| The Sonoma Brut has been carefully crafted entirely from hand-harvested Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes. Over forty different selections of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are planted on our 340-acre estate in the Sonoma Carneros district. It is this viticultural diversity that allows us to consistently produce cuvées with complexity and clear fruit expression. The Brut is dominated by Pinot Noir, a stylistic decision enabling the complex aromatic and palate profile that this red-skinned grape contributes to Brut cuvées. Lively and fun to drink, with creamy Asian pear and citrus aromas that lead to crisp, easygoing apple, yeasty cinnamon and mineral flavors. Drink now through 2012. 87% Pinot Noir; 13% Chardonnay. A very straightforward Brut boasting mid-volume yeasty notes and nice bit of bright, faintly cherryish fruit, it is correctly bubbled and somewhat rich on the palate, and it picks up an interesting baked dinner roll note from its time on the yeasts. This one is our easy first choice among the everyday Bruts this year.
Stephen Tanzer: NA
Robert Parker: NA
Wine Spectator: 90
Staff: NA
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