Berlucchi Franciacorta '61 Rose [WE92][V92][WS91][TP90][WA90][JS90]

Producer: Berlucchi  
Region: Franciacorta, Lombardy, Italy  
Blend: 60% Pinot Nero, 40% Chardonnay 
Year: Non-Vintage 

Retail Price: $50.00 
Our Price: $18.99* 

Franciacorta is the best sparkling wine people know nothing about.  It's Italy's true answer to Champagne.  It is made in exactly the same way as Champagne.  Considered Italy's hidden gem, it boasts pedigree and style, yet remains largely unknown outside of Italy.  That's because Italians keep the majority of the stash for themselves.  Only 15% of production is exported.  Franciacorta is a wine so loved by Italians it's a popular drink consumed during Milan Fashion Week.  Franciacorta is relatively young on the world stage, established as a DOC In 1967 and a DOCG in 1995.  In astonishingly quick fashion, the region established itself as one of the world’s best for traditional-method sparkling wine. What took Champagne centuries to refine, Franciacorta mastered in a few decades.  They produce stunning, terroir-driven sparklers that should be on every wine lover's radar.  These are high-quality, home-grown bubbles of prestige.  They taste of citrus, buttery brioche and bright acidity with a crisp flavor.  They're fun, complex and sophisticated without breaking the bank.  Berlucchi led the way in Franciacorta, producing the region's first sparkling wine in 1961.  The name Berlucchi is now synonymous with Franciacorta and their wines are a staple of Italian celebrations.  The Berlucchi Franciacorta '61 Rose is quite stunning.  It made Wine Spectator's Top 100 list in 2021.  It's refreshing, polished, refined, elegant and savory.  It has notes of strawberry, raspberry, cherry and crusty bread.  This sparkling rose is mouthwatering with a lingering finish.  Enjoy!  

Wine Spectator #93 Top 100 Wines of 2021 

Wine Enthusiast, 92 Points 

"Bright and savory, this refreshing, polished sparkler boasts alluring aromas of juicy raspberry, wild cherry, baking spice and a whiff of bread crust. The inviting aromas follow over to the vibrant palate along with a continuous refined perlage. A tangy candied nectarine note closes the finish." 

Vinous, 92 Points 

"Pale pink with amber hues, the NV Franciacorta '61 Rosè lifts up with a bouquet of wild strawberries, crushed apples, hints of sage and flowery undergrowth. There’s a richness here, coupled with stimulating acids, spicy peach, pears and zesty citrus that keeps you coming back to the glass. There’s simply so much going on here; and it keeps you guessing at each tilt of the glass, closing off with a savory umami sensation and inner florals. This is really quite stunning! The '61 Rosè is a blend of 60% Pinot Noir to 40% Chardonnay that was disgorged in 2019. Drink 2021-2025." 

Wine Spectator, 91 Points 

"Enticing aromas and flavors of ripe strawberry and raspberry fruit are set on the fine, lively bead in this clean-cut, mouthwatering rosé, with a chalky underpinning. Lightly spiced on the lingering finish. Drink now through 2024." 

Tasting Panel, 90 Points 

"Pale pink; crisp, citrus nose; juicy and tangy with lively acidity and snappy style; good depth, balance and finesse." 

Wine Advocate, 90 Points 

"The NV Franciacorta '61 Brut Rosé represents a nicely balanced blend of 60% Pinot Nero and 40% Chardonnay aged in the bottle on the lees for 24 months. This is a delicate but festive wine that shows a steady succession of small berry, lilac and floral aromas. There's a refreshing kick of acidity on the close." 

James Suckling, 90 Points 

"Apricot-colored sparkling with aromas of wild strawberries, cherry stones and strawberries. Juicy and soft with a medium body and creamy bubbles. Lightly off-dry."  

Winemaker Notes: 

"The appearance of the Berlucchi Franciacorta '61 Rose is a soft, foamy mousse with long-lasting cordon around the glass; fine, lingering bead. Intense pink in color, varies slightly according to the vintage, due to the different ripeness levels of phenolic compounds in the Pinot Nero. The nose is comprised of elegant hints of wild berries and ripe fruit, nicely blended with subtle nuances of yeast and crusty bread. Heady, warm quality from the brief Pinot Nero maceration on the skins during vinification. The palate is refined and elegant with exceptional acidity and full body. The acidity is balanced well by the medium-high sugar content." 

Alcohol: 12.5% 

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