Michael Walker

9.5

Second K Laz tasting - don’t love this one - has a plasticity to it - smells like a Merlot, and a bit sour on the palate - very surprising given the pedigree (Thomas RB etc) — 16 days ago

Shay A

9.2

My last of a 3-pack the last few years. I chose this as one of my 2018 Cali BdB sparklers I opened to see how the sparkling wine scene is evolving (also opened was a 2018 Ultramarine Heintz BdB, 2018 Ultramarine Michael Mara BdB and 2018 Brick & Mortar Manchester Ridge BdB).

45 months en tirage, 4 g/l dosage

Clean and pure style. If you love Chablis or leaner champagnes, this is your jam. Grilled lemon, sea spray, hint of and honeysuckle aromatically. On the palate, it is mineral heavy (slate/limestone-esque) with sea salt, lemon scone, oyster shell, all wrapped in a crystalline profile. This is undeniably BdB and presents as a grower champagne type profile. Bright and elegant (showed a bit more classical compared to the other three). — a month ago

Willie Carter

9.1

Who doesn’t love summer in a bottle. A Vin Pétillant Rosé from the Sonoma Coast. Blush pink with soft, pretty bubbles. The nose is very floral with violets, roses, and cherry blossoms. Strawberries for days along with some sumptuous cherries and bubblegum.

A Pinot Noir and Chardonnay blend that’s dry but generous and inviting. Invoking all the good parts of summer: the joy, the laughter, the friends, and the romance. The acid is just right, as is the balance. Bright red fruits and citrus on the palate with a bit of peppery funk just for good measure. One of the most fun wines I’ve had in a while. If you see it, get it. — a year ago

Allison Lyzenga

9.2

Pale pink, fine mousse; medium plus intensity aromas of fresh strawberry, yellow plum, Rainier cherries, white flower, chalk, subtle brioche; dry, high acid, medium alcohol, medium body, medium plus intensity flavors consistent with aromas; medium plus finish, acid perfectly balanced with level of sweetness, a delight — 4 years ago

Shay A

9.3

After having the 2018 Manchester Ridge Blanc de Blancs from them a couple weeks ago, I opted to open the rosé to have the styles fresh on my mind.

Disgorged Jan 2023; 100% Pinot noir; 4% still Pinot noir added; 40 months on lees; 2.5g/l dosage

If I’m looking for a champagne comparison, on the rosé spectrum of fresh to older, this reminds me of Henriot’s rosé minus the yeast/brioche. Already channeling an aged character, this shows notes of orange marmalade, strawberry shortbread cookie, and a kiss of ginger aromatically. Crisp on the palate, more of the rich orange citrus fruit carries over with sea salt and red berry fruit. Tangy and persistent finish (in a good way).

In the comparison of Cali domestic sparklers, this isn’t too dissimilar from Ultramarine but isn’t as fresh in style, not as tropical as Haliotide or as yeasty as Schramsberg. I enjoyed this a touch more than the Blancs de Blanc, but I don’t see much reason to hold based on the character of the wine as is. Pop and enjoy! — a month ago

Shay A

9.3

With some inconsistencies the last year or two with Ultramarine, this was a nice refresher of how enjoyable they can be when showing well. I chose this as one of my 2018 Cali BdB sparklers I opened to see how the sparkling wine scene is evolving (also opened was a 2018 Haliotide BdB, 2018 Ultramarine Michael Mara BdB and 2018 Brick & Mortar Manchester Ridge BdB).

Over the last 7yrs or so of opening Ultramarine, I’ve found the Charles Heintz to show the classical vineyard expression of pure and ripe tropical fruit (guava), a small amount of oxidation of the fruit, and a distinct cream soda note. This 2018 lined up fairly close to those expectations (whereas the Michael Mara has been a bit more austere in the past, yet not as much barrel character as the one today). More “funk” and texture than the classical Haliotide, but not too far (nothing vegetal). The dosage feels on-point here. Follows the grower champagne vibe, but more to the natty side. — a month ago

Melinda Black

9.1

Great summer wine! Had it with something spicy. Very smooth, slightly sweet/tart. Like a Granny Smith Apple. — 3 years ago

Shay A

9.2

@Delectable Wine : This is the Brick & Mortar Blanc de Blancs Manchester Ridge Vineyard. I didn’t see it in the database.

It has probably been 4-5yrs since I last had a sparkler from Brick & Mortar, so when some buddies visited their winery recently and raved about them, I ended up with a BdB and a Rosé to try. I chose this as one of my 2018 Cali BdB sparklers I opened to see how the sparkling wine scene is evolving (also opened was a 2018 Haliotide BdB, 2018 Ultramarine Heintz BdB, and a 2018 Ultramarine Michael Mara BdB).

48 months on lees

With hardly any experience, I had zero expectations of style. After the comparison, I’m a bit surprised to say this showed fairly similar to the 2018 Ultramarine Heintz BdB. Both have a bit richer fruit profiles with some funk and oxidation. Aromatically, there is more of a honeyed profile than the others, with floral and orange citrus accents. The leesy profile is evident on the palate with rich layers of herb-crusted yellow fruits and a hint of lemon pastry. I’d like to re-visit this on its own to see how it shows away from comparisons. — a month ago

David

9.1

excellent pinot noir mildly on dry side with excellent fruit balance. enjoyed before dinner and with grilled pork chops. would definitely but again — a year ago

Ely Cohn

8.9

Cool Mountain Gamay. Smells like a grab of cold forest floor - a fist full of damp earth, melting snow, and pine needles. Mortar and Pestle of dark red cherries and fresh juniper. Wild, but very pretty, with a soft texture balanced by acid and a little crunch. — 3 years ago