BXT Wines, Carneros – Sonoma (California) Manley Vineyard Brut Blanc de Blancs 2021 ($55)

BXT Wines draw inspiration from grower-Champagnes, emphasizing unique vineyard sites and hand-crafted methods to produce distinctive and flavorful sparkling wines. Founded in 2019 by husband-and-wife duo Brittany and Tom Sherwood, BXT blends their expertise—Brittany as winemaker at Heitz and Tom at Rocca Family. While their main focus has been red wine, they ventured into sparkling wines as a creative exploration, resulting in this small-scale, traditional-method project in California. The vineyards involved are spread from the Sacramento Delta to the Petaluma Gap, from the Napa Valley to San Benito County. With a production of only around 800 cases per year, BXT wines are a rare find. Their spring release is available exclusively to mailing list members. In my opinion, it’s some of the best sparkling wine in California, rivaled only by a few select producers like Ultramarine, though BXT offers exceptional value in comparison. The 2021 Manley Vineyard Brut Blanc de Blancs offers a fascinating balance of oxidative and reductive qualities, with a clean expression of fruit—citrus blossom, baked pear, and a touch of lemon. The finish brings crushed rock minerals, subtle sea spray, and hints of chalk, making for an incredibly complex yet refreshing experience.
95 Miranda Franco