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.
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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.
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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...
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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opened for 30 minutes, served at cellar temp. Orange/salmon color. Big grapefruit and blood orange nose. The blood orange note hangs on the tongue too, along with some golden apple and a little slightly baked grapefruit (only a little bitter). Nice citrus finish, but the blood orange lingers on the back. Really pleasant
Salmon color in the glass, clear looking throughout with tiny, steady beading. Nose of spice box, cherries and pears. Flavorsof cherries, raspberries and lemon curd. Bright acidity, full bodied. Drink or hold.
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On the peach side of rose colors. A bit yeasty on the nose over the fruit. There’s a depth of flavor that I wasn’t really expecting at first. The fruit has some weight to it (in a nice way), passing by riper orchard fruit into a more serious spot. It’s lifted up by decent acid, but this is (as expected) screaming for more time in the bottle to really even out and show its true potential.
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Popped and chilled an hour before service. In the glass, clear pale copper with medium-coarse bubbles. On the nose, lemons and peach. On the palate, full bodied, with orange peel, bread, more lemons, and intimations of stone fruit, maybe plums? With spring lamb and fresh green veg, excellent.
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I’m clearly in the minority here but this didn’t meet my expectations. It is bright and energetic with a fine mousse and pure fruit. But it’s also on the simple side and doesn’t have the breadth or complexity of similarly priced Champagne.
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Lots of ripe red fruit on the nose and palate, with a focused and somewhat tannic finish. There are some subtle savory / mineral undertones, but it’s perhaps a bit fruit-dominated at the moment. Delicious for sure, but might be more interesting in a year or so.
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Beautiful pale salmon color, explosive red florals, raspberry, orange peel, sous bois, extremely fine bead and mousse, long finish. I usually try to wait longer before opening Ultramarine, but this was so good straight away I say drink one now if you have a few! Disgorged 11.24.20
First impression obviously is the color...salmon, copper, ala Provencal...but what is REALLY slappin me in the face is the nose! Has an absolutely intriguing red burgundy, intoxicating crushed red berry fruits of strawberry, cherry, raspberry...earth and faint sous bois...maybe some brett funk(?)...red licorice, and chambolle-isk perfume! Wow...is this going to be a Chambolle with bubbles?!?! The palate brings you back down to earth...fresh and crisp, still with red berries...yet citrus cut and tingle...ginger and tart green apple...with a super balanced strawberry-n-cream mousse that coats...fantastic energy and length...crushed chalk and white pepper spice for a complete pile on of pleasures! Fantastic Rose' bubbles here...might be my all time fav from them!
Popped and poured after chilling in fridge. Bottles arrived at home a couple of weeks ago.
Wine is a gorgeous copper pink. Bright, clear, small bubbles. This may actually be the prettiest wine I have ever consumed.
On nose, I get orange-citrus, lemon, a touch of spice.
On palate, wine is sound. It’s not champagne, but it’s something different and very tasty. Good acid, moderate pétillante, not bone-dry, orange spice comes out in mid-palate, and a nice long finish.
Great wine! I see why people love this stuff. I hope I can stay on the list....
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Of the 2016s, this one needs time. It comes across right now like a still pinot with bubbles and will require some bottle age to let all the elements fall into place. I'd gamble this is at peak in ~3 year.
I disagree with those who say to drink one now - it would be a waste. Wait at least a year before trying one.
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Right off the truck, and this is exactly what i want & expect from ultramarine - electric, energetic, acidic pale pink with wonderful light california fruit... I like these with a few years on em, but opening one now is far from a mistake.
11/6/2023 - Margaux Bro Likes this wine: 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.
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4/22/2023 - soyhead wrote:
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
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4/19/2023 - Shay.Aldriedge Likes this wine: 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.
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4/14/2023 - Gregmonroe wrote:
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...
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12/31/2022 - sethebarlow wrote: 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.
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12/15/2022 - ginfizz wrote: 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.
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9/29/2022 - ginfizz wrote: 94 Points
Copper toned pink, zesty citrus nose with hints of vanilla, green apple, hints of flowers. Complex. Long. More to come...
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9/21/2022 - AndrewSGHall wrote: 89 Points
This is good, but I also strongly felt the opportunity cost of not ordering Bouchard, V&S or Collin this evening.
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8/9/2022 - Ryanzmckay Does not like this wine: 80 Points
Flat
Was really surprised that this wine is sought after it drinks like a 20$ gas station rose.
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8/1/2022 - jvphoto Likes this wine: 93 Points
pink grape fruit, lemon taffy, oyster shell
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7/9/2022 - Ghoulardi Likes this wine: 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.
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6/25/2022 - phandel Likes this wine: 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.
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5/8/2022 - ginfizz wrote: 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.
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4/12/2022 - Vino Me wrote: 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.
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2/19/2022 - jviz wrote: 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.
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2/12/2022 - Rich S Likes this wine: 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.
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1/27/2022 - Tudz Drkl Likes this wine:
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.
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1/21/2022 - westywines Likes this wine: 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.
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1/2/2022 - gsiokis Likes this wine: 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.
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12/30/2021 - wjl88 wrote: 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.
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12/27/2021 - B Paul wrote:
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.
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12/24/2021 - Decanting Queen Likes this wine:
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.
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11/26/2021 - tunaguy Likes this wine:
really good stuff. red fruits, various citruses, a bit of spice and yeast. finish is long with nice acidity
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11/18/2021 - hprphf wrote: 92 Points
Disgorged 1.14.21. Beautiful red fruit nose, light yet compact, oxidative. 92-93
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10/18/2021 - Ticker tape guy Likes this wine: 93 Points
beautiful..fuller bodied nice rtose and strawberry flavors ..such enjoyable bubbles and a lingering after taste..just really good wine
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8/12/2021 - adnorthup Likes this wine:
opened for 30 minutes, served at cellar temp. Orange/salmon color. Big grapefruit and blood orange nose. The blood orange note hangs on the tongue too, along with some golden apple and a little slightly baked grapefruit (only a little bitter). Nice citrus finish, but the blood orange lingers on the back. Really pleasant
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7/2/2021 - cab blends Likes this wine: 94 Points
NOT BLIND
Light rose in color. Balanced and rounded. Not too sharp or too dry. Fresh with small bubbles.
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5/26/2021 - wineismylife wrote: 93 Points
WIML93
Tasted non blind.
Salmon color in the glass, clear looking throughout with tiny, steady beading. Nose of spice box, cherries and pears. Flavorsof cherries, raspberries and lemon curd. Bright acidity, full bodied. Drink or hold.
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5/20/2021 - adnorthup Likes this wine:
On the peach side of rose colors. A bit yeasty on the nose over the fruit. There’s a depth of flavor that I wasn’t really expecting at first. The fruit has some weight to it (in a nice way), passing by riper orchard fruit into a more serious spot. It’s lifted up by decent acid, but this is (as expected) screaming for more time in the bottle to really even out and show its true potential.
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4/30/2021 - csimm wrote: 92 Points
3 days in Napa: Arkenstone, Memento Mori, Maxem, The French Laundry, Christopher Tynan, Kinsman, Harlan, Vice Versa, Accendo, Fairchild, Macdonald, and a truckload of others (Napa): A taut and refreshing Rose, with higher and lighter expressions of cranberry water, lemon pith, citrus spray, chalk, and Himalayan salt rock notes popping from the glass and nipping at the palate. Finishes lithe and tense, with an ocean spray effervescence that begs for caviar. A great way to end a heavy Napa Cab day…and, well, start right back into a heavy Cab dinner. An aperitif sparkler in its truest form.
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4/1/2021 - jshufelt wrote: 93 Points
Popped and chilled an hour before service. In the glass, clear pale copper with medium-coarse bubbles. On the nose, lemons and peach. On the palate, full bodied, with orange peel, bread, more lemons, and intimations of stone fruit, maybe plums? With spring lamb and fresh green veg, excellent.
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3/14/2021 - rc@ughey wrote: 89 Points
I’m clearly in the minority here but this didn’t meet my expectations. It is bright and energetic with a fine mousse and pure fruit. But it’s also on the simple side and doesn’t have the breadth or complexity of similarly priced Champagne.
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2/14/2021 - Sonoma-W Likes this wine: 93 Points
Smooth, crisp, excellent acidity. Salmon colored..
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1/30/2021 - rhit wrote:
Lots of ripe red fruit on the nose and palate, with a focused and somewhat tannic finish. There are some subtle savory / mineral undertones, but it’s perhaps a bit fruit-dominated at the moment. Delicious for sure, but might be more interesting in a year or so.
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12/30/2020 - Bakerbd Likes this wine: 95 Points
Beautiful pale salmon color, explosive red florals, raspberry, orange peel, sous bois, extremely fine bead and mousse, long finish. I usually try to wait longer before opening Ultramarine, but this was so good straight away I say drink one now if you have a few! Disgorged 11.24.20
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12/27/2020 - Mrbuzz Likes this wine: 96 Points
First impression obviously is the color...salmon, copper, ala Provencal...but what is REALLY slappin me in the face is the nose! Has an absolutely intriguing red burgundy, intoxicating crushed red berry fruits of strawberry, cherry, raspberry...earth and faint sous bois...maybe some brett funk(?)...red licorice, and chambolle-isk perfume! Wow...is this going to be a Chambolle with bubbles?!?! The palate brings you back down to earth...fresh and crisp, still with red berries...yet citrus cut and tingle...ginger and tart green apple...with a super balanced strawberry-n-cream mousse that coats...fantastic energy and length...crushed chalk and white pepper spice for a complete pile on of pleasures! Fantastic Rose' bubbles here...might be my all time fav from them!
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12/27/2020 - tak4 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Popped and poured after chilling in fridge. Bottles arrived at home a couple of weeks ago.
Wine is a gorgeous copper pink. Bright, clear, small bubbles. This may actually be the prettiest wine I have ever consumed.
On nose, I get orange-citrus, lemon, a touch of spice.
On palate, wine is sound. It’s not champagne, but it’s something different and very tasty. Good acid, moderate pétillante, not bone-dry, orange spice comes out in mid-palate, and a nice long finish.
Great wine! I see why people love this stuff. I hope I can stay on the list....
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12/19/2020 - jrkennedy37 wrote:
Of the 2016s, this one needs time. It comes across right now like a still pinot with bubbles and will require some bottle age to let all the elements fall into place. I'd gamble this is at peak in ~3 year.
I disagree with those who say to drink one now - it would be a waste. Wait at least a year before trying one.
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12/13/2020 - Jahull03 wrote:
Right off the truck, and this is exactly what i want & expect from ultramarine - electric, energetic, acidic pale pink with wonderful light california fruit... I like these with a few years on em, but opening one now is far from a mistake.
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