($24):  Although I’ve not sampled every sparkling wine from California, Roederer Estate’s is my favorite.  Part of the reason their wines are so good is, of course, the talent of Roederer, the French Champagne producer that owns it.  But another important reason for their quality is that all of the grapes for their sparkling wines come from their vineyards, which means they have total control over the entire process from vineyard to winemaking to aging.  A traditional Champagne-style blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, their non-vintage Brut is lively and fresh, with a remarkable smoothness.  Fruitier and less yeasty than Roederer Champagne, it has the Roederer balance and elegance. It over-delivers for the price.
92 Michael Apstein Aug 13, 2019