Champagne & Sparkling
“Only the unimaginative can fail to find a reason for drinking champagne.” – Oscar Wilde
Champagne Jacquesson
2017. The harvest is from Ay, Dizy and Hautvillers (66%), Avize and Oiry (34%). Winter and Spring were exceptionally dry; the beginning of spring was mild but, in April, destructive frosts ravaged the vineyards, especially in the Côte des Blancs. Temperatures then rose and the weather was good until July. The end of the growing season was hot but very wet. They began harvest on 4th September, finishing on the 13th. Rigorous sorting resulted in a low volume of ripe and healthy grapes. The resulting wines proved to be rich and dense, and they completed the Cuvée with some reserve wines.
Champagne Barnaut, Bouzy
Two-thirds Pinot Noir and one-third Chardonnay. This is the original cuvée, and its reserve wine comes from the perpetual cuvée first begun by Edmond Barnaut in 1874 that has been drawn from and replenished every year since. As with all of his wines, Philippe looks to avoid heaviness while harnessing the inherent density and depth of fruit that Bouzy offers. This wine is rich and full-bodied. For those who like bold Champagne!
Champagne Bruno Michel
The Bruno Michel ‘Assemblée’ Brut is the estate’s NV blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier. Elegant on the nose, full of pastry, quince, lime, almond, nougat, and pistachio, while the palate offers remarkable texture, rich with minerality, fleshy fruit, and vibrant lemony acidity.
This gem is new to Wisconsin, and already in some top restaurants and wine shops. It is delicious grower Champagne.
Champagne JM Sélèque
"Based on the 2018 vintage and disgorged in November 2020 with two grams per liter dosage, Sélèque's latest NV Extra Brut Solessence is showing very well, bursting with aromas of white flowers, pear, crisp stone fruits and almond paste. Medium to full-bodied, ample and fleshy, it's lively and saline, with a pillowy mousse and chalky grip on the finish". 92 pts – William Kelley, The Wine Advocate, September 2021
Lilbert-Fils Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs
This comes from all three communes where Lilbert farms vines. Typically it is made with three consecutive vintages and is aged on its lees for a minimum of three years beginning in April following the harvest. It's also made entirely from the first pressing; Bertrand's second press juice for all three cuvées is sold to Moët
Caraccioli Cellars Brut Cuvée 2016
Caraccioli Cellars Brut Rosé 2016
A family run winery, Caraccioli Cellars takes pride in developing wines that deliver an expression true to vintage and site. Founded in 2006, Caraccioli Cellars’ commitment starts in the vineyard through utilizing solely Santa Lucia Highlands’ grapes. They aim to highlight the quality of their local Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes by producing fruit centric still wines, and Brut and Brut Rosé in their sparkling wine program. Michel Salgues, previously head winemaker at Roderer Estate, is the head winemaker and through his techniques and expertise the family vision is precisely executed.
In 2015, Caraccioli's estate Escolle Vineyard Pinot Noir and Chardonnay comprise 100% of the total cuvée. This is the first vintage the sparkling cuvée transitioned to completely estate fruit. When I discuss grower Champagne with customers, I strongly feel this wine should be in the conversation. This is a truly special bottle of estate grown and produced sparkling wine from California.
Brick & Mortar VP (Vin Pétillant) Rosé Nature
Available but limited, please inquire
VP (Vin Pétillant) Rosé Nature is a sparkling wine blend of organically farmed Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from the cool Sonoma Coast. Prior to the completion of primary fermentation, the wine is bottled and capped, where fermentation is carried out naturally to full dryness in the bottle creating effervescence in the wine. This wine is made without the addition of sulfur. All bottles are riddled and disgorged by hand prior to release.
The 2021 VP Rosé Nature is a unique sparkling wine made from 51% Pinot Noir and 49% Chardonnay. A delicious aperitif or brunch bubbly, and a great match for smoked salmon, oysters or fresh cheeses. Fine bubbles intertwine flavors of ripe pear and red apple with strawberries and cream. The nose is delicate and floral, with notes of cherry blossom, rose petal and orange zest. The wine is rich on the palate with a mouthwatering freshness and vivaciously creamy bubble equal to many fully sparkling wines.