Vigna Dorata Franciacorta Brut NV

91 points Wine Enthusiast: "[$30 list] Enticing scents of yellow stone fruit, bread dough and a whiff of acacia honey take center stage. The aromas carry over to the palate along with mature Golden Delicious apple, candied lemon zest and a hint of toasted hazelnut. Fresh acidity brightens the rich flavors while a silky mousse lends elegance. Alcohol 12.5%. (Jun 2019)"

WHWC Staff Notes: "If you've followed my recommendations in these reviews, you may have noticed that I have quite an affinity for sparkling wines. As I'm the resident Italian specialist, I drink my fair share of Prosecco, but I'm always looking for new and exciting bubbles from all over the Boot. The Franciacorta DOCG in Lombardy is regarded as the best region in all of Italy for producing high-quality sparkling wine. This wine is made of 100% Chardonnay and aged on the lees for 36 months (more than twice as long as typical NV Champagne). Vigna Dorata is a tiny producer that has farmed their six-hectare property for over 20 years. Watching the vineyard from a particular vantage point at certain hours of the day, it looks golden, hence the name of the property, which translates to English as 'Golden Vineyard.' The tiny bubbles lift aromas of crunchy apple and Asian pear from the glass. With most Franciacorta coming in at Champagne prices, I'm going to stock up on this one, especially at this Prosecco-like price!" - Matt Bayless, 10/28/16