Distributor Notes:

You know of Michael Cruse's Ultramarine "Heintz Vineyard" Blanc de Blancs as California's first cult sparkling wine. To this day it remains (by far) the most noteworthy example in the category produced in the United States each year, continues to be extremely difficult to source, and with a 200+ per bottle price tag in most retail resale situations, it remains out of reach for most in terms of price.

"...yes this is from Michael's first and third pressings, since he is only using the second pressing for Ultramarine" Bryan continues, "he makes the wine for my friend Charlie Heintz who grows Michael's grapes, and always one to push boundaries, we suppose Michael kept this gem in tirage for the last nine years as an experiment as to how far the boundaries could be pushed."

Out of the glass leaps everything you expect and then some. Golden color, honey, apple, and toasty filbert on the nose, followed by layer after layer of flavor (think custard, brioche, pear, baking spice, yuzu, I can go on and on...), with tremendous liveliness and energy (especially notable given the eleven-year-age!) on what one can describe as a perfect-texture palate. The trademark firm acidity that Cruse is celebrated for holds all components together in what is one of the most compelling sparkling wines I've tasted in a very, very long time...