The Wine News:  "Fresh aromas of butterscotch and croissant with yeasty, bakery notes. Bright peach and apricot flavors with a green apple tartness. Fresh, steely close with a mix of lemon drop and minerals."

Wine Enthusiast:  Rated as Excellent, extremely well made and highly recommended. "Great price for a brut this classically structured. Made from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, it’s dry and crisp, with a fine mousse that gives it a creamy smooth mouthfeel. The pineapple, raspberry and vanilla flavors are delicious." Dec 2010

Wine Spectator:  Rated as Outstanding: a wine of superior character and style. "Bright aromas of green apple and lime lead to vibrant, layered flavors of citrus, anise and creamy vanilla in this sparkler. Drink now. 25,000 cases made." Web only 2011

Wine & Spirits:  Rated as Exceptional examples of their type. "This is a pale, dry sparkling wine with a robust pinot noir scent. The yeastiness leaves an impression of smoky richness, with a stony mineral note. Delicious with wood-roasted oysters." Dec 2009

Winery:  "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."

Wired For Wine:  We agree with all of the above, and consequently recommend this Scharffenberger Brut wholeheartedly.  Enjoy a bottle sans food in front of the fireplace/sunset/beach/mountains or in the hot tub...  You won't be disappointed.  If you're hungry, the fine mousse, white stone fruit, citrus, minerals and delicious yeastiness will pair fabulously with oysters, lobster, chicken, egg dishes, fried foods, sushi, and our personal favorite: caviar.  Whether it's to get an event rolling, to accompany the meal, or to bring some festive to brunch, this Scharffenberger is beautiful Brut.  Grab it while you can, winelovers, the holidays are coming!!!

Size:  750ml; cork
Varietal:  65% Pinot Noir, 35% Chardonnay
Alcohol:  12.0%
Ageing:  Scharffenberger Brut is made by the traditional methode champenoise process, whereby the wines are individually bottle-fermented before being riddled and disgorged.
Region:  Anderson Valley, California