Description
Scharffenberger Brut Excellence | Méthode Traditionnelle | Mendocino County, California
A benchmark California sparkling wine crafted in the traditional méthode champenoise, bottle-fermented and aged a minimum of 24 months on the lees. The blend of 60% Chardonnay and 40% Pinot Noir draws from Scharffenberger’s own 120-acre Anderson Valley vineyards and select long-term Mendocino County contracts — a pedigree that shows in every pour.
The nose opens with toasted brioche, crème caramel, Asian pear, and honeysuckle, layered with hazelnut and candied citrus. On the palate, a creamy, fine-bubbled mousse gives way to bright orchard fruit — yellow apple, white fig, apricot — framed by lip-smacking acidity and a long, nutty finish. 100% malolactic fermentation adds a round, full-bodied texture that punches well above its price point.
- Appellation: Mendocino County, California
- Blend: 60% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir
- Method: Méthode Traditionnelle (Champenoise)
- Aging: Minimum 24 months on the lees
- Dosage: ~8 g/L
- Size: 750ml
Critical Acclaim
- Jeb Dunnuck — 93 pts: Impressive depth of texture and balanced richness; lovely notes of crème caramel and brioche.
- The Tasting Panel — 93 pts: Remarkable value with the poise and presence of wines twice the price; lilting, lip-smacking acidity and a creamy tang.
- Decanter — 92 pts: Riveting aromatics of brioche, crème brûlée, and candied citrus; broad and mouth-filling with a crisp, layered finish.
- James Suckling — 92 pts: Solid core of fruit with apple, strawberry, and hints of iron and salt; tensioned and full of flavor.
