2019 Westborn Brut

WA96 The first vintage release from Westborn, the 2019 Brut features toasty-nutty aromas and hints of sautéed mushrooms, while the fruit elements veer toward ripe citrus—let’s call it orange. Initial fermentation and aging six months in oak (with roughly 10% new wood), followed by the wine staying on the lees a remarkable 52 months after the second fermentation, provides impressive richness without excess weight, so this medium- to full-bodied sparkler is rich, creamy and completely dry (the dosage is an exceptionally low two grams per liter), with a long, harmonious finish. For those who find it important, it’s 59% Pinot Noir and 41% Chardonnay.
JD95 A more Pinot Noir-dominated release, the 2019 Brut is 59% Pinot Noir and 41% Chardonnay, bottled with 2 grams of dosage. Tart stone fruits, sappy, white flowers, green almond, and chalky mineral notes all shine in this beauty, and it’s beautiful on the palate, with a pure, elegant, seamless, yet still chiseled and focused style. The lower dosage keeps this steely and focused, and it’s actually more in a Blanc de Blancs style, despite the blend.