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

French for star— etoile 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. This philosophy is now also visibly represented by the use of a crown seal. This unconventional closure symbolizes our commitment to providing the best sparkling wine to our consumers. 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. And finally, 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 a complex bouquet of ripe pear, toasted brioche and apple compote. Lemon custard flavors caress the palate followed by notes of baked apple crisp and roasted hazelnuts. The elegant structure persists throughout the long, savory 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.