NV Racines Grand Reserve Sparkling Chardonnay
"The NV Sparkling Wine Grand Reserve is the first release in Racines' sparkling wine project, done in collaboration with Rodolphe Peters. The first thing about the Grand Reserve readers need to know is that it is a serious wine that greatly benefits from aeration. In fact, it only improved over the several days I followed it in bottle. My initial impression, however, was far less positive. So patience is key. Rich, ample and creamy with air, the Grand Reserve shows the rich, phenolic, mineral side of Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay to great effect. Moreover, it has all the elements that are so often missing in the new wave of California sparking wines, namely a fine mousse, good mid-palate depth and a long finish. The Racines sparkling wine is a work in progress, but the debut release is hugely promising. (Drink between 2022-2027) -Antonio Galloni, Vinous 94VM
When two of France’s most storied producers unite to create world class wines that rival their homegrown bottlings, the wine world takes notice. Burgundy's Étienne de Montille and Rodolphe Péters of Champagne house, Pierre Peters, settled on the Santa Rita Hills due to its cool climate and highly varied soils. Initially they partnered with Justin Willett (Native9, Tyler) to be their onsite co-producer, but after he purchased Fiddlestix Vyd, they realized that a full-time, ‘in-house’ producer was needed, and pried Ryan Hannaford away from Oregon’s Evening Land and Patricia Green vineyards.
