Enjoyed on: February 25, 2021

Color: Autumn Morning. Pale amber that’s soothing and warm, tinged with nostalgia.

Nose: Everyone's nose is different. E got a sharp hit to the nose that stung in a pleasant, citrusy way. Yeasty. J got more floral and light notes, calling to mind a bouquet of something subtle like daisies.

Taste: Butterscotch and bread. Maybe a bread pudding laced with brown sugar caramel. Light, airy, baked goods. This is the feeling you want when you leave a bakery. At the same time, this is tangy, loaded with citrus and particularly lemon and lime. Citrus flavors were dominant for J, who scribbled "Freshly squeezed juice" as we drank. That citrus-forward quality comes as a surprise when compared with other Pinot Noir-heavy sparkling wines.

Softness at the back of the tongue comes in next, reminding us of mango. Extremely drinkable. Supple and smooth, this is largely a textural experience.

We just sat there on the couch saying to each other, “This is so good.” We both agree that this is a well-rounded bottle, with a flavor that develops on the palate long after the sip.

Did you know that Gruet produces their Méthode Champenoise sparkling wines in New Mexico, with a vineyard near Albuquerque? Someday soon we need to go back to New Mexico to try this stuff in situ. We can picture ourselves drinking it in desert sunlight. Would a blanc de noirs go with green chile??