n.v. M. Bonnamy, Crémant de Loire, Brut Sparkling Wine, Loire Valley, France.
One of my favorite and go to bubblies is the M. Bonnamy Crémant, with both their 100% Cabernet Franc Brut Rosé and this regular Brut being exceptional values, with this disgorgement being wonderfully fresh and lively in the glass going fabulously well with a selection of raw oysters. The latest Crémant de Loire Brut lifts from the glass with subtle yeasty notes, bright citrus and delicate florals that lead to a vigorously beading mousse on the palate with core of lemon, white peach, apple and unripe crisp pear fruits, along with some light leesy hazelnut and bread dough, as well as some wet stone notes. I really love this bargain priced bubbly, it way over performs and is a better and more interesting option than most Prosecco or bulk made Cava.
The M. Bonnamy Crémant de Loire Brut, as mentioned here before in prior reviews, is a blend of Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc. All of the fruit for M. Bonnamy, as importer Sacred Thirst notes, is all hand harvested, then gently pressed and fermented at cool temperatures in order to retain the delicate esters and aromatics of the grapes. After an assemblage of the best lots, the wines, which get a low dosage to remain dry Brut offerings, undergo a second fermentation and aging in the bottle for 12 months before being disgorged. The brilliantly pale straw/gold Brut, as mentioned above was great with oysters, and it also did nicely with a bowl of steamed mussels and I highly recommend it for all party occasions and meals, when you you need a quality value priced sparkling wine.
($18 Est.) 90 Points, grapelive