Hello Ladies and Gentlemen,

I cannot believe we are already past Christmas! I hope everyone enjoyed the festivities this year. I say we send 2020 off with a pop (and fizz) and thank the good Lord above that 2021 is coming! This year has been quite a year. Many people had to change their lives quite dramatically, whether it be work (I’ve been working from home since March), child care (Jay’s finally back to live schooling!), or social distancing. This is been a year of learning, growing, and hopefully becoming closer to loved ones. Let’s try to take to positives of 2020 and implement them into a stellar 2021! So Let’s Celebrate with some awesome Bubbles!!!!!!!! See you in the New Year!

Caraccioli Brut Cuvée Vintage 2013

Santa Lucia Highlands, California

Cash Price $33.69 but only $31.99 for a limited time with your Spec’s Key

I heard through the grapevine that this winery was producing some of the finest bubbles in America, so I searched them out to see if all the hype was true. Well folks, It is. Their sparkling wines are legit. The Brut Cuvée is from their Santa Lucia Highlands Escolle Estate Vineyard and is composed of 60% Chardonnay and 40% Pinot Noir. The wine is produced in the traditional method (Methode Champenoise) and aged for 4 years on the lees, then was disgorged in March of 2018. Michel Salgues, former head winemaker at Roederer Estate, is the winemaker for this brilliant bubbly and has shown the excellent opportunity for sparkling wines in the micro climate of the Santa Lucia Highlands. The wine has a light pale core with millions of bubbles cascading throughout the glass. Aromatics of brioche, lemon cream, and crisp honey apples waft into the nose. The palate has pinpoint precision with exceptional notes of white flowers, lychee, and lemon slices bursting into the scene with rounded notes of confection and donut dough. The finish has a deliciously racy minerality with excellent acidity to keep focus and twinges of hazelnut and cream. Barlow Score: 95 Points

Louis de Sacy Grand Cru Champagne N/V

Champagne, France

Cash Price $38.29

I recently had the pleasure of tasting this wine with the French/American Chamber of Commerce. It was drinking wonderfully!  He is a 12th generation grape grower and 4th generation wine maker.  In other words….Its in his blood.  He grew up in the vineyards forgoing school to focus his attention on his true love, grapes.  His son and daughter have decided to become the 13th generation and the legacy of this boutique Champagne house continues.  Alain is a minimalist in producing his sparkling wine, allowing the grapes to speak from his Grand Cru vineyards in the quaint town of Verzy.  Grand Cru vineyards are considered the finest in all Champagne.  It is rare to find Grand Cru at such an affordable price!  Pure, zesty flavors of citrus lemon lay on the edgy backbone of deliciously refreshing acidity.  He adds minimal dosage (6 grams) and allows fruits of bright red cherry and rose petals to flow seamlessly through the palate.  The finish offers hints of brioche and wild flowers with an undertone of wet rock minerality.  Yum!  Barlow Score: 92 Points

Ca’Momi ‘Heartcraft’ Brut Rose N/V

Napa Valley, California

Cash Price $12.99 but only $9.99 for a limited time with your Spec’s Key!

Deliciously soft on the palate, flavors of ripe strawberries and sweet red cherries burst into millions of bubbles.  A creamy core offers hints of cherry cobbler crust and citrus.  The finish gives hints of bread crumbs and confection. Make this your starter for all the New Year’s Eve festivities!  Barlow Score: 88 Points

Thank you,

James C. Barlow CWE, CSS

Spec’s Fine Wine Buyer