Priest Ranch, Napa Valley (California) 2018

 Priest Ranch’s Somerston Estate is a sprawling ranch located in the eastern uplands at the Napa Valley’s northern edge, and consists of almost 1,700 acres, 225 of which are under vine.  From grapes harvested there, this wine is made by the traditional method and aged 24 months in stainless and an additional 24 months in the bottle before release.  It is in the more-mellow mode of sparkling wines rather than in the acid intensive style, and it has a nice rush of intense bubbles at the beginning followed by keen strawberry flavors with medium body and a touch of creaminess in the finish.