Scharffenberger Brut Excellence

A remarkable value with the poise and presence of wines twice the price. Composed of 60% Char-donnay and 40% Pinot Noir, it rings clear and pure on a nose marked by toast, Asian pear, yellow apple, honeysuckle, and hazelnut; on the palate, lilting, lip-smacking acidity and a creamy tang usher in more orchard fruit enhanced by hints of white fig and apricot.

A blend of 55% Chardonnay and 45% Pinot Noir from Mendocino County with 10 g/L of residual sugar, aged a minimum of two years en tirage and six months under cork. 14,000 bottles were produced. Riveting aromatics of brioche, creme brule, and candied citrus. Broad and mouth-filling with a creamy mousse that, upon resolve, delivers a crisp wine with depth and textures of crushed river stones, layered with red berry fruit, apricots and tangerine notes, and nutty overtones on the finish.

A generous and opulent wine with fresh pears and stone fruit on the nose. The bright fruit character is nicely balanced by baking spice and baked apple flavors. A pleasing sweetness with fine, consistent bubbles. A very drinkable wine. Good value.

The NV Brut Excellence is given less time in bottle and higher dosage than the Brut Black Label, blending 60-40 Chardonnay-Pinot Noir at 8.5 grams per liter dosage. Rich and round in strawberry, quince, and blood orange, it offers a fresh, more immediate, more primary style of medium-bodied refreshment and complexity, showcasing the Chardonnay more specifically in jolts of lemony zestiness. The finish is substantive and long.