Heintz Vineyard Blanc de Noirs Pinot Noir

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.

My last of the 2014 Ultramarine’s. Sad day. Thankfully 2015s are up next, and I was able to secure extra 2016s during the release a few months back.

This was one of three bubblies (2010 Larmandier-Bernier VV du Levant, Egly Ouriet Rosé) opened alongside a lineup of some fun wines when a buddy, @Shawn R , was in town. As always, my experience with these wines is so unique. You can always tell this is like grower champagne from first smell and sip. Gorgeous golden color in the glass. I normally pick up aromas of cream soda with Ultramarine (aside from their rosé), but didn’t get that here. Caramel dipped golden delicious apples, spiced cider, brioche, a little shaved almond, sporting a gentle “oxidative” flair. On the palate it’s zippy and racy with a distinct herb crusted yellow fruit profile (which I get on some Heintz Chardonnays), alongside more apple, poached pear, and kiss of ripe red Berry fruits. There is also a backbone of limestone/mineral here. When compared to the Larmandier-Bernier, this drank more new world, though if I had tried this blind and not next to a true champagne, I may have been able to get there.

As an aside, we drank half of this bottle (and of the other two bubblies as well) and then put a champagne stopper on it to revisit the next day. Upon opening, the bubbles seemed to have diminish quite a bit and it drank closer to a still wine...and then 30mins later, it was like this roared back to life for one last hurrah, full of bubbles and totally vibrant. Not sure I’ve seen a bubbly do that before. The last glass on the second day was just as good as the first glass on the first day.

Second bottle opened of this wonderful sparkler. Again showing superb energy, bruised golden apples, freshly baked brioche, salted nuts and minerals. Great length, richness and depth on the finish. From Blue Hill at Stone Barns Cellar.

Hands down my favorite domestic sparkler and at the quality level of many prestigious champagnes. Rich, complex and with racy energy showing bruised golden apples, baked brioche, salted hazelnuts and minerals. Finishes with terrific length and depth. From Blue Hill at Stone Barns Cellar

Held this for a while so I expected the age to mellow it but it was drinking a bit flat.

Aggressive bubbles, Apple, brioche. This is a gorgeous bottle of bubbles!

Last of my 14’s. This is probably my favorite out of the 3 different bottles

My type of California Sparks.

Dry, to the bone. So much there was nugget, ah smintch of oxy? No can’t be.

Ultramarine Blanc de noir 2014, I swear