Reviews & Ratings

NV Scharffenberger Champagne & Sparkling Wine "Brut Excellence" (10/19)

Winery: Scharffenberger

Vintage: NV

Wine Name/Vineyard: "Brut Excellence" (10/19)

Wine Category: Champagne & Sparkling Wine

Grape blend: 60% Chardonnay & 40% Pinot Noir

Bottle size: 750 ml

Region: Mendocino

State or country: CA

Price: $20

Cases produced: 20,000

KWG Score: 89.7 (based on 4 reviews)

Ken's Wine Rating: Very Good+ (90)

Review date: October 24, 2019

Wine Review: This pale golden pilsner colored sparkler has a nice toast to the nose along with hints of golden delicious apples and ginger. The palate is fresh given that this California sparkler has quite a bit of weight to it. Golden apples, ginger, hints of lemon zest, and with spots of caramel make up the palate. The acidity is fresh and keeps the wine from clinging and holds it true. This sparkler would pair well with bacon-wrapped scallops. - Nicolay

Winemaker Notes: The wine is approximately 60% Chardonnay and 40% Pinot Noir. The full malolactic style adds a vanilla cream character producing a round and full-bodied wine. There are notes of freshly baked bread and pastry that enhances the more fruit forward style of the wine. Finally, after several months on the cork, the wine develops some caramel and hazel flavors.

Buy it: Use 1000 Corks to find stores that sell Scharffenberger NV Brut Excellence.