Press


Highlights


2020 Winemaker of the Year – Tony Biagi

Vinous Media

“I am fortunate to have the opportunity to taste with talented winemakers all over the world. This year, one person stands out. Tony Biagi is not only gifted as a winemaker, he also has a talent for mentoring young, emerging winemakers.” – Antonio Galloni

Photo credit: Leigh-Ann Beverly, Bona Fide Productions

Features


Olema on The Today Show


San Francisco Chronicle - The best California Chardonnays for $20 or less Download

USA Today - Summer Sips Download

Forbes - Best Mouth-Watering, Juicy White Wines for Summer Download

Fortune - Best Rosé Wines of Summer 2021 Download

USA Today - Wines for Valentines Day Download

San Francisco Chronicle - This rich, fruity $25 Sonoma Cab tastes a lot more expensive than it is Download

Houston Chronicle - Variety abounds in our tasters' recommendations Download

Sonoma Magazine - Wines for Spring Download

Forbes - Ten Perfect Wines For Your Thanksgiving Dinner Download

Food & Wine - 15 Great Pinot Noirs for Under $20 Download

Wine Enthusiast - Think You Can’t Find Affordable California Cabernet? Think Again, September 2019 Download

Tasting Panel Magazine - 2018 Olema Rosé, Summer 2019 Download

Palate Press Wine Reviews, August 2019 Download

Austin Chronicle - Weekend Wine: Nothing Says Spring Like Rosé, April 2019 Download

Vinography - Unopened Wine Box, March 2019 Download

Wine Advocate - Best of 2018, January 2019 Download

Sonoma Magazine - Wines for the Winter Season, January 2019 Download

LATF USA - Wine Spotlight: Olema Wines, November 2018 Download

LATF USA - Olema Rose is Refreshing for All Four Seasons, October 2018 Download

D Magazine - What to Drink Now: Red Wine Options Under $25, September 2018 Download

Capital Gazette - Wine Picks: 2016 Olema Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County, August 2018 Download

Austin Chronicle - Weekend Wine: Olema Cab, Great with a Steak, July 2018 Download

Today Show - The best wines under $20 for every summer occasion, Jun 2017 Download

Food & Wine - In Pursuit of $20 Pinot Noir, October 2016 Download


Reviews


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Cabernet Sauvignon

92 Points

James Suckling

2021 Cabernet Sauvignon

A very fine-tannined cab with redcurrants, berries and hints of fresh herb aromas and flavors, with some chocolate and hazelnut. Medium-bodied. Delicious and polished. Drinks beautifully now but can age nicely.

90 points

Wine Advocate

2017 Cabernet Sauvignon

The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Olema is a blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Merlot, 3% Petite Verdot, 2% Malbec and 1% Cabernet Franc aged 14 months in 50% new French oak. Deep garnet-purple in color, it gives up open-knit, expressive blackberry pie, plum preserves and cassis scents with wafts of unsmoked cigars and garrigue with a waft of charcuterie. Medium-bodied, the palate is packed with juicy black fruits, supported by soft tannins, finishing earthy. Impressive feat this vintage!

90 Points

Jeb Dunnuck

2017 Cabernet Sauvignon

The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma County is also terrific. Based on 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot, Malbec, and Cabernet Franc, brought up in 50% new French oak, this medium-bodied, fresh, pure, and beautifully balanced effort offers loads of cassis fruits as well as notes of spice and flowery incense. It’s another screaming value by Jesse Fox and Tony Biagi.

92 Points

James Suckling

2016 Cabernet

Lots of black currant and blackberry aromas with hints of wet earth and spice cake. Medium body with a solid center palate of ripe fruit and fine tannins. Soft and silky. Delicious finish. Drink or hold.

90 Points

Wine Enthusiast

2016 Cabernet Sauvignon

This is a value-driven proposition of well-made wine, with tiny amounts of Petit Verdot, Merlot and Petite Sirah. Earthy in clove and dark backing spices, it has a wealth of soft blue and black fruit backed by firm easygoing tannin and integrated oak. This is one to hoard. —V.B.

90 Points

Jeb Dunnuck

2016 Cabernet Sauvignon

Lastly, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma County is outstanding and reveals a ruby/purple color, attractive notes of black cherry and blackberry fruits, plenty of tobacco leaf and graphite, medium body, and nicely integrated acidity. It’s a classic Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon that tastes like it cost 3-4 times the price. It will keep for a decade.

90 Points + 2018 Best Value Wine

The Wine Advocate

2016 Cabernet Sauvignon

Blended 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Malbec, 2% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot, 2% Merlot and 1% Petite Sirah aged 14 months in 50% new French oak, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Olema is deep garnet-purple colored and features textbook cassis, warm plums and blackberry notions with hints of cedar, sandalwood and menthol. Medium to full-bodied, it bursts in the mouth with juicy, crunchy fruit, framed by soft tannins and a lively line, finishing on a refreshing minty note.

90 Points

Jeb Dunnuck

2015 Cabernet Sauvignon

A wine Biagi worked with from the start (he inherited the 2014 and only did the blend), the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Olema is a deeper, richer wine that offers impressive cassis, licorice, lead pencil shavings, and underbrush aromas and flavors. Medium to full-bodied, nicely textured and a clear step up over the 2014, drink it over the coming 5-8 years.

"Vibrant"

The Wine Advocate

2015 Cabernet Sauvignon

Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Olema gives up vibrant black cherry, raspberry and blueberry notions with a touch of violets. Medium-bodied, crunchy and fresh, it has a nice juicy finish.

90 Points

IntoWine.com

2014 Cabernet Sauvignon

A wine ripe with blueberry, black cherry, plum, and boysenberry. There are side notes of vanilla and strawberry-rhubarb, pomegranate, and back notes of lavender, anise, smoked paprika and a wisp of fresh tobacco. Highly energetic and drinkable with mild tannins and a solid structure this is a Cabernet for everyone.

"Velvety"

Meg Maker, Makers Table

2014 Cabernet Sauvignon

It’s substantial, ripe with blue and red fruits and framed by oaky spice. But it’s the wine’s velvety texture, not its flavor profile, that grabs me. The voluptuous, ripe tannins hit first, followed by a sluice of juicy acidity, and finally, at the finish, there’s a dusting of pencil shavings and tea. An admirable California Cabernet at a good price. Pair it with roasts and game, rich gratins, aged sheep and cow’s milk cheeses, cured meats.

"Elegant"

The Wine Advocate

2014 Cabernet Sauvignon

Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Olema delivers notes of red currants, cassis and dried Mediterranean herbs with wafts of earth and baker’s chocolate. Medium-bodied, it has a chewy backbone supporting the elegantly played fruit, finishing with appealing freshness.

"Balanced"

Santé

2013 Cabernet Sauvignon

Aromas of ripe blackberry, black cherry, and cassis, over coffee crème and tobacco notes. Round on the palate, offering plum, rhubarb, and red currant flavors, over soft vanilla and spicy oak. Pleasing, balanced finish.

"Good Buy"

Santé Magazine

2012 Cabernet Sauvignon

Deep aromas of dark cherry, black plum, and black currant, with notes of espresso and spicy oak. Round on the palate, with flavors of mature black and red summer berries, baker’s chocolate, allspice, and cedar. Silky tannins and a touch of peppery spice on the finish. Good buy. May 2015

"Plush"

Arizona Daily Sun

2012 Cabernet Sauvignon

This pleasing Cab deserves a look, not only for its beautiful purple hue, but also for its fine value. Focused on fruit and less tannic and complex than many Cabs, it delivers a plush, highly pleasing mouthfeel, and finishes long. March 2015

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Chardonnay

90 Points

James Suckling

2022 Chardonnay

This affordable and generous wine is fermented mostly in tanks with oak staves suspended in them for flavor and texture. Made from 60% Sonoma grapes, it has a buttery vanillin aroma and good ripe pear and golden apple flavors. Easy in texture but balanced.

91 Points

James Suckling

2020 Chardonnay

Ripe apple, lemon zest, melon, vanilla and brioche on the nose. It’s full-bodied with a ripe, creamy palate, balanced by fresh acidity. Plenty of stone fruit. Drink now.

92 points

James Suckling

2019 Chardonnay

Aromas of peach blossom, ripe pineapple, lemon cordial and lime pie. It’s medium-to full-bodied and satisfyingly creamy with just a touch of vanilla, balanced by bright acidity. Drink or hold.

92 points

James Suckling

2018 Chardonnay

This is a really delicious offering of dried peaches and pineapple with cream and light vanilla undertones. Medium to full body. Lovely praline undertone to it. Bright and fruity. Drink now.

90 Points

Wine Advocate

2018 Chardonnay

The 2018 Chardonnay Olema was fermented half in stainless steel, half in barrel and aged eight months sur lie in 30% new French oak, and 70% of the blend completed malolactic. It gives up pure, intense notes of ripe peaches, yellow apples and guava with hints of honey toast and butterscotch. Medium-bodied, the palate has a satiny texture with bags of peachy fruit and a light touch of oak, finishing spicy.

91 Points

Jeb Dunnuck

2017 Chardonnay

The value-priced 2017 Chardonnay Sonoma Coast way over-delivers and has classic Sonoma Coast character, yet it sells for a song. Lots of tart peach, crushed citrus, and some obvious salinity all emerge from this medium-bodied, vibrant, fresh Chardonnay that’s ideal for a house white.

90 Points

Wine Enthusiast

2016 Chardonnay

Editors Choice – This is wine well worth stockpiling, such a good deal it is for the price. Hearty creamy ripeness is balanced and complemented by bold robust stone fruit, baked apple and a lingering thread of stony mineral.

"Appealing purity"

The Wine Advocate

2016 Chardonnay

The 2016 Chardonnay Olema has expressive lemon curd, paraffin and peach kernel notes with a hint of lightly browned toast. Medium-bodied, delicately played, refreshing and with appealing purity, it finishes with plenty of uncomplicated citrusy charm.

"Lovely vitality and poise"

Bigger Than Your Head, Wine Blog

2016 Chardonnay

Well-made, accessible and inexpensive… the color is pale straw-gold; clean and fresh aromas of apple and quince, ginger and grapefruit are immediately appealing, while hints of mango, orange blossom and smoke add intrigue. A damp stone background and bright acidity cut through a moderately lush texture, providing support for slightly roasted pineapple and grapefruit flavors, the entire package displaying lovely vitality and poise.

91 Points

James Suckling

2014 Chardonnay

This is really refined and fresh with sliced apple and lemon aromas. Hints of stone too. Medium to full body, an almost salty undertone. Medium finish. Bright and tangy. Gorgeous limey undertone.

Robert Parkers "#1 Value Wine of 2016"

Robert Parker Jr.

2014 Chardonnay

The 2014 Chardonnay Olema at $15.00 from Sonoma is a heck of a bottle of wine, with honeysuckle, lemon blossom and a touch of white peach all present in this wine that offers clean, pure fruit, medium body and a distant hint of wood. This is a terrific value and sleeper selection. Drink it over the next year. Rated #1 of the Top 3 Value Wines worldwide of 2016.

"Buy a case"

Cape Gazette

2014 Chardonnay

Full-bodied, fruity, creamy and nicely balanced with a delicious bouquet of tropical fruit, pears and buttery oak. On the palate, banana, lemon peel and roast nuts ride a slightly lower-acidity frame due to the ripe fruit characteristics. The flavors continue through a medium-long, balanced finish. I normally expect Sonoma Chardonnay of this caliber to sell in the high $30s… I strongly urge chardonnay lovers to buy a case.

"Well-crafted"

Wine Enthusiast Magazine

2013 Chardonnay

A well-crafted wine made in relatively large quantity, this has a tropical edge, sidelining stone fruit and apple. It also offers a lightness of pear skin, atop light, ripe layers of vanilla and oak. The finish puts memorable touches to a generous, expressive palate. October 2015

"Beautifully made"

Santé Magazine

2013 Chardonnay

Fresh and ripe aromas of stone fruit, pear, bright citrus, and a note of creamy caramel. Crisp on the palate, with white peach, melon, and Meyer lemon, over hints of integrated oak and a touch of orange oil. Zesty finish, with good acidity and minerals on the end. Beautifully made. June 2015

91 Points

Beverage Dynamics

2012 Chardonnay

This approachable chardonnay was fermented half in oak and half in stainless steel, giving the wine a crisp and refreshing acidity; apple and citrus notes balance the wine and bring a creamy quality to the finish.

"Wine-of-the-Week"

Napa Valley Register

2012 Chardonnay

Russian River meets the Sonoma coast in this county appellation blend of stone and tropical fruit flavors: and stainless steel meets French oak for a blend of textural sensations in a wine that is both fresh and creamy. Napa Valley’s Amici Cellars produces the Olema lineup of Sonoma County wines, and this chardonnay ($15) is ready for a party, no matter the location. It is a crowd-pleaser with bold pear, red apple, apricot and mango fruit, lemon-meringue. toast and spice. Wine-of-the-Week. August 2014

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Chardonnay Reserve

91 Points

Jeb Dunnuck

2019 Chardonnay Reserve

The 2019 Chardonnay Reserve offers a richer, slightly more complex style, displaying attractive orchard fruits, toasted bread, spice, and a touch of toasted almonds on the nose. It’s medium-bodied, nicely balanced, and another well-made wine in the lineup.

91 Points

Wine Advocate

2018 Chardonnay Reserve

The 2018 Chardonnay Olema Sonoma County Reserve offers up apricots, praline, honey-drizzled pears and apple pie scents with a touch of baking bread. Medium-bodied and wonderfully refreshing, there are lots of stone fruit and savory layers here with a mineral-tinged finish. Delivering a lot of bang for your buck, sadly only 1,500 cases were made!

93 points

James Suckling

2017 Chardonnay Reserve

A white with aromas of sliced cooked apples and some lemon and crushed-stone notes that follow through to a full body with tight, layered fruit and phenolic tension that gives it form and beauty. Quite Burgundian in style. Drink or hold.

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Pinot Noir

90 points

Jeb Dunnuck

2019 Pinot Noir

Coming mostly from the same sites as the Chardonnay, the 2019 Pinot Noir is a mix of 667, Pommard, and 115 clones and it’s another legit wine that delivers classic aromas and flavors at an incredible price. Lots of red berry fruits, spice, hints of cola, and herbal notes emerge from this medium-bodied, balanced, textbook California Pinot Noir. It too is ideal for drinking over the coming couple of years.

92 points

James Suckling

2019 Pinot Noir

Crushed-strawberry, cherry, lemon-zest, button-mushroom and cedar aromas. It’s medium-bodied with silky tannins and bright acidity. Bright, pure-fruit layers lead to an energetic finish. Drink or hold.

92 points

James Suckling

2018 Pinot Noir

This is really beautiful with crushed strawberries and hints of raspberries with some savory undertones. Forest flowers, too. Full body and slightly austere tannins. Creamy and finely crafted. Lovely finish. 97% pinot noir and 3% petite sirah. Drink now.

90 points

Jeb Dunnuck

2018 Pinot Noir

A smoking value that’s sourced from Sonoma County, Russian River, Carneros, and Petaluma Gap, the 2018 Pinot Noir Sonoma County is a pretty, medium-bodied, elegant red that has classy cranberry and tart cherry fruits as well as hints of spring flowers. Brought up in 35% new oak, it’s hard to beat at the price.

92 points

James Suckling

2017 Pinot Noir

Plenty of red fruit with dried strawberries, as well as decadent meat and hints of earth. Medium body and firm, silky tannins that melt into the wine. Fresh finish. Vivid pinot. Drink now.

90 Points

The Wine Advocate

2016 Pinot Noir

The 2016 Pinot Noir Olema is pale ruby-purple colored and offers delicate red cherries and fresh raspberries notes with touches of lavender, Provence herbs and Sichuan pepper. Medium-bodied with loads of crushed, fresh red berries flavors and a lively line, it has a light grip of plush tannins on the finish. Awesome value!!

90 Points

Jeb Dunnuck

2016 Pinot Noir

The Pinot Noir program from Amici is managed by Jessie Fox and the 2016 Pinot Noir Olema spent 9 months in a mix of tank and barrel. It’s a beautiful Pinot Noir that over delivers at the price. Black cherries, framboise, spice, and a hint of forest floor all emerge from this medium-bodied, balanced, incredibly enjoyable 2016 that’s ideal for drinking over the coming couple of years.

"Refreshing"

Maker's Table

2016 Pinot Noir

It’s light red-fruited, delivering a splash of raspberry and cherry with pleasant hints of fresh fennel and anise seed. The oak is light-handed, just enough to add a filigree of texture and spice. It feels drinkably fresh, with solid acidity and a juicy finish. Good by the glass or with light meats, poultry, cheeses, and hearty salads, it’s a well made California Pinot that delivers value for the price.

"Lively"

The Wine Advocate

2015 Pinot Noir

Pale to medium ruby-purple colored, the 2015 Pinot Noir Olema has crushed red cherries, raspberries and earth notions with a waft of cinnamon stick. Softly textured with lively cherry flavors and a spicy accent, it has a medium to full body and a satisfyingly fruity finish.

"Clean and fresh"

Bigger Than Your Head, Wine Blog

2014 Pinot Noir

This is a clean and fresh pinot noir that offers an essential loamy underpinning as support for notes of rhubarb and sassafras, red cherries and smoky plums and just a hint of shy forest flowers. On the palate, the Olema Pinot Noir 2014 feels warm, spicy and inviting, dry, to be sure, but juicy with red and black fruit flavors highlighted by new leather, cloves and black pepper. The wine builds subtle layers in the glass, so after a few minutes, you notice elements of briers and brambles and graphite, all fixed in place by bright acidity and nuanced, slightly dusty minerality. Excellent.

"Gorgeous"

Santa Rosa Press Democrat

2014 Pinot Noir

The Olema is surprisingly supple. What sets it apart is its texture, its gorgeous red berry aromas, and its great concentration of Bing cherry fruit on the palate. Layered notes of cocoa and spice are in the mix. This pinot comes full circle with an impressive, lingering finish. A smart pick.

"Editors' Choice"

Wine Enthusiast

2014 Pinot Noir

This is a pretty impressive wine being offered for an almost unheard-of price, the fruit sourced largely from Russian River Valley and the Sonoma Coast. Cardamom and cinnamon figure in, with a lightness of body and high-toned strawberry and cherry belying an underlying richness that’ll satisfy. Editors’ Choice.

"Seductive"

Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate

2014 Pinot Noir

Another undeniable value is the 2014 Pinot Noir Olema, a Sonoma cuvée that would qualify as a sleeper as well. Pomegranate, allspice and clove intermix with sassafras in this medium-bodied, deliciously fruity, round seductive Pinot Noir to drink over the next several years.

"Well-made"

Santé

2014 Pinot Noir

Delicate aromas of raspberry and sassafras in the nose lead to notes of ripe cherry, mixed red fruits with just a hint of woody spice in the finish. Well made with balanced acidity.

"Smooth and aromatic"

Santa Cruz Sentinel

2014 Pinot Noir

Smooth and aromatic, the Olema 2014 Pinot Noir dances on the lighter side of the quixotic tendencies of pinot noir. One hundred percent pinot noir made from a blend of grapes from the Russian River Valley, Sonoma Coast and Sonoma Valley, it expresses the aromas, red fruit and delicate tannins of the region. A wine to float your boat, spicy, light but not wimpy. Fruity aromatics, nice cocoa characteristics, black cherry, plum, ripe strawberry and cola make for a well-balanced, pleasant pinot noir. An excellent value.

91 Points

Wine Spectator

2013 Pinot Noir

Presents a lively, refreshing, complex mix of snappy wild berry and raspberry flavors, firm and vibrant, ending long, clean, and complex. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. Featured in “11 Approachable California Pinot Noirs,” June 2015, “Best of the West, great values from the West Coast,” September 2015, and “Top 100 Values of 2015”, December 2015

"Balanced"

Santé Magazine

2013 Pinot Noir

Juicy ripe cherry, plum, and sweet raspberry on the nose, giving way to soft oak and earthy tones. Balanced on the palate, with concentrated red berry, cherry, and cola flavors, over hints of peppery spice and herbs. Moderate acidty on the smooth finish. Good value.

92 Points

Wine Enthusiast

2012 Pinot Noir

It’s rare to get a twenty buck Pinot Noir this good. The wine is dry, silky and elegant, almost faultless in its precision. With savory cherry, red licorice, cola and sandalwood flavors, it’s not an ager, but a very pretty wine for drinking now.

90 Points

Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar

2012 Pinot Noir

Bright medium red. Aromas of cherry, raspberry, fresh herbs, rose petal and spicy oak. Less fat than the Russian River Valley bottling but with very good definition and lift to the high-pitched red fruit and spice flavors. Not a fat style but juicy and easygoing, finishing with good grip and lift. A terrific value in California pinot.

"Excellent"

Bigger Than Your Head, Wine Blog

2012 Pinot Noir

Radiant ruby-magenta color; plums, mulberries and cranberries, brier rose; hints of cloves, rhubarb and pomegranate; dense, supple and satiny; ripe and lightly spiced red and blue fruit flavors; a few moments in the glass bring in notes of roses and violets, leather and tobacco; undertones of graphite, earth and mild tannins. Now through 2016. Excellent. About $20, marking Great Value.

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Rosé

92 Points

James Suckling

2022 Rosé

A minerally and flinty rosé with sliced lemons and ripe peaches with a stony undertone. Medium body. Crisp and clean. One of the best bottlings of this. 50% grenache, 20% cinsault, 10% carignan and 5% mourvedre. Drink now.

92 Points

James Suckling

2021 Rosé

Some cherry, crushed stone and slate aromas with hints of roses and white pepper follow through to a medium body. Creamy structure with phenolics and framing. Real rosé. Mostly grenache with some cinsault, syrah and carignan. Drink now.

92 Points

James Suckling

2020 Rosé

Pale rose-gold color. Delicate aromas of white strawberry, rose petal, fresh apricot and lemon cream. It’s medium-bodied with bright acidity. Gorgeously creamy and round. Drink now.

91 Points

James Suckling

2019 Rosé

Aromas of raspberries, lemon rind and hot stones follow through to a medium to full body. Mineral undertones to this. Slightly tannic. A blend of 40% grenache, 40% cinsault, 15% syrah, 2.5% carignan and 2.5% mourvedre. Like the form here. Drink or hold.

91 Points

James Suckling

2018 Rosé

Lots of fresh sliced peaches and cream and hints of lemons. Crushed stones, too. Full-to-medium-bodied, layered and soft with freshness and brightness. Pretty phenolic texture. Mouthwatering. Drink now.

92 Points

James Suckling

2017 Rosé

A bright and fresh rosé with sliced orange peel and strawberry. Hint of rose petal. Medium to full body, layered and very pretty. Love the phenolic tension with the acid vibrance. 60% Grenache, 30% Mouvedre and 10% Carignan. Drink or hold.

91 Points

James Suckling

2016 Rosé

This is a beautiful rosé with dried cherry, lemon rind and hints of walnut. Ash too. It has a pretty phenolic texture and length. Just a hint of bitterness at the end. Drier style. New wine to find. Try it. Drink now.

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Rosé Reserve

91 Points

James Suckling

2020 Rosé Reserve

Pale salmon-colored rosé with aromas of strawberries, fresh plums, cherry blossom and pomegranates. Medium-to full-bodied with a rich, fruity and flavorful palate. Dry. Drink now.

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Sauvignon Blanc

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Sparkling Wine

90 points

James Suckling

Sparkling Brut Rose

A dry and creamy sparkling wine with cherries and peaches, as well as bitter-lemon character. Medium body. Friendly and delicious. Nice alternative to rosé Champagne. 80% cabernet franc.

90 points

James Suckling

Sparkling Brut

A fruity, fine-bubbled sparkling wine with candied-apple, lemon and pie-crust aromas and flavors. A touch of sweetness at the end. Creamy and friendly. A blend of 50% chardonnay and 50% chenin blanc. Drink now.