This sparkling wine was disgorged after about four years on the lees, no dosage and estate fruit — 100% Chardonnay, with some neutral barrel aging in the mix. It’s benchmark brioche on the nose, with scouring acidity, fresh lemon and vibrant stone minerality on the palate. The mid-palate shows some richness now and promises to cream up nicely with further bottle aging, and the finish keeps pumping flavor well after the liquid is gone. A revelation on the Central Coast!
Presqu’ile, Santa Maria Valley (California) 2014
By Rich Cook