April 24, 2024 - Ultra pale salmon color. Split bottle between the 3 of us from the list at Geronimo. This fit the bill nicely tonight. It's been awhile since I've had this and I will say it is my favorite of their lineup. Very fine and aggressive bead greets you from the start; lovely red strawberries, subtle pic crust, and yeast on the enticing nose. The palate is light, but well defined and very finessed. I love the pretty red berries, more strawberry, but still ripe raspberry comes through as well, dry, light and tingly, medium plus finish. Really enjoyed this, and I do need to add this to our summer repertoire at the very least.
April 2, 2024 - Retail $16. Very Heavy Bottle (887g; 1lb 15oz). 100% Pinot Noir. OK. I am not going to lie: we bought a *ton* of this wine to serve my father-in-law when my wife's parents come over for dinner. Since they live a mere 250 feet away (not advised. At. All.), they come over often. Really often. Look, I love my in-laws, they really are fantastic, truly. But if I have the ball on my 20 yard-line, they are closer than a touchdown, and barely further than a couple of first downs. That is a bit daunting, if I am going to be honest. As for the wine? Always solid, always a good value, and always "good enough" to convince my FIL that it is actually a much more expensive champagne.
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January 14, 2024 - Gruet never disappoints. Affordable, tasty bubbles that are readily available. This worked very well with fish and chips – yes, you read that right!
December 9, 2023 - The Sixth Annual World's Largest Blind Tasting of American Sparkling Wine (Houston, Texas): Retail $17. 100% Pinot Noir. Fairly light in color in the glass with a bit of minerality and savory notes. Subtle fruit on the palate, but this certainly works. Quite fervent sparkle, nice. Excellent. 91 Points.
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July 3, 2023 - Acquired 2 years ago, disappointing for most of my family group tonight. Some claimed it was too “sweet” others thought it a little bitter. I thought it was pretty much as expected. Lightly fruity, yeasty and yes a touch of RS but wholly reasonable for its price point. I think I have spoiled my family with too much great wine!
June 10, 2023 - Nose of raspberry, strawberry, and spring flower bouquet, medium/big body, tasty, almost mouth filling, paired with Grilled Salmon, not the best bottle I have enjoyed, Safeway find so probably mediocre storage, long finish.
May 18, 2023 - Pours an Aperol/Campari orange. Has a slightly buttery/brioche nose. Palate is really bitter and slightly sweet with some minerality. Tastes almost like an aperol spritz with an orange slice. Interesting for the price, but probably won't buy again (except maybe for making a spritz!)
May 14, 2023 - Not much aromatics - only some sur lie notes. Quite hard on the palate. Bitter.
May 13, 2023 - Very light bouquet, not much to get here. Noticeable sur lie. Hard mousse. Slightly bitter w. fruit forward. Not bad but very generic.
February 14, 2023 - Nose of raspberry, strawberry, and spring flower bouquet, big body, tasty, mouth filling, paired with Fleming Crab Cakes, delicious, terrific start to Valentine's Day Dinner, lovely finish.