To say that I expected a 2000 sparkling wine from Massachusetts to be a) a current release and b) awesome would be lying. But when I recently had the chance to taste this Westport Rivers offering, thanks to Ablegrape founder Doug Cook, I was more than impressed. Crisp yet remarkably rounded out by over seven years on lees, it had a pretty much perfect combination of toasty, pastry, citrusy, and mineral notes, with just a nice touch of gentle oxidation and a bit of fresh apple, great length and fine bubbles. This 100% chardonnay sparkling wine is well worth its $30 sale price, and it is yet another proof (along with the quality of Nova Scotia bubblies, for instance) that East Coast wine regions have great conditions to produce top sparkling wines. Highly recommended.
WHO: Westport Rivers Vineyards and Winery
WHAT: Chardonnay
WHERE: Massachusetts
WHEN: 2000
HOW MUCH: $29.99
