Magic in a Bottle for Ringing in the New Year!
Our selection of fantastic Domestic Sparkling wines continues to grow from strength to strength and as we approach 2026 we have over 70 options in stock. So, what to choose? Well we have the classics: Roederer Estate, Schramberg, J Vineyards. But we also have a beautiful selection of small production sparkling wines that are very much following the boutique, Grower Champagne type model with unwavering focus on quality, complexity and expression terroir. So, as we get ready to ring in another new year (my 15th here at K&L) I decided to highlight a few very special wines that are on my short list for popping when the ball drops (likely at NY time)! Wishing you all a wonderful New Year and health and happiness for 2026 and beyond! Cheers!
2023 Brick & Mortar Sonoma Coast Brut Rosé Sparkling Wine $24.95 95JS Brick & Mortar are making some of the best value wines (both still and sparkling) in the state. Husband and wife duo Matt and Alexis Iaconis source from incredible vineyards throughout Sonoma and Mendocino, and have a real knack for crafting delicious, pure, focused wines that drink well above their typically modest price points. Take this Brut Rosé for example, sourced from ultra cool-climate vineyards on the Sonoma Coast, 50% Pinot Noir, 50% Chardonnay, whole-cluster pressed, stainless steel fermented, then given 2 years on lees before disgorging with a very low dosage of just 2g/L. Crisp, dry, hints of crushed raspberry, citrus oil, wet stone, almond croissant, baker’s yeast. Very focused and zippy on the palate with mouth watering acidity pulling you back for another sip.
2020 Anonymous Wine Collective "Manchester Ridge Vineyard" Mendocino Ridge Blanc de Blancs Sparkling Wine $29.95 (Elsewhere $50) I had to include our very own Anonymous Blanc de Blanc on the list as it remains one of the most incredible deals in sparkling wine that I’ve come across this year. At this point I’ve drunk this wine on many different occasions, in different settings, and it has never failed to impress. Sourced from the high elevation Manchester Ridge Vineyard on the remote Mendocino coast. The base wine was fermented in seasoned French oak barrels and rested sur lee in barrel for a year prior to an additional 4 years aging on tirage. After these 5 years of gaining complexity, texture, and depth of flavor, it was entirely hand-riddled and bottled without any dosage. The wine has an incredible combination of richness and focus. The power of the Old Wente Clone Chardonnay, shows through, the salinity from the proximity to the coast, the complex toasty, yeasty, autolytic notes that can only come for extended lees aging take this wine into another dimension. I highly recommend not serving this wine too cold. The very best sips I’ve had of this wine have often been once it has warmed up a little in the glass, really allowing the expansive flavors to shine.
Rhys "Perpetual Reserve" California Sparkling Wine $59.95 (Elsewhere $80) 95JD 94VN I actually drank a bottle of this on Christmas Eve with a beautiful cheese and charcuterie plate and it was phenomenal! As you probably know, I love all things Rhys and believe this estate to be at the very pinnacle of California fine wine production. So, not surprisingly their bubbles are beautiful! Despite the rather misleading, broad, “California” designation on the bottle, this wine is produced entirely from organic, biodynamic, estate-grown fruit. Hailing largely from Bearwallow Vineyard in the deep end of Anderson Valley, plus a dash of fruit from their Mt. Pajaro Estate Vineyard in the Corralitos sub-region of the Santa Cruz Mountains. The base wine of 70% Chardonnay and 30% Pinot Noir is very gently pressed, then fermented and rested in neutral oak for 8 months. The wine is then carefully blended with a solera of reserve wines dating back to the 2016 vintage. Then is given a further 2+ years aging on tirage. The result is magical. The vibrancy of the fruit combined with the depth and complexity the reserve wines gives is stunning. Crystalline citrus fruits, chalky minerals, golden bread crust, salted butter. So fine and refreshing. What a lovely bottle this is!
Tyler "Perpetual Reserve" Sta. Rita Hills Brut Sparkling Wine $49.95 93VN Justin Willet at Tyler has long been a benchmark winemaker for the Sta. Rita Hills. His Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines have helped establish the region as a place where truly world-class wines can be made. Justin takes the same focus and attention to detail when it comes to his sparkling wines. After working alongside luminary Rodolphe Peters from Champagne Pierre Péters for many years, Justin takes his sparkling wine program very seriously. This Perpetual Reserve bottling is grown at Tyler’s Mae Estate Vineyard from organically farmed Pinot Noir (60%) and Chardonnay (40%). The base wines are from 2020, 2021, and 2022 as part of an ongoing perpetual reserve program. The wine aged on tirage for 3 years and was finished with a low dosage of 3 g/L. Electric acidity and laser-like focus from the cold, windy location of the vineyard is balanced with a luxuriously textured mousse and toasty brioche hints. Great length and minerality on the palate that goes on and on. A beautiful wine and a very reasonable price given the quality.
2019 Caraccioli "Escolle Vineyard - Brut Cuvée" Santa Lucia Highlands Sparkling Wine $59.95 98JD 96WE Another longtime favorite of mine, the Caraccioli Family have long been making world-class sparkling wines from their revered Escolle Vineyard in the Santa Lucia Highlands. This site is in the even cooler northern portion of the AVA very close to the frigid Monterey Bay. The winds rip down the valley here constantly buffeting the vines and keeping temperatures very cool. The vines are perched on an elevated bench that runs along the north east facing slopes of the Salinas Mountains. The soils are granitic loam that has eroded down from the mountains. This 2019 vintage dated wine is composed of 60% Chardonnay and 40% Pinot Noir. The wine aged a full 6 years on less, something that is very rare to see outside of the most expensive Tête de Cuvée Champagnes. The wine is so expressive with white blossom, lemon cream, buttered toast, sea breeze saltiness, and rocky minerals. The flavors resonate time and time again on the broad yet energized palate. A wow wine for sure. Top quality stuff.
2013 Argyle "Extended Tirage" Willamette Valley Brut Sparkling Wine $69.95 96OB Producing sparkling wines since 1987, the “Extended Tirage” edition from Argyle is a true testament to their unwavering commitment to producing world-class, traditional method sparkling wines in Oregon. You don’t lay a wine down on the lees and forget about it for more than 10 years unless you're fully committed to quality. This is a very expensive endeavor, because time is money! What time is also, when it comes to sparkling wine, is complexity and character that can’t be replicated any other way. After a year in neutral oak and stainless steel, this wine sat for a full decade on tirage, before being disgorged in batches (so this wine has actually likely had over a decade of aging). Composed of 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay. Dosed with a minimal 3g/L. If you love toasty richness in your sparkling wine give this a whirl. Despite the time on lees and 12+ years since these clusters came off the vine, there is wonderful vibrancy and freshness here, too. That long lees aging in a bottle is really like a time capsule locking in all the bright, zesty fruit and palate tingling minerality just waiting to be released by that magic pop as the cork comes out! Amazing stuff!
- Ryan Woodhouse, K&L Domestic Wine Buyer