On Sale: $29.94 (was: $34.94)*
Taittinger Champagne’s American outpost Domaine Carneros has been going strong for 30 years now, and is firmly established as one of the most reliably excellent sources of domestic bubbly. While it may have at one point depended entirely on Taittinger for its reputation, Domaine Carneros now very much stands on its own two feet, making “excellent, vintage-dated sparklers made by the traditional method” (Decanter).
This vintage Brut is a bit of a signature wine for Domaine Carneros, and a perfect introduction to their utterly classic vintage bubblies. What really sets this apart from Champagne however is the incredible price. At under 30 bucks, this absolutely blows any similarly priced Champagne out of the water, and you’ll be hard pressed to find such a complex, yet eminently drinkable Brut from anywhere but Carneros!
“One of the crown jewels in Champagne” (Galloni), Taittinger is a historic family-owned producer, and they set their sights on Carneros all the way back in 1987. The family partnered with Eileen Crane to start the winery, and she has been overseeing the operation ever since, offering an extraordinary 30+ year continuity. With a solar powered winery, organic farming, and Napa Green certified sustainable, Domaine Carneros sets a pretty high standard across their range, but it’s at the vintage level that we think the value is really off the charts. Plus, they are certified vegan too! With a price that sits midway between daily drinker and special occasion wine, this vintage Brut would wear either hat easily!
93 points, Wine Enthusiast: "Blending 53% Pinot Noir, 44% Chardonnay and 3% Pinot Gris into a cohesive whole, this sparkler is aged nearly four years. Effusively fruity and balanced in acidity, it offers rich, rounded notes of pear, green apple and melon that contrast against a bite of cookie."
92 points, Wine Spectator: "Sleek and steely, with precise lemon, fresh ginger, blanched almond and strawberry flavors that build richness on a long finish."
*Offer publication date April 12, 2022. Pricing and availability subject to change.