A fresh new release from Scharffenberger, Roederer Estate’s sister winery in Anderson Valley, this feels clean and sunny, with green melon, raw almond and green tea notes that last. It’s refreshing and comfortably balanced, the best wine from Scharffenberger we’ve tasted in many years.

In recent years, Scharffenberger’s Brut Excellence bottlings have racked up a fair share of 'Good Value' recommendations, but, as this latest offering so clearly reaffirms, they are surprisingly serious wines whose marriage of vital fruit and yeasty richness would make them no less praiseworthy if costing considerably more. In this outing, the wine teams zesty, green apple fruit with a good deal of autolyzed complexity and earns further applause for its impeccable balance and ceaseless, very fine bubbles. It joins its Brut Rosé companion reviewed just above in earning high marks for its crafting and keen champenoise expression, and, the two offer a level of quality and satisfaction that is hard to beat at the price. *Good Value*

A lively sparkler, crisp and spritzy, with easygoing pear, lemon and creamy spice flavors. (TF)