Lee Pitofsky

9.3

Widely considered a top domestic sparkler, the Ultramarine BdN definitely has some bottle variation because the last time I had this bottle in July of last year, it was generally subdued and unexpressive. On this occasion, although there isn’t much intensity on the nose, the palate is much more expressive. It’s energetic and focused showing precise red berry fruit and florals, salted hazelnuts and baked brioche. Becomes more savory with air. Definitely impressive domestic bubbles. — 5 days ago

Al Shikoh

9.2

tight bead, amber hue; yellow apple, citrus, white flowers, cheese rind; light bodied, zesty acidity, touch of residual sugar, 12% ABV; made from Chenin Blanc sourced Seven Springs Vineyard in Eola-Amity Hills, fermented naturally, unfined, unfiltered, no added sulfites, in pétillant naturel style by Raj Parr with Michael Cruise of sparkling wine house Ultramarine; $32 — 2 months ago

Bryan Kesting

9.3

Valentine’s Day wine. Delish — 4 months ago

Raj Harb

9.3

2011 late disgorgement (apr 2019) — sweet strawberry and cream. Round mouthfeel. Very delicious — 13 days ago

Josh Morgenthau

9.3

Furry nose of black currants, black cherries, dank florals, tobacco. On the palate, black, ultramarine and red fruit, ripe cherries, toasted barley, light cocoa and deep spices. Young and heavy tannins, but with a few hours of air this is very nice- velvety, with flowers, minty herbs and spices. Chewy but lively. Needs 15 more years. Even so, not sure I see it meriting the same high marks as the professional critics gave it. Time will tell, I guess. — 2 months ago

J Choi

9.4

Yum. Rose. 2015. — 3 months ago

Caleb Krell

9.7

I dunno... I think I love this more than ultramarine. Has better acid, that flintyness, and balance. — a year ago

Mark Rosse

9.5

Best bottle of Cali sparkling I’ve had in years! Bravo 👏 — a month ago

Shay A

9.2

My last of these. I experienced a bit of bottle variation with mine, some showing extremely fresh and others not so much. I’m a fan of Michael Cruse and enjoy his Ultramarine sparklers, and while it’s hard to compare UM to this, there are similarities and these are really delicious, especially for the money. This has a grower champagne like profile to it.

2017 base (released spring 2020), zero dosage. My first experience with this was during the dosage trial last year. Lots of fun to taste this wine at different levels. On previous bottles, it never came across as zero dosage, yet this final bottle had a pronounced carmex-like aromatic I get with many zero dosage sparklers. Oxidized aromatics and notes on the palate. This is apple everything...browned golden delicious apple, Apple strudel, apple spice. Mid palate is fairly rich with limestone, floral nuances, and a tart finish. Mousse here has died down some and the profile has become more vinous. I’d enjoy these sooner rather than later to capture the freshness. — 21 days ago

Shay A

9.3

One of three bottles of bubbly (2014 Ultramarine BdN and 2010 Larmandier-Bernier VV du Levant) opened when a good friend, @Shawn R , was in town. EO is one of my favorite champagne producers, but this was actually my first experience with the rosé.

5yrs on the lees, disgorged mid 2019. Slightly orange pink in the glass. Initially, it was very razor sharp and intense. Jasmine, orange zest, and dried apricots on the nose. On the palate, the intensity picked up with a strong backbone of limestone, chalk, tangerine and some honeysuckle. When this paired with food, it showed its true colors with a touch more body and richness. Even more impressive was how much better this was on day two...likely a champagne that could benefit from a decant at this age. Much more creamy and showing more red Berry fruit like raspberries, rhubarb and also a little floral. Yeast driven notes didn’t appear until day two. Complex, intense and lots of potential. — 5 months ago

with Shawn