Medium copper color; raspberry, brioche, red cherry on the nose; raspberry, strawberry, red fruit, apple, bread yeast, vanilla on the palate.
Brut; fine bubbles; fresh acidity frames the fruit. Some complexity but un-demanding. Traditional method; made in Germany. Broad-shouldered sparkling. Creamy in the mouth. Smokey notes on the finish which, in first sip, were problematic. But with brief exposure to air, by third sip it became an asset rather than a “whoa, what was that” liability. Let this breath a bit to bring out its best. The sparkling evolves in your mouth and your glass. Nice. 12.5% ABV
This is a serious rosé with a long, silky finish. Medium body. Fun to drink—skittish wine drinkers can enjoy this without bolting from the assertive bubbles and fruit. Certified organic; 100% pinot noir. Impressive intensity, balanced. Grapes selectively hand-picked. Short maceration. Only the cuvée—the first 50% of the pressing—deployed to make the sparkling. Fermentation and maturation partially in stainless steel and partially in 634-gallon barrels. After the second fermentation, the wine rests for 26 months on the lees.
Founded in 1849 by Franz Peter Buhl (1809-1862), Weingut Reichsrat von Buhl has been a family-owned winery for more than 150 years. Throughout its history, it has focused on a terroir-dominated, timeless style. Wines still ferment in the ancient estate cellar, as they have for more than a century.
At the same time, the winery embraces contemporary practices that support its founding philosophy. The winery is certified organic and supports natural, sustainable viticulture. Since 2013, it has been led technical director Mathieu Kauffmann and his new team. Werner Sebastian is the long-term viticultural manager.
Von Buhl Rosé Brut 2018 delivers impressive intensity, balance, fresh acidity. Long, silky finish. Good structure. If you have never tasted sekt—the name for German sparkling—give this a pour. Pair with poultry, especially baked chicken instead of fried; lean fish; appetizers and snack food; works as an aperitif. Cheese—sparkling is so versatile this will pair with almost any cheese. $36-45
