2016 Brut Rosé - Lytle-Barnett

Crunchy yellow nectarine, flaky croissant, wild cherry. Ruby grapefruit, fallen pine needle, underripe red apple. An astoundingly energetic and engaging presentation delicately bursting with white strawberry, tart raspberry, and lemon zest writhes with incredible precision and purity as endless streams of tiny bubbles effortlessly provide attractive texture and depth. Notes of salted brioche and baker's yeast generously reveal extraordinary bready charms complicated by exciting streaks of chalky saline minerality. Gentle aromas of cherry blossom, wildflowers, and baby's-breath expose plenty of pretty yet understated floral character that rises above intriguing tertiary suggestions of dried leaves and autumn forest floor. Stunningly focused, nuanced, and serious on the palate while spilling layer after layer of weightless complexity; exhibiting a dry and thoroughly delicious presentation that is bright, crisp, and immensely characterful while still prioritizing subtlety and finesse. Medium bodied and brimming with pronounced acidity. This 2016 Brut Rosé by Lytle-Barnett is a world class and elegant sparkling wine from Oregon's Willamette Valley.

Though primarily known as one of America's greatest terroirs for still Pinot Noir, Oregon has also proven its potential to shape absolutely exceptional Pinot Noir-based sparkling wine. This bottling, crafted by Lytle-Barnett using 67% Pinot Noir/33% Chardonnay sourced from the Eola-Amity Hills, showcases just how exciting and complex well made Oregon bubbly can be. Crafted in Methodé Champenoise and aged on its lees for 3 full years, this wine contains a multidimensional yet delightfully delicate citrus, stone fruit, and berry-led profile layered with beautiful autolytic notes, chalky earthiness, and subtle tertiary development. Although drinking beautifully today there is no rush to pop the cork here, as this should hold for 3-5 years with ease. Outstanding.