Today we share one of the great bubbles producers of the Anderson Valley. Scharffenberger Cellars was founded back in 1981 and is located only a few miles from Pacific Ocean. The brand was started by John Scharffenberger, and was bought by Louis Roederer in 2004. Winemaker Jeffrey Jindra crafts some beautiful value sparkling wines that are fresh and vibrant with great texture. The tasting room is in a charming Mendocino country bungalow in downtown Philo. Behind it, the 35,000-square-foot winery sits to the north amid hillside vineyards. An old redwood grove has been carefully protected on the 160-acre property.
Check out the NV Scharffenberger ‘Brut Rose’ Sparkling Wine (OB, 91) which has great freshness and salty nuance. Learn more about this storied Anderson Valley house at https://scharffenbergercellars.com and here are my notes on the beautiful new sparkling wines.
NV Scharffenberger ‘Brut Excellence’ Sparkling Wine- A terrific value, the NV Scharffenberger ‘Brut Excellence’ Sparkling Wine is composed of 60% Chardonnay with the remainder Pinot Noir. This has juicy orchard fruits that mingle well with kiwi and nutty accents on the palate. Enjoy now. Drink 2025-2030- 90
NV Scharffenberger ‘Brut Rose’ Sparkling Wine- Another fantastic edition of this wine, the Brut Rose, combines 55% Chardonnay with 45% Pinot Noir. Lively and fresh on the tongue, this delivers bright guava and red cherry flavors that meld well with Mandarin orange zest on the palate. Drink 2025-2030- 91
2019 Scharffenberger ‘Blanc de Noirs’ Sparkling Wine- A really good vintage sparkling wine, the 2019 ‘Blanc de Noirs’ opens with guava and cranberry tones on the nose alongside suggestions of baking spice laced pastry crust. A soft mousse greets you as layers of melon and citrus fruits collide with a dusting of Yakima cherry. Enjoy now and over the next decade. Drink 2025-2035- 92