Accolades

92 points Wine Enthusiast, December 2009
"The refined texture recommends this brut, which is mainly Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, with a splash of Pinot Meunier. It’s an elegant wine, rich in citrus fruits, green apples, raspberries, smoke and creamy yeast..."

Philosophy

etoile, French for star, embodies our commitment to crafting the finest sparkling wine in America. The winemaking team has carte blanche in creating this wine. They have absolute freedom to break from all traditional limitations and commonly accepted rules in sparkling winemaking. For example, we impose no appellation requirement and allow the winemaking team to source from the very best vineyards in any given vintage. With no vintage requirements, we have the freedom to blend the current vintage with the perfect complement of library, or reserve wines, to build layers of depth and complexity. This is the concept of sur lees dating. We subscribe to no predetermined varietal blend or style; we simply reflect the best style the vineyards have to offer.

Tasting Notes

Tiny bubbles elevate an attractive bouquet of ginger and brown spice. Appealing baked apple, honey and cinnamon flavors meld seamlessly with nutty caramel flavors gained from extended sur lees aging. The creamy and seamless structure combined with balanced acidity carries these flavors through the lingering finish.

Food and Wine Pairing

Pair etoile Brut with delicate, sweet or even aromatic flavors. Enjoy it with seafood dishes like grilled scallops prepared with a lemon beurre blanc, or on its own before the start of a meal.