J Cuvée 20 Brut NV Russian River Valley 90 12.5% 750ml $38

This straw-colored J Vineyards sparkling wine shows its even mix of red and white fruit with aromas of strawberry, lemon, green apple, lime pith. The complex nose also offers toast, dried lemon grass, turmeric and sliced almond. The palate is lightly creamy and pleasantly juicy. Flavors include apple, strawberry, baking spice, toast and a touch of stone fruit. The attractive balance of sweetness to acidity makes this sparkler very drinkable on its own, but the flavor intensity allows it to hold up very well to a wide range of foods. Enjoy it now through 2022.

This current release of J Vineyards’ Cuvée 20 Brut is 50% Chardonnay, 49% Pinot Noir and 1% Pinot Meunier. The fruit is crushed in a broad and shallow Coquard press, traditional to Champagne, which preserves freshness and minimizes skin contact. After secondary fermentation, the wine aged sur lie in bottle for at least 3 years. Dosage is 1.4%, but brisk acidity creates the perception that it’s drier. 20,000 cases.

J Brut Rosé NV Russian River Valley 91 12.5% 750ml $45

J Brut Rosé

Light peach in color with streams of very fine bubbles, the J Brut Rosé emphasizes red and orange fruit—strawberry jam and, especially, tangerine peel—on the nose along with spice, green apple, tangy stone fruit and toast. The creamy mousse delivers medium+ body with flavors of orange cream, spice, green apple, lemon and just-ripe red berries. Length is impressive with the flavors riding waves of acidity. This wine will work very well at the dinner table, but consider breakfast as well (but don’t use syrup).

The blend for the J Vineyards sparkling Brut Rosé is 66% Pinot Noir, 33% Chardonnay and 1% Pinot Meunier. Dosage is just 1.15% and pH a brisk 3.12. Color was created not by blending in still red wine, but by allowing a small amount of the pressed Pinot Noir juice to linger on the skins.

Copyright Fred Swan 2017. Photos courtesy of J Vineyards and Winery. All rights reserved.