The Ferrer family is best known for their other winery, the Spanish bubbly producer Freixenet. However, this Sonoma County winery, named after the family’s matriarch, almost always exceeds the quality of its older sibling.
The Royal Cuvee is one of the best examples of the Ferrer style. First produced for the King and Queen of Spain when they visited California in 1987, this vintage bottle is a benchmark for American bubbly.
On the nose, it is a fresh strawberry tart, or perhaps toasted brioche with marmalade. Either way, this is a complex and layered wine with notes of vanilla and cardamom. The finish is crisp with just a touch of biscuits and cream.
Produced in the traditional Champagne method, the Royal Cuvee is aged on the lees for five years and a blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.