate with plenty of fruit and tartness. Nice. 91 Points.
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Flight 5 (4 Notes)
2011 Gloria Ferrer Carneros Cuvée 95 Points
USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros
Retail $82. 55% Pinot Noir & 45% Chardonnay. 8 years on lees. Straw in color in the glass with peach and a touch of apple. Quite lovely on the palate. Whoa. In fact. Some fruit but oodles of complexity and length. Really, really nice. I am guessing some age here? 95 Points.
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NV Mumm Napa Brut Prestige 92 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
Retail $24. 45% Chardonnay, 45% Pinot Noir, 10% Pinot Gris & Pinot Meunier. Straw color with lovely apple: Golden Delicious and a touch of Granny Smith. The palate is a bit austere initially, but the fruit comes in on the mid-palate and lasts to the lengthy finish. Nice. 92 Points.
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2015 Domaine Carneros Le Rêve 93 Points
USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros
Retail $125. 100% Chardonnay. Light straw in the glass with a delicate sparkle and a citrusy lemon-lime mix that is compelling. The palate is fruity, balanced, and quite nice. A very well done domestic sparkler. 93 Points.
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2018 Korbel Natural Méthode Champenoise 87 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
Retai $16. 65% Pinot Noir, 35% Chardonnay. Medium straw in color wth almost an apple cider aspect on the nose. That carries on to the palate. Not offensive by any means, but certainly a "ripe" vibe going on here. 87 Points.
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Flight 6 (4 Notes)
NV Pine Ridge Vineyards Sparkling Chenin Blanc Viognier 93 Points
USA, California
Retail $18. 96% Chenin Blanc, 4% Viognier. Quite citrusy in a really pale straw wine with green apple and peach. A lot of fruit going on. The palate? Whoa. Sure, really fruity, and just a hint of sweetness, but this is really balanced and just delicious. 93 Points.
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NV Gloria Ferrer Blanc de Blancs 92 Points
USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros
Retail $25. 100% Chardonnay. Pale straw color with a nose that is quite shy, a bit of citrus? Maybe? Tart and mineral on the palate, but the fruit is initially a bit hard to find. On second taste, the wine came to life with lovely fruit, great acidity, good balance, and a lengthy finish. 92 Points.
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2020 Boundary Breaks Vineyard Riesling Bubbly Dry No.356 92 Points
USA, New York, Finger Lakes
Retail $20. Under screw cap. 100% Riesling. Straw to yellow in color with some petrol notes (giving away its variety) on the nose along with granny smith. Wonderful palate, really acidic but enough sweetness to calm it down. 92 Points.
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2016 Domaine Carneros Brut Late Disgorged 93 Points
USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros
Retail $58. 57% Chardonnay, 43% Pinot Noir. Closer to yellow than straw in color, and quite biscuity and yeasty on the nose. Holy cow. Rich, layered, tart fruit of tangerine on the palate with a lengthy finish. Really nicely done. 93 Points.
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Flight 7 (3 Notes)
NV Korbel Blanc de Noirs - Methode Champenoise 91 Points
USA, California
Retail $13. Pinot Noir, Gamay, Zinfandel, Sangiovese. Almost a rosé in color with a lovely nose of strawberry and yeast. Really fruity on the palate with what seems like a touch of sweetness, but it works, at least for me. 91 Points
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2012 Gloria Ferrer Carneros Cuvée 94 Points
USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros
Retail $88. 54% Pinot Noir, 46% Chardonnay. Straw to yellow in color with apple and pear coming through as well as a decided mineral note on the nose. The palate is driven by the acidity, with good fruit and the slightest touch of sweetness to balance out the considerable tartness. Whoa. Really fantastic. 94 Points.
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2019 Laetitia Winery Brut Coquard 93 Points
USA, California, Central Coast, Arroyo Grande Valley
Retail $47. No clue on the varietal composition here. Oddly, a bit of earth on the nose with some citrus and pineapple. The palate as well is almost earthy with good fruit and a really killer finish. Whoa. 93 Points.
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Flight 8 (2 Notes)
2017 Flaunt Wine Company 96 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
Retail $48. 58% Pinot Noir, 42% Chardonnay. Straw to yellow in color with the nose? Whoa. Yeasty, complex, holy cow. As scrumptious as the nose was, the palate might be better. Rich, layered, complex, yeasty. Holy cow. 96 Points.
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NV Roederer Estate Brut Anderson Valley 93 Points
USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley
Retail $28. 60% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir. Pale straw in color with a fine sparkle and another fabulous nose. Rich and layered and quite biscuity. Luckily, the palate is also fantastic, quite tart with tons of lemon. Yum. 93 Points.
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Flight 9 (4 Notes)
2021 Bending Branch Winery Texas Frizzante Rosé Wine 89 Points
USA, Texas
Retail $25. Information about this wine is scant on their website, but it seems as though it is carbonated, not traditional method. Medium pink with some orange undertones. Muted nose but some rich red fruit does eventually come through. Maybe a bit medicinal? That medicinal note comes through on the palate as well, but so does a ton of that red fruit. 89 Points.
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NV Laetitia Winery Brut Rosé 93 Points
USA, California, Central Coast, Arroyo Grande Valley
Retail $39. 65% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir. Fairly light in color, almost a Provençal pink with some peach and red berry fruit. Quite fantastic on the palate with impeccable balance between the luscious fruit and the zingy acidity. Whoa. 93 Points.
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2016 Raptor Ridge Pinot Noir Brut Rosé 88 Points
USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
Retail $50. 100% Pinot Noir. Fairly dark for a rosé, but not quite a light red. Despite considerable coaxing, not much on the nose here. Not much fruit on the palate either, but decent acidity and notable minerality. 88 Points.
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2018 Gloria Ferrer Brut Rosé 92 Points
USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros
Retail $54. 90% Pinot Noir & 10% Chardonnay. Very light pink, maybe lighter than your average rose from Provence. Faint wild strawberry on the nose, but much fruitier on the palate, quite nice with nice tartness, particularly on the finish. 92 Points.
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Flight 10 (4 Notes)
2020 Pedernales Cellars Kyla 88 Points
USA, Texas, Texas Hill Country
Retail $35. Tempranillo Pet Nat. Light to Medium color with a dirty wild strawberry nose and maybe some peach. Fervent sparkle and plentgy of tartness on the palate, with decent fruit. Very Good. 88 Points.
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NV Domaine Chandon Sparkling Rosé 92 Points
USA, California
Retail $24. 73% Chardonnay, 26% Pinot Noir, 1% Pinot Meunier. Light to medium color with a peach/cherry nose with a touch of funk. No funk on the palate, which is actually quite lovely: good fruit, acid, depth. Nice. 92 Points.
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NV Roederer Estate Brut Rosé Anderson Valley 95 Points
USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley
Retail $36. 56% Pinot Noir, 44% Chardonnay. Light to medium, with a scrumptious nose: sweet nectarine and cherry. Fantastic on the palate as well with a near-perfect balance of red fruit, zingy acidity, and layers of complexity. Yowza. Fantastic. 95+ Points.
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NV Domaine Carneros Cuvée de la Pompadour Brut Rosé 94 Points
USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros
Retail $42. 60% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay. Fairly light in color with a funky nose (I love the funk), with not much fruit at least initially. The palate, though, explodes with fruit on the palate, with a near perfect balance. Outstanding. 94 Points.
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Flight 11 (4 Notes)
2017 Stoller Pinot Noir Legacy LaRue's Brut Rose 92 Points
USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills
Retail $65. 84% Pinot Noir, 16% Chardonnay. More of a fairly light orange than a pink with some faint peach and strawberry notes on the nose. This feels like there might be some age as I am getting an oxidative note along with really tart (and abundant) fruit. Salinity. I like it. But everyone else might not. 92 Points.
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2017 Raptor Ridge Pinot Noir Brut Rosé 93 Points
USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
Retail $50. 100% Pinot Noir. Another wine that is perhaps more orange than pink with a ripe red fruit nose and hints of celery. The palate is quite nice, mineral, earthy, with nice fruit and great acidity. Yeah. Whoa. 93 Points.
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NV Chemistry Pinot Noir Rosé Bubbles 90 Points
USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
Retail $25. 100% Pinot Noir. Fruity and fun on this medium colored wine. The palate follows the lead of the nose and is fruity, fun and well-made. Yeah, I could drink the heck out of this. 90 Points.
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NV Korbel Sweet Rosé 88 Points
USA, California
Retail $16. Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Sangiovese, Gamay, Chenin Blanc. Cotton candy pink, with a cherry Jolly Rancher vibe on the nose. Tons of fruit, quite sweet on the palate. This has its place and those who are in that place would love the heck out of it. 88 Points.
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Flight 12 (4 Notes)
2018 Elk Cove Vineyards Pinot Noir Brut Rosé La Bohème 93 Points
USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Yamhill-Carlton
Retail $60. 100% Pinot Noir. Fairly dark in color with darker red fruit (black cherry, maybe even plum) on the nose, while the palate is quite fruity with great acidity, and balance. Outstanding. 93 Points.
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NV Gloria Ferrer Blanc de Noirs Rosé 93 Points
USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros
Retail $25. 90% Pinot Noir, 10% Chardonnay. Really light in color, barely a rosé. Floral, fruity, but also shy. Another lovely wine on the palate. Holy cow: great balance between the fruit and acidity, the right amount of dosage. Outstanding. 93 Points.
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2016 Stoller Pinot Noir Legacy LaRue's Brut Rose 92 Points
USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills
Retail $65. 80% Pinot Noir, 20% Chardonnay. Quite funky on the nose which might be due to the age? Almost no color. Great tartness, the fruit is a bit oxidized, and a lengthy finish. I like it. 92 Points.
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2019 Gloria Ferrer Brut Rosé 93 Points
USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros
Retail $62. 92% Pinot Noir & 8% Chardonnay. Really light cotton candy with a sweet ripe strawberry nose. Really lovely palate with tons of fruit. Not sweet, but ripe and wonderful. 93 Points.
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Flight 13 (4 Notes)
NV Scharffenberger Brut Rosé 92 Points
USA, California, North Coast, Mendocino County
Retail $29. 55% Chardonnay, 45% Pinot Noir. Light pink in the glass with some orange notes. Beautiful fruity nose of strawberry and cherry. The palate is fruity, tart, mineral, and complex. Very nice. 92 Points.
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2016 Left Coast Estate Pinot Meunier Estate Brut Rosé 90 Points
USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
Retail $55. Quite light in color with just a slight orange hue. A bit “flinty” on the nose with wild strawberry and perhaps black cherry. Tart on the palate, almost overly so, but there is enough fruit on the mid-palate and finish to combat all that acid. 90 Points.
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NV Mumm Napa Brut Rosé 91 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
Retail $24. 80% Pinot Noir, 20% Chardonnay. Light pink with strawberry and peach at the front of the nose. Quite nice on the palate with a lovely balance and just the right amount of dosage. 91 Points.
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2017 Sokol Blosser Pinot Noir Sparkling Rosé Blossom Ridge 89 Points
USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Eola - Amity Hills
Retail $64. 100% Pinot Noir. Quite light in color with just a hint of orange. The nose is mostly peach with a touch of lemon. The palate is quite dry and the fruit is rather sour, leading to a lengthy finish. 89 Points.
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2017 Brooks Sparkling Riesling 92 Points
USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
Retail $55. Straw close to golden with a faint sparkle. Great nose which is quite yeasty with some peach and a hint of petrol. Well balanced and just a a bit sweet on the mid-palate. Not quite extra dry, but close. Good fruit and balance. Pretty sure this is a Riesling. Excellent.
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NV Mumm Napa Blanc de Blancs 90 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
Retail $24. 90% Chardonnay, 10% Pinot Gris. Pale straw color with a shy nose. Some yeastiness and a hint of fruit. Quite dry and mineral on the palate with reserved fruit and a bit of salinity. Very nice. 90 Points.
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2018 Domaine Carneros Brut 91 Points
USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros
Retail $35. 53% Pinot Noir, 44% Chardonnay, 3% Pinot Gris. Pale straw in color with plenty of citrus on the nose (more lime than lemon). The fruit is a bit shy on the palate, but quite tart, with really good acidity and a lengthy finish. 90 Points.
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NV Scharffenberger Brut Excellence 95 Points
USA, California, North Coast, Mendocino County
Retail $23. 60% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir. Straw to almost golden in color and quite biscuity on the nose. The palate for me is close to gangbusters with great fruit, that autolytic (yeasty) component that I really seek out, and a lengthy finish. 95 Points.
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