Chandon Brut Classic, Napa/Sonoma NV
Price $18
Rating 90
There are distinct aromas of crisp apple, pear and spicy citrus, then flavors of toasted brioche, roasted nuts, orange marmalade and tropical lime through the assertively long finish.

Chandon Reserve Brut, Napa/Sonoma NV
Price $24
Rating 91
"I love the toasty, nutty elements. We age this four to five years on the yeast." says Ellen Flora, Chandon director of wine education. This sparkler is definitely rich and creamy with toasted wheat bread and biscuit-like aromas and flavors, followed by orange marmalade and continued nuttiness.

Chandon Blanc de Noir, Napa/Sonoma NV
Price $18
Rating 91
The nose is creamy with hints of strawberry and cherry. There are flavors of creamy rich fruit laced with tropical lime notes. As a pioneer of this unique sparkling style since 1974, Chandon showcases only red varieties in this wine. It is fruit-driven and full-flavored, this sparkling wine featuring pinot noir and pinot meunier has become one of their most popular wines.

Chandon Riche Extra Dry, Napa/Sonoma NV
Price $18
Rating 89
Note that sparkling wines designated as Extra Dry are actually a bit sweeter than a wine classified as Brut. Sweetness can be a good thing with spicy cuisine. A sniff of the wine offers a honeyed and floral bouquet, with flavors of peach and white nectarine.

Chandon Etoile Brut, Napa NV
Price $35
Rating 91
The wine has less of a pinot noir profile than Chandon's usual Brut blend.
The nose and palate is lean and refined. There is subtly crisp apple and apple blossom, along with notes of almond, anise and citrus blossom.

Chandon Etoile Rose, Napa NV
Price $35
Rating 91
There are aromas of strawberry confit along with rich cherry, then flavors of cherry, bright strawberry and blanched almond.

Domaine Carneros by Taittinger Brut Cuvee, Napa 1999 Price $23 Rating 93 Fresh aromas of crisp apple and wet stone, then flavors of crisp white fruit, lemon and a little brioche dough demonstrate that this is an elegant sparkling wine.

Domaine Carneros by Taittinger "Le Reve" Carneros 1996 Price $55 Rating 94 There are elegant aromas of refined white fruit with some tropical fruit elements, with rich flavors of lemon creme and toasted whole wheat bread.

Gloria Ferrer Brut Rose "Lot 400" Carneros NV Price $35 Rating 93 Aromas of lemon peel, mineral and brioche, then flavors of rich lemon, meaty nut flesh, lime and delicate toasted brioche through the long length.

Iron Horse "Wedding Cuvee," Sonoma 1999
Price $30
Rating 92
A sniff offers clean aromas of delicate white fruit and citrus. There are flavors of roasted almond, marmalade, cream soda and candied citrus peel.

Iron Horse Brut Rose, Sonoma 1998
Price $32
Rating 93
Elegant aromas of mineral and toast points, then full flavors of toasted nuts and toasted wheat bread with a nice dose of citrus marmalade. Plenty of concentrated flavors to stand up to many foods. The length is impressive.

J Brut, Russian River Valley 1998
Price $30
Rating 93
There is delicate citrus and floral in the nose, then flavors of citrus marmalade, limestone and delicate roasted nuts through the long, crisp length.

Mumm Cuvée Napa Blanc de Blancs 1998
Price $22
Rating 92
This the only sparkling wine produced in the United Sates with a varietal makeup of two-thirds chardonnay and one-third pinot gris. There are charming citrus notes with subtle floral in the nose. There are flavors of rich lemon marmalade, a touch of nice spice and is rich and almost creamy like lemon curd.

Mumm Cuvée Napa DVX 1997
Price $49
Rating 93
This would be their "Tete du Cuvée" which represents tthe finest sparkler from this respected Napa facility. There are aromas of subtle brioche dough along with classic nutty and toasty aspects, then flavors of toasted whole wheat bread, toasted almonds, yeast hints along with nice fruit like nectarine in the long finish.

Mumm Cuvee Napa Brut Prestige NV
Price $18
Rating 91
The sniff begins with elegant aromas of limestone, citrus and a touch of vanilla. The sip offers a leaner, mineral driven group of flavors with great acidity and delicate fruit elements. The lean crispness makes this a good food pairing wine.

Mumm Cuvée Napa Blanc de Noirs
Price $18
Rating 91
Blanc de Noirs literally means "white of blacks" and is a sparkling wine made primarily from dark skinned grapes. The bubbly derives a charming pink color because of this. The blend of this sparkling wine is 85% pinot noir and a mere 15% chardonnay.

Mumm Napa "Cuvée M" NV
Price $18
Rating 90
This wine demonstrates a new direction at Mumm Napa. The label is a dramatic blue. They are downplaying the word "Cuvée" (a french word for a blend).
There are aromas of tropical fruits like papaya and guava, as well as more classic white fruit and yellow stone fruit. The sip rewards with a resounding entrance of firm fruit and marmalade, yeasty brioche and diverse complexities ranging from lemon peel and pulpiness to exotic spice like ginger. The wonderful crispness sustains this technically sweeter wine resulting in a perfect reception or first course wine pairing.