rating B+

standout farming family that’s expanded into quality bubbles production

about only established in 2006, Caraccioli has quickly gained a high reputation for quality sparkling wine. Located in Santa Lucia Highlands in California’s Central Coast, the family has a long agricultural history (originally from Salinas, think Grapes of Wrath). Now into the fourth generation. Wines a little too expensive, which is often the case in California. Still wine also made.

wines tasted

Brut Cuvée 2016 ($55)

60% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir. A pleasing combination of freshness and maturity, with stone fruit, cooking apples, sweet spice, earthy aromas, with crisp acidity. A richer, California style (with a small amount of barrel fermentation), but still very fresh. Four years on the lees. One of the last wines to be made by founding winemaker Michel Salgues, who died in 2017.

Brut Rosé 2017 ($70)

50/50 Pinot Noir/Chardonnay. 20% fermentation in used oak barrels, with all the wine rested in barrel before second fermentation. 1% red wine (Pinot Noir) added for colour. Just over four years lees ageing. Delicate and not too ripe, with a lean acidic edge balancing the gently fruity red apple, cranberry, strawberry aromas, and a nice lees, toast, cinnamon complexity.

website https://www.caracciolicellars.com/

email info@caracciolicellars.com

phone +1 831 622 7722

address P.O. Drawer J, Gonzales, CA 93926