Scharffenberger Brut Excellence Rose NV
(Mendocino County, California) - [JD 93] [TP 93] [JS 92]

Notes From The Winemaker:
Scharffenberger has been pioneering super premium Mendocino California sparkling wine since 1981, with grapes sourced from Scharffenberger's own 120 acres of vineyards, as well as select vineyards belonging to trusted growers in Mendocino County. Grapes grown in Mendocino County—an unmatched appellation for sparkling wine—benefit from the cool coastal influences of the Pacific Ocean. This type of vineyard selection allows us to produce our trademark cuvée.

Winemaking:

Scharffenberger Brut Rosé Excellence is made by the méthode traditionelle process, whereby the wines are individually bottle-fermented before being riddled and disgorged. Most of the base wines underwent malolactic fermentation, which softens and rounds out the blend.

The fruit balance and color are achieved by adding between four and five percent of Pinot Noir wine to the blend before undergoing second fermentation in the bottle

Appellation: Mendocino County

Varietals: 55% Chardonnay, 45% Pinot Noir

Wine Alcohol: 12.5%

pH: 3.15

Residual Sugar: 10 g/L

Fermentation: En tirage: Two years on the yeast

Aging: Minimum of 2 years en tirage and 6 months under cork

Tasting Notes: Brilliant rose gold bubbles, delicate berry fruit aromas, and a seamless texture reveal the precision craftmanship behind this classic expression. Bold yet elegant, like a linebacker that does ballet

“Made from 55% Chardonnay and 45% Pinot Noir, the NV Rose is lovely in color and style, tasting of richly rewarding berry fruit and shortbread cookie. Rounded, creamy, and approachable in style, it will please a wide range of palates and stay fresh in the bottle for 5-8 years.”

93 Points - Tasting Panel:

“The poppy on the label of this suave blend of 55% Chardonnay and 45% Pinot Noir is a tribute to the superblooms that occur throughout California in springtime—but it also hints at the dry wine’s floral subtleties. There’s a faint touch of lilac on a nose brimming with fresh-baked sourdough, cherry, and blood orange, while rose graces the finish, preceded by splashes of wild strawberry, lemon rind, and Gala apple.”

92 Points - James Suckling

“A nicely dry and appetizing wine with a light copper color, bright fruit flavors and good balance. Flavors of white raspberries, macerated cherries and crisp cranberries light up the palate. A light body and great acidity keep it clean and fresh.”