rating A+

standout the best sparkling wine in California

about Roederer Estate was founded in the 1980s as a tax write-off under socialist President François Mitterand. Unconvinced that California that could produce good sparkling wine or that they would make any money out of the project, they researched the best location almost just for the sake of it: completely different from other Champagne producers who invested in California to make more money. They landed in Mendocino, where there’s a cooling influence from the Pacific and from elevation. All the wines come from estate fruit, farmed organically and biodynamically. There’s a ripe fruitiness that is characteristic of California, but with crisp acidity: there’s a genuine sense of place to the wines (even if their quality can lead them to be confused with champagne itself).

wines tasted

Brut NV ($25)

Widely available and extremely affordable for its quality. Stone and tropical fruit aromas, with toasty aromas from two years’ lees ageing. 10g/L of sugar adds to fruity, ripe style. 10-15% of the wine is from oak-aged reserves. 60% Chardonnay and 40% Pinot Noir.

“Library Reserve” NV

Only available at the winery in small amounts, this is the Brut with extra bottle ageing. A clear example—in general, not just of Roederer Estate’s wines—of the ageing capacity of a non-vintage wine commercially released to be drunk immediately.

“L’ermitage” ($68)

Various vintageas have been tasted over the years. Current release is 2015: the blend is 52% Pinot Noir, 48% Chardonnay, aged for six years with a small amount of reserve wines for a combination of fresh apple, citrus, and stone fruit aromas and a nutty maturity. Dosage is 8g/L, which adds to the rich mouthfeel balanced by crisp acidity. Capable of ageing for another decade at least.

website https://roedererestate.com/

email info@roedererestate.net

phone +1 707 895 2288

address 4501 Highway 128, Philo