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NV Scharffenberger Champagne & Sparkling Wine "Brut Excellence" (11/25)

Winery: Scharffenberger

Vintage: NV

Wine Name/Vineyard: "Brut Excellence" (11/25)

Wine Category: Champagne & Sparkling Wine

Grape blend: 60% Chardonnay & 40% Pinot Noir

Bottle size: 750 ml

Region: Mendocino

State or country: CA

Price: $24

Cases produced: unknown

KWG Score: 92.5 (based on 2 reviews)

Ken's Wine Rating: Very Good+ (92)

Review date: November 13, 2025

Wine Review: The blend of 60% Chardonnay and 40% Pinot Noir in this sparkler from Mendocino County, CA. It is dry and elegant, with a medium golden yellow color and many streams of small bubbles in the glass. The bouquet is full of sourdough bread, green apple, and quince aromas. The moderate froth on the palate leads to vibrant plus acidity, a medium body, and a nice balance that is clean. There are flavors of green apple, caramelized pear, saline, and tangy lemon curd along with notes of hazelnut and fig. The finish is dry, refreshing, and long. Serve chilled with gruyere cheese puffs. - Mark

Winemaker Notes: Scharffenberger Brut Excellence is made using the méthode traditionnelle process, whereby the wines are individually bottle-fermented before being riddled and disgorged. Most of the base wines undergo malolactic fermentation, which softens and rounds out the blend. The full malolactic style adds a vanilla cream character producing a round and full-bodied wine. After approximately two years on the lees, there are notes of freshly baked bread and pastry that enhance the more fruit-forward style of the wine. Finally, after several months on the cork, the wine develops caramel and hazelnut notes but finishes bright and refreshing on the palate.

Buy it: Use 1000 Corks to find stores that sell Scharffenberger Brut Excellence.

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