Any time is the right time for some bubbly and, with Autumn just days away, I am toasting the last days of summer with this trio of sparkling wines from Noble Ridge.
2019 “The Pink One” Sparkling $34.99
Made from 100% Pinot Noir, this wine had four hours of skin contact in order to achieve a beautiful blush hue. Free run juice was cool fermented, followed by secondary fermentation in the bottle (Méthode Traditionnelle) and En Tourage for 34 months.
Floral aromas are accompanied by notes of strawberry, dried apricot and buttered biscuits. Nearly off-dry, this wine has a foamy mousse and high acidity. The palate offers grapefruit pith, strawberries, dried apricots, brioche and caramelized sugar with a medium+ finish.
2018 “The One” Sparkling $34.99
A blend of 72% Chardonnay and 28% Pinot Noir, these grapes were whole cluster pressed and the juice cool fermented. Once again this wine underwent secondary fermentation in the bottle but was followed by 47 months En Tourage.
Aromas of Brioche, crème brûlée topping, marzipan, yellow grapefruit pith, apples and hints of lemon rind. Nearly off-dry, this wine has a foamy but creamy mousse and medium+ acidity. The palate offers brioche, apple slices dipped in brown sugar, lemon candies and grapefruit pith with a mineral/saline, medium finish.
2017 “The One” Grand Reserve $49.99
A blend of 78% Chardonnay and 22% Pinot Noir, these grapes were whole cluster pressed and the juice cool fermented. This wine underwent secondary fermentation in the bottle, followed by 66 months En Tourage.
Aromas of freshly baked, butter croissants, baked apples, lemon rind, lemon pith and marzipan. This sparkling wine is dry with a creamy yet foamy mousse and medium+ acidity. The palate offers notes of flaky pie crust, brown sugar, cinnamon and green apple with a streak of lemony acidity and a medium+ finish.
For more on Noble Ridge, check out Celebrating 20 Noble Vintages.