2014 Poe Wines, Sparkling Rosé of Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir, Sonoma County.
The Poe Rosé Methode Champenoise Sparkling Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir, crafted from vines at Van der Kamp Vineyard, high on Sonoma Mountain using grapes that were picked on August 30th of 2014, and fermented in barrel with native yeast and rested sur lie, it’s a remarkable example of California bubbles, maybe one of the best I’ve had! Samantha Sheehan of Poe Wines is an exceptional talent and her lineup is beyond noteworthy, her wines are some of the most intriguing you are going to find, and this Meunier driven sparkler is out of this world with vivid details and class, she allowed the wine finish primary then in January of 2016, she bottled the wine for another fermentation in bottle, as is done in Champagne, and then allowed it to age on the lees until March of 2018 when it was disgorged. Van der Kamp, planted in the early 1950’s, it is possibly the oldest planting of Pinot Noir in the state, and that Pinot adds structure and yeasty form to this lusty Rosé, while the Meunier gives that wonderful purity of fruit and I believe a streak of minerallity, this stuff is full of personality and charm it in fact reminds me of some of my favorite Champagnes like those of Christophe Mignon and Aurélien Laherte, both of which make exciting grower fizz. This Poe sparkler joins a few ultra premium California producers of fine bubbly, this one in particular is in league with the likes of Michael Cruse marker of Ultramarine, which is one of the hardest wines to get in California, Lichen by Dan Rivin and Monterey’s Caraccioli Cellars. As noted in my prior reviews on Poe, Samantha Sheehan founded POE in 2009 after being inspired by the wines she tasted in Burgundy and Champagne, and she is fulfilling her dream and her potential in making terroir driven wines in California, I keep getting blown away with every new set of her wines, and this is something special, it takes it’s place along side Samantha’s fabulous Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, and in recent years she has become a champion of Pinot Meunier both in Sparkling and still wines. This 2014 vintage Rosé has stunning vitality to match the Krug like barrel ferment textural richness and depth with sexy layering of flavors on the palate with a creamy, but perky mousse, it shows tangy cherry, strawberry, raspberry water, wet stone, brioche/toast, citrus and a hint of rosewater, it’s leesy decedent bubbly that thrills from start to finish. If you want something fun, but ultra serious in quality, you won’t want to miss this stylish Sparkling Rosé from Poe Wines, it’s pretty limited so if you want it for the Holiday season or because you love fine bubbly, you better not wait. Note meant to be an after thought, Sheenan’s Sparkling Rosé is even better with cuisine, it sings with food, it certainly is not just for rare celebrations, it deserves more attention than that, it is truly magnificent.
($42 Est.) 96 Points, grapelive
