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 Vintage2016 Label 1 of 19 
TypeRosé - Sparkling
ProducerUltramarine (web)
VarietyPinot Noir
DesignationSparkling Rosé
VineyardHeintz Vineyard
CountryUSA
RegionCalifornia
SubRegionSonoma County
AppellationSonoma Coast
OptionsShow neither variety nor appellation

Drinking Windows and Values
Drinking window: Drink between 2023 and 2030 (based on 3 user opinions)
Wine Market Journal quarterly auction price: See Ultramarine Pinot Noir Rose Heintz Vineyard on the Wine Market Journal.

Community Tasting History

Community Tasting Notes (average 92.1 pts. and median of 92 pts. in 45 notes) - hiding notes with no text

 Tasted by Margaux Bro on 11/6/2023 & rated 96 points: I am of the opinion that this is the best wine Cruse/Ultramarine has made. Full of balance and freshness, and it has the structure to age for many more years. Sad that I only have 1 remaining. (1728 views)
 Tasted by soyhead on 4/22/2023: spritely, fresh, and lighter than expected; not sure if I'd know its a rose and not sure I'd know it's not a champagne. very clean (2113 views)
 Tasted by Shay.Aldriedge on 4/19/2023 & rated 92 points: One of the bottles I provided for a co-hosting with Mark at the City Club wine group. The starter before Mark’s 1979 Schramsberg mag and 1980 Montelena mag.

Tasty, but I found this different than the 2014 (still haven’t popped the 2015). Salmon color in the glass with a dash of pink. Faint strawberry marscapone, red berry fruit aromatically. Layers of strawberries and a distinct mineral and rose note, but this seemed lighter and less fruit forward than the 2014. Lovely finish. I felt the 2014 had loads of time ahead of it when I had it, but for me, this seemed either in an odd spot or at a point where it’s time to enjoy. I’d wager it’s more of the former. (2178 views)
 Tasted by Gregmonroe on 4/14/2023: JD Friday Wine Group - SA and MF co-host (City Club FW): Served blind - Light pink/salmon in the glass. Bubbles everywhere, but very little mousse. Very small bubbles, but not a continual stream like many champagnes - but we tasted in white wine glasses which is probably why. Some strawberry and other red fruit on the nose. Very fruit forward on the palate, but dry. Very little residual sugar. Decently long finish. This wine was really good. It was not a typical rose champagne, but I had trouble placing it in CA, so I guessed a small grower champagne. I think that is what they are going for... (2125 views)
 Tasted by sethebarlow on 12/31/2022 & rated 88 points: Pale pink/copper in color. Lots of citrus notes and minerals. Still seems very young, and took 2+ hours to really open up. It’s clear these are of the highest quality, but Im beginning to doubt hype surrounding the label. There are generally better values to be had, so it comes down to house style on whether Ultramarine is “worth” it for you. I’ll keep my other bottles for as long as possible. These may simply be the kind that need time — and lots of it — to reach their full potential. (2246 views)
 Tasted by ginfizz on 12/15/2022 & rated 94 points: Sadly my last...must get more. A rose in name only, with zesty citrus and hints of vanilla and floral notes with a stony minerality. Tight, ebullient mousse, ageless...seems 10 years away from any sort of "apogee". I do see some variability in the wines in that some are more fruit forward while other bottles more reserved and minerally. I would definitely put this up against Comtes and others...in fact reminded me a bit of the 1996 Cristal Rose that was tight as a drum at 18 years of age. Hope to try again in like 5 years. (1877 views)
 Tasted by ginfizz on 9/29/2022 & rated 94 points: Copper toned pink, zesty citrus nose with hints of vanilla, green apple, hints of flowers. Complex. Long. More to come... (1926 views)
 Tasted by AndrewSGHall on 9/21/2022 & rated 89 points: This is good, but I also strongly felt the opportunity cost of not ordering Bouchard, V&S or Collin this evening. (2014 views)
 Tasted by Ryanzmckay on 8/9/2022 & rated 80 points: Flat
Was really surprised that this wine is sought after it drinks like a 20$ gas station rose. (2734 views)
 Tasted by jvphoto on 8/1/2022 & rated 93 points: pink grape fruit, lemon taffy, oyster shell (2267 views)
 Tasted by Ghoulardi on 7/9/2022 & rated 92 points: My second taste from Ultramarine, after trying the Blanc de Noirs a couple months ago. Folks told me the BdB and the rose were better, and my experience here certainly supports that!

This was quite pleasurable -- immediately reminiscent of Billecart-Salmon's NV rose, but with a bit more balance and 'natural' tasting. Beautiful light pink, with notes of orange zest, vanilla, and strawberry.

Remarkably creamy mouthfeel, this was super easy to but away, but suggested a depth and balance that demanded to be taken seriously. Well done. (2141 views)
 Tasted by phandel on 6/25/2022 & rated 94 points: Drank at Matterhorn SF, with J&N/M&R. Excellent mouth feel, medium+ length of finish, nice complexity - interesting things going on here. (1900 views)
 Tasted by ginfizz on 5/8/2022 & rated 93 points: Effervescent mousse that quickly settles down to a range of pinpoint bubbles. Nose is reticent with vanilla, toast?, hints of berry, melon, flowers. Palate is balanced and flavorful, medium weight. Better still after an hour. Classy. (2097 views)
 Tasted by Vino Me on 4/12/2022 & rated 93 points: Opened by Blue Oval. A light pinkish orange color. 100% Pinot Noir from a single vineyard. This artisanal producer is basically the equivalent of a grower Champagne. Very bright and fresh with a fine persistent bead. Notes of strawberries , flint and roses. Clean finish. The best California sparkling wine I have ever had. 93+ points. (2268 views)
 Tasted by jviz on 2/19/2022 & rated 92 points: Pretty interesting wine, tastes like a blanc de blancs with a small dash of pinot, resulting in a really light copper color. The mousse is not so refined, and to my palate, there’s a bit of an acrid note midway through. The wine has good complexity, mineral, and ripeness but doesn’t compete against high level rose champagnes just yet. (2493 views)
 Tasted by Rich S on 2/12/2022 & rated 94 points: Very pale copper color. Extremely light for a rose. A little tight upon initial opening but after about 30 mins really opened up a complex nose of wild strawberry, crushed rock, smoky, yeasty goodness. Similar flavors on the palate with a bit of tart citrus mixed in. Extremely fine bubbles and ripping acidity. A palate cleanser if there ever were one but really balanced and delicious. Superb sparkling rose. (2121 views)
 Tasted by Tudz Drkl on 1/27/2022: Tasting the Americans (Chez Nous): Beautiful pink/bronze color. Crystal clear and luminous. The nose is clearly red fruit - think raspberry - with yeasty and Smokey notes. On the palate, there are spicy bubbles, a great core of acidity and pure lemony raspberry fruit. Creamy in and long and clean out. Delicious. (2337 views)
 Tasted by westywines on 1/21/2022 & rated 95 points: The best Ultramarine yet. Beautiful red-orange color, fresh and crisp on the noise with yeasty almond start and strawberry finish. Beautiful before the meal and paired wonderfully with burrata and tomato salad and then farro, arugula and shrimp salad. (2217 views)
 Tasted by gsiokis on 1/2/2022 & rated 91 points: PnP. Copper-ish color, fresh, small bubbles with citrus flavors leaning towards grapefruit. Closed on opening and after about 30 mins began to open towards to its full potential. If you open now, I would suggest a 30-60 min decant. (2425 views)
 Tasted by wjl88 on 12/30/2021 & rated 87 points: Extremely intense but front loaded experience. Doesn’t have a textural structure since it all ends too fast, lots to unpack. Felt very aggressive to drink. (1689 views)
 Tasted by B Paul on 12/27/2021: Very light pink color. Red fruit but also with a strong grapefruit component that is a bit sour. This is good, though not great. I’ll hold my other bottle in hopes some additional complexity develops. (2060 views)
 Tasted by Decanting Queen on 12/24/2021: Delicious start to Christmas Eve afternoon. Not as dry as I expected but it worked for the occasion. Bubbles were nice and had great texture. Some citrus, hints of grapefruit and tangerine, blood orange. Some sweeter red fruits. I hope the ‘17s will be this good.
Just want to add that you can’t drink this expecting a classic sparkler or something champagne-like. It is different. More in the before dinner cocktail camp I would say. (3430 views)
 Tasted by tunaguy on 11/26/2021: really good stuff. red fruits, various citruses, a bit of spice and yeast. finish is long with nice acidity (2019 views)
 Tasted by hprphf on 11/18/2021 & rated 92 points: Disgorged 1.14.21. Beautiful red fruit nose, light yet compact, oxidative. 92-93 (2084 views)
 Tasted by Ticker tape guy on 10/18/2021 & rated 93 points: beautiful..fuller bodied nice rtose and strawberry flavors ..such enjoyable bubbles and a lingering after taste..just really good wine (2317 views)
 Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine...

Professional 'Channels'
By Samantha Cole-Johnson
JancisRobinson.com (12/1/2021)
(Ultramarine, Heintz Vineyard Rosé Brut Sonoma Coast Rosé) Subscribe to see review text.
NOTE: Scores and reviews are the property of JancisRobinson.com. (manage subscription channels)

CellarTracker Wiki Articles (login to edit | view all articles)

Ultramarine

Producer website

Pinot Noir

Varietal character (Appellation America) | Varietal article (Wikipedia)
Pinot Noir is the Noble red grape of Burgundy, capable of ripening in a cooler climate, which Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot will not reliably do. It is unpredictable and difficult both to grow and to vinify, but results in some of the finest reds in the world. It is believed to have been selected from wild vines two thousand years ago. It is also used in the production of champagne. In fact, more Pinot Noir goes into Champagne than is used in all of the Cote d'Or! It is also grown in Alsace, Jura, Germany, the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Romania, Switzerland, Austria, Croatia, Serbia, Italy, and so forth, with varying degrees of success.


Pinot Noir is one of the world's most prestigious grapes. It is very difficult to grow and thrives well in France, especially in Champagne and Burgundy. Pinot Noir thrives less in hot areas, is picky on soil, and deserves some oak storage.

Pinot Noir, or Blauburgunder / Spätburgunder in German, is a blue grapevine - and, as the German name suggests, the grape comes originally from Burgundy in France.

The grape, which thrives in calcareous soils, is used primarily for the production of red wine, and it is widely regarded as producing some of the best wines in the world. The wine style is often medium-bodied with high fruit acidity and soft tannins. It can be quite peculiar in fragrance and taste, and not least in structure - which may be why it is referred to as "The Grapes Ballerina".
Pinot Noir is also an important ingredient in sparkling wines, not least in champagne since it is fruity, has good acidity and contains relatively little tannins.
The grape is considered quite demanding to grow. The class itself consists of tightly packed grapes, which makes it more sensitive to rot and other diseases.

Pinot Noir changes quite easily and is genetically unstable. It buds and matures early which results in it often being well ripened. Climate is important for this type of grape. It likes best in cool climates - in warm climates the wines can be relaxed and slightly pickled.
In cooler climates, the wine can get a hint of cabbage and wet leaves, while in slightly warmer regions we often find notes of red berries (cherries, strawberries, raspberries, currants), roses and slightly green notes when the wine is young. With age, more complex aromas of forest floor, fungi and meat emerge.

In Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Hungary, it often produces light wines with less character. However, it has produced very good results in California, Oregon and New Zealand.

With its soft tannins and delicate aroma, it is excellent for white fish, chicken and light meat. For the stored wines you can serve small game. Classic duck breast is a matter of course, a Boeuf Burgundy and Pinot Noir are pure happiness.

Pinot Noir loses quality by over-harvesting.
Pinot Noir is prone to diseases, especially rot and mildew. Viruses cause major problems especially in Burgundy.
Pinot Noir are large round grapes with thin skins. Relatively high in alcohol content. Medium rich tannins and good with acid.
As a young person, Pinot Noir has a distinctly fruity character such as raspberries, cherries and strawberries.
A mature Pinot Noir, the taste is different. Cherry goes into plum and prune flavors. It smells of rotten leaves, coffee, moist forest floor and animal wine. This must be experienced.
In warm climates you find boiled plum, some rustic, little acid.
If the grapes are over-grown, the wine will be thin, with little color and flavor.

Heintz Vineyard

On weinlagen-info

USA

American wine has been produced since the 1500s, with the first widespread production beginning in New Mexico in 1628. Today, wine production is undertaken in all fifty states, with California producing 84% of all U.S. wine. The continent of North America is home to several native species of grape, including Vitis labrusca, Vitis riparia, Vitis rotundifolia, and Vitis vulpina, but the wine-making industry is based almost entirely on the cultivation of the European Vitis vinifera, which was introduced by European settlers. With more than 1,100,000 acres (4,500 km2) under vine, the United States is the fourth-largest wine producing country in the world, after Italy, Spain, and France.

California

2021 vintage: "Unlike almost all other areas of the state, the Russian River Valley had higher than normal crops in 2021, which has made for a wine of greater generosity and fruit forwardness than some of its stablemates." - Morgan Twain-Peterson

Sonoma County

Mendocino County

Sonoma Coast

* Sonoma Coast AVA (Wikipedia)
* Sonoma Coast AVA (Wine Institue)

 
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