87 Cupcake NV Blanc de Blancs (Loire Valley) 3/20/10 ($15)
100% Chardonnay 12.5% alc
Color: Light gold with fine bubbles. (3.0) Bouquet: Wet gravel with yellow pear and apple fruit. Balanced and attractive. (2.5) Body: Solid middleweight with excellent fruit and good acidity. Creamy in the mouth. (3.0) Flavor: Parallels bouquet with sweet pear/apple and a little yeast. Not bone dry, but the gravelly minerality injects a crispness on top of the fruit. (2.5) Finish: Tart apple, minerality and a touch of biscuit linger. (2.5)
Overall: Dry, gravelly minerality, typical of a sparkling Loire, and good acidity keep this lively. But it's the exuberant Chardonnay fruit that makes it particularly attractive, being sweet and creamy in the mouth and tart in the finish. Not particularly complex, but very tasty with good body. Quite enjoyable on its own or with food. Very good value. (13.5)
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