A red fruit-forward nose with a tropical expressionof litchi nut and mango. Vanilla cream character which makes for a round and full-bodied wine. After 2 years on lees there are notes of freshly baked bread and pastry that enhances the more fruit-forward style of the wine. After several months on the cork the wine develops caramel and hazelnut complexities.

Review

"This is a beautiful brut, easily worth its price. It shows the fancy elegance of more expensive bubblies, with its refined texture and rich but subtle flavors strawberries, peaches and brioche. Made from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, and easy to find." -Editors Choice, S.H. Wine Enthusiast Magazine.

Wine maker notes

The wine is two-thirds Pinot Noir which produces a red fruit forward nose (cherry and plum) combined with one-third Chardonnay which adds the tropical expression of lychee nut and mango. The 100% malolactic fermentation adds a vanilla cream character producing a round and full-bodied wine. After approximately two years on the lees, there are notes of freshly baked bread and pastry that enhances the more fruit forward style of the wine. Finally, after several months on the cork, the wine develops caramel and hazel complexors.

Technical notes

Scharffenberger Brut is made by the traditional methode champenoise process, whereby the wines are individually bottle-fermented before being riddled and disgorged. The wine is approximately two-thirds Pinot Noir and one-third Chardonnay and undergoes 100% malolactic fermentation. Scharffenberger Brut is made from its own 120-acre vineyards in the Anderson Valley. In addition, Scharffenberger Cellars has long-term contracts with select vineyards in the greater Mendocino County. With this type of vineyard selection, it allows us to produce our trademark cuvee from the best local vineyards.

Other text

The history of Scharffenberger Cellars begins in 1981 in the heart of California's Anderson Valley. Situated only miles from the coastal influences of the Pacific Ocean, Scharffenberger Cellars also enjoys the deep soils and sunshine within the protected valley. Originally founded by John Scharffenberger, the company has gone through many transitions, including a name change when it was formally known as Pacific Echo from 1998 until July 2004. Today, the name and quality of the wine have been restored back to Scharffenberger Cellars under the new management of Maisons Marques & Domaines.

Food pairing

Serve with oysters, bay scallop appetizers, rich creamy cheeses and fresh tropical fruit.

Producer

The history of Scharffenberger Cellars begins in 1981 in the heart of California’s Anderson Valley. Originally founded by John Scharffenberger, the company has gone through many transitions, including a name change when it was formally known as Pacific Echo from 1998 to 2004. Today, the name has been changed back to Scharffenberger Cellars under the new management of Maisons, Marques & Domaines. The first release will be the Scharffenberger Brut.