CA’ DEL BOSCO Cuvee Prestige, Franciacorta

COMMENTARY: Over the decades, the wine cognoscenti have recognized Ca’ del Bosco as one of the world’s top sparkling wine producers. The winery’s Cuvée Prestige is an outstanding effort. TASTING NOTES: This wine is complex, attractive, and fresh. Enjoy its creamy, ripe fruit aroma with grilled chicken thighs over a bed of al dente noodles. (Tasted: November 13, 2019, San Francisco, CA)

Aromas of stone fruit and spring flowers with a lightly savory, pastry-like complexity. The palate has a smooth, elegant feel and the finish is dry, light, bright and crisp. A neat wine, well-delivered. Drink now.

Packaged in a transparent bottle and an easily recognized yellow-gold label, the NV Franciacorta Cuvée Prestige Brut is a blend of 75% Chardonnay, 10% Pinot Bianco and 15% Pinot Nero. This is among Ca’ del Bosco’s most affordable and accessible sparkling wines. It offers steady consistency year after year. I’ve always loved the bouquet of this wine. It shows a slightly spicy side that reminds me of Christmas oranges nailed with cloves. In the mouth, the wine is lean and crisp with fine and persistent perlage.