Christie goes West: (20+) Champagnes in Bellingham

[Warren_Taranow]

It’s taking me a long time to post my notes from last Sunday. By this point, we were past any set themes, and all of the bottles were opened randomly. I’m classifying them retrospectively in themes as I write the notes. I think the Jura wines were blinded. The Cuilleron was not, at least not by the time I saw it.

Here it is: Jura and Northern Rhône sparklers.

NV Domaine Overnoy-Crinquand Crémant du Jura Brut Rosé - France, Jura, Crémant du Jura (6/29/2025)
Fun to drink a sparkling Poulsard. Rustic, with strawberries and sweet brown spice. A nice change of pace, but just a sip was enough for me at the tasting.

NV Tissot (Bénédicte et Stéphane / André et Mireille) Crémant du Jura Rosé - France, Jura, Crémant du Jura (6/29/2025)
Like the Overnoy-Crinquand, this was a nice change of pace at the tasting. More strawberry, cranberry, and mineral notes. Nothing wrong here at all. Once again, given the scale of wines on the table, I took a sip, nodded, and moved on. They'd be much more fun on their own or with pizza, charcuterie, or even popcorn.

2022 Domaine Yves Cuilleron Viognier Méthode Traditionnelle Brut Nature - France (6/29/2025)
This magically showed up on the table at the tasting, already opened when I first saw it. I have no idea who brought it. Travis pointed it out, as he knows Cuilleron personally, and like me, he had never had a sparkling Viognier or even realized Cuilleron made one. I am sure I would not have guessed Northern Rhône or Viognier blind, but in retrospect, it made sense. White pit fruit such as peach and apricot, along with lemon and maybe a hint of tangerine. I really liked it.

Next up: Sparkling Italian and German trio

[Warren_Taranow]

I’m still catching up posting notes from last Sunday.
Today’s retrospective theme: Italy and Germany.

NV Fattoria di Fèlsina Berardenga Vino Spumante Di Qualità Rosè - Italy, Tuscany, Vino da Tavola (6/29/2025)
I love this winery but had never tried this sparkling Sangiovese blend. Very nice, albeit a bit out of place among the bigger guns. Still bright, with strawberries, red berries, a little spice. Light and fresh.

NV G.D. Vajra N.S. della Neve - Italy, Piedmont, Vino da Tavola (6/29/2025)
I liked this sparkling rosé Nebbiolo blend. It had good cut, dark berries, and herbs, though it was perhaps slightly clunky.

2017 Weingut Aldinger Brut Nature - Germany, Württemberg (6/29/2025)
@Jenise_S bottle. This could have slipped into the high end champagne portion of the tasting. A convincing ringer. Equal parts red berries and citrus on the nose and palate. Very mineraled, with a nice subtle yeasty influence suggesting a bit of time on the lees. Impressive.

[Phil_T_r_o_t_t_e_r]

@Warren_Taranow

NV G.D. Vajra N.S. della Neve

I’ve always enjoyed this wine. Great buddy to charcuterie platter.

[Warren_Taranow]

Still getting my notes organized a week after the tasting. As a Francophile and Champagnophile, I didn’t expect to love the American sparklers as much as I did. Exceptional wines that stood proudly alongside the classics.

NV Kobayashi Winery Pinot Noir Blanc des Noirs Celilo Vineyard - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley (6/29/2025)
Not yet released. Travis brought an unlabeled bottle.

What a fantastic new wine. It showed beautiful balance, with perfect cut and a fine bead. Surprising lemon cream notes for a Blanc de Noirs, followed by lush raspberries, violets, and darker berry flavors that emerged with air. Fantastic wine. I’m really excited to revisit this and to explore more sparkling wines from Travis and Mario in the future.

100% PN from, planted in 1973. Dry farmed, own rooted. Traditional method. 10 months in barrel, then 22 on the lees. Disgorged with no dosage. He uses flor yeast given to him by Selosse. 750 bottles will be released, one allocated to case purchasers on the list. Some held back for later disgorgement(s). All 2022 for this cuvée, but future releases will be NV, and include Chardonnay.

NV Goodfellow Family Cellars Chardonnay Blanc de Blancs Durant Vineyard - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills (6/29/2025)
My first sparkling Goodfellow after reading so much praise. This delivered, even following a lineup of outstanding Champagnes. It was lusher than the French counterparts but perfectly balanced. A fine, persistent bead—a must for me in a good sparkling wine. Pear, apple, citrus. Maybe still a little tight. I don’t need any more wine, but I might have to pick some up the next time I see it offered.

2013 Wenzlau Vineyard Cuvée L'Inconnu Estate Blanc late disgorged - USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills (6/29/2025)
My third bottle of this, showing the same character as before. The bead was stronger than any of the other wines today. Rich and dense, with layered apple, citrus, and chalky minerality. A distinct yeasty quality, not quite brioche or bread.

2013 Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay from their organically farmed Wente Block. Made in the méthode Champenoise, with about a decade on the lees. Disgorged and topped with the same vintage Blanc de Blancs, no dosage.

These need more time.

And that concludes the sparkling portion of our show. One more post remaining of still wines, off theme.

[KhaN]

Goodfellow and Wenzlau needs at least 3 years to see any noticable development. That said, I’ve been reaching for those every week this summer because they are that delicious and wonderful QPR.

[Jenise_S]

I really liked this too. Not a Viognier fan but this had all the best things that grape can have with none of the downside. Btw, this was Tim’s wine.

[Warren_Taranow]

Do you remember who brought the Goodfellow sparkler and the Sean Thackrey Orion? Those were really good.

[Jenise_S]

Yes, the Goodfellow was Marc D’s and the Orion was Ted Seifert’s.