Two New Mexico wines in one year?  Believe it!  New Mexico continues to emerge as one of the top new producers for sparkling wines in the U.S.  While Gruet may be more prevalent, if you look hard enough you might be able to find Domaine Saint Vincent Brut.  While Gruet is definitely worth a try, is it also worth picking up Domaine Saint Vincent?

Sight:  Medium gold with plenty of small bubbles

Smell:  The nose has a good amount of depth, if a bit of a lack of clarity.  Yeasty and nutty top notes are complimented by plenty of fresh apples,  hints of stone fruit, and other spices.  The stone fruit smells are particularly nice,  and add a lot of character ranging from floral to ripe and juicy.

Sip:  The start is nutty and bright, with a full mouthfeel.  The sweetness is completely abolished here, but the flavors of nuts, unripe stone fruit, and hints of citrus keep things rolling.

Savor:  The nuts come through again at the end, with little hints of fruit.  The finish is moderate in it’s length.

Domaine Saint Vincent Brut is interesting, as it channels more complexity than one might expect from New Mexico.  While there isn’t a strong character of oak or fruit, there’s a sense of place and character driven by the nuts and the warmer fruit smells.    With terroir first, this wine acts more like Champagne than a California Sparkler.  For $15, there’s plenty of value here as long as you keep expectations level.

Verdict: Nuts, Stone Fruit, Terroir, Moderate
Price: $15 ($10 on sale)
Albuquerque, New Mexico