2021 Goat Bubbles, Pinot Meunier

Awards

Wine Enthusiast 93 points.

Riverbench's planting of Pinot Meunier is showing up in numerous bottlings now, introducing a generation to this third Champagne grape. A mellow shade of pink in the glass, this bottling offers rose petal, pink lemon and wet-clay aromas on the nose. The palate snaps with pomegranate and raspberry flavors as a chalky texture holds to the finish.

--Matt Kettmann

Food Pairing

Pair with salmon sushi to match the color palette. Peach crumble pie and coconut gelato, Marcona almonds, prawns or shrimp, green olive tapenade, feta dolma are some other fun pairings. We cannot promise longevity or immortality upon whoever consumes this nectar of the Gods but we are sure that you will be enchanted by it.

Production Notes

Pinot Meunier; 175 cases produced

Tasting Notes

This is our interpretation of Ambrosia, the Immortality drink! Enjoy the coral color and feather soft hues of this playful sparkler! It’s delicately scented with pink rose notes, fresh star fruit, golden kiwi and guava on the nose. This Extra Brut expression offers flavors of orange peach to delight the palate, along with subtle nuances of ruby red grapefruit. Barbie would say this is a fun, flavorful and refreshing bubbles to enjoy while watching her movie.

Vineyard Notes

Riverbench Vineyard was established in 1973, when the first Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes were planted on the bank of the Sisquoc River, known as the Santa Maria Bench. Riverbench Vineyard currently consists of 115 acres of Pinot Noir and 15 acres of Chardonnay. In 2015, Riverbench added the third great grape varietal famous in Champagne, Pinot Meunier, to their vineyard.

Winemaker Notes

Our first vintage of Riverbench Pinot Meunier, 2021, coincided with the release of the movie "Barbie” and was quickly dubbed “Barbie Bubbles” due to the playful color of the label and wax cap. It is an Extra Brut expression.