Ultramarine, Sparkling Rosé of Pinot Noir, Charles Heinz Vineyard, Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County 2011

Michael Cruse, the leader of California’s sparkling wine revolution, produces this rosé from the Charles Heitz vineyard, and the site’s signature saline minerality is front and centre here. A projected bouquet of red berry fruit, baked rhubarb and smoky, caremelized blood orange expatiates in the glass, followed on the palate by a wine laden with savoury umami and saline minerality. Again, despite the wine’s volume and vinosity there is a spine of taut acidity here and a nicely refined mousse. With the 2012 vintage, this rosé will be replaced by a Blanc de Noirs from the same site.

Alc 12.00%

Taster: William Kelley

POA Ultramarine.com