2022 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

A wide range of recommended pairings include coconut shrimp, grilled salmon glazed with yuzu sauce, pork chops with applesauce, Humboldt Fog or an apricot tart.

Production Notes

Pinot Meunier; 197 cases produced

Tasting Notes

Enjoy the exquisite golden apricot color of this delicious sparkler. The aromatics range from fresh peaches and apricots to sweet pink grapefruit; a beautiful nectar. The palate is reminiscent of a tart apricot kombucha. Savor the layered rich finish.

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. This is an Extra Brut expression with no dosage.