Paul Hobbs George Menini Estate Chardonnay is made from 100 percent Chardonnay.
Located on the southwestern edge of the Russian River Valley appellation in an area known as the Sebastopol Hills, this Chardonnay from George Menini Estate displays pale straw in color and boasts an elixir of white and yellow florals, tart yellow apple, bartlett pear, and baking spice. A precise yet supple wine with notes of juicy Gravenstein apple, vibrant sea salt, and crushed rock, complemented by a cool-climate zing of acidity. An impressive level of complexity for a young vineyard.
Review:
Lots of pears and pear blossom with lemon rind undertones. Medium body with plenty of fruit and energetic acidity with a pumice undertone. Some terra-cotta, too. Flavorful finish. Salty, too. Complex. Lots going on here. Drink or hold.
-James Suckling 97 Points
Belle Glos, a passion project of fifth-generation winemaker Joe Wagner (Caymus Vineyards), is famous for its bold, expressive Pinot Noirs. With this Rosé, Joe applies his "Go With Your Palate" philosophy to the world of sparkling wine, creating a unique, uncompromising, and luxurious offering. The inspiration for this wine began over a decade ago in Champagne, when Joe encountered an ancient, bone-dry bottle aged in tirage (on the lees with no dosage), igniting his passion for this pure, traditional style. The resulting Zero Dosage Rosé is a 100% Pinot Noir sparkling wine produced in the Méthode Champenoise (traditional method), capturing the lively elegance of the Russian River Valley.
Zero Dosage is a bold style—it is bone dry, allowing the pure expression of the terroir and the traditional methods to shine without the sweetness of added sugar. To compensate for this lack of dosage, Joe employs intensive winemaking techniques: the base wine is aged in French oak, undergoes malolactic fermentation (for texture), and is a multi-vintage blend. This blending ensures a youthful, vibrant expression is harmonized with complex, aged characteristics, resulting in a sparkling wine with searing acidity, fine bubbles, and a firm mineral backbone that evolves beautifully over time.
This wine is bright and vibrant, with flavors of orange zest, raspberry, bright cherry, and apricot. Its firm minerality and fine bubbles make it a pure, exciting, and refreshing experience.
The wine's searing acidity and bone-dry profile make it an exceptional partner for delicate, rich, or spicy dishes. Pair with Smoked Salmon, fresh oysters, a spicy tuna roll, or the classic combination of roast chicken and goat cheese.
Review:
“This bone dry and razor sharp Brut Rosé displays aromas of tangerine, tart strawberry and melon on the nose, giving way to an acid-driven palate loaded with flavors of mixed citrus, Ranier cherry, and white flowers that linger across the finish.” — Tom R. Capo.
Wine Enthusiast: 92 points