Benjamin Bridge Méthode Classique Brut Reserve 2008 Wine Review

Benjamin Bridge Méthode Classique Brut Reserve 2008

Gaspereau Valley, Nova Scotia, Canada

Community Score:92/100

Community Reviews: 9

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Price: $40.00

Drink: Now

Bottle size: 750 ml

Alcohol: 11.5%

Sweetness: Extra Dry

Wine Type: Sparkling Wine

Winery: Benjamin Bridge

Agent: Benjamin Bridge Vineyards

Natalie's Score: 95/100

I dare you to take the blind bubbly test with this wine and a top cuvee from Champagne. You'll be hard-pressed to tell the difference in quality; only the Nova Scotia zest and signature might give away Benjamin Bridge. Truly this wine is a remarkable achievement from one of Canada's best producers of the genre, in a terrific vintage. Winemaker Jean-Benoit Deslauriers crafts this sparkling wine using the traditional method of the second fermentation in the bottle, just as they do in the Champagne region of France. They also use the same grapes in their blend: Pinot Noir (39%) and Chardonnay (61%). The grapes for this Nova Scotia cuvee are all estate grown and hand-harvested in October 2008 at 18.2 brix and bottled in June 2009 after spending 5 years on the lees to add richness, creaminess and depth. The 2008 vintage had the ideal conditions of sustained cool weather moderated by the Bay of Fundy which allowed for slow and complex ripening of the grapes, which are cropped at severely low levels to create great depth and complexity in flavour and phenolic ripeness. Seductive aromas of complex notions of toasted bread (bannock) cooling in on a NS seaside kitchen window with fresh apples rolling across the palate from a nearby sun-dappled Annapolis Valley orchard. There's a crisp snap and tang on the finish, like dipping your sun-warmed senses into the Atlantic Ocean. Close your eyes an enjoy this with a lazy afternoon.

Scrumptious Seafood Wine

This Benjamin Bridge Méthode Classique Brut Reserve 2008 was reviewed on February 1, 2015 by Natalie MacLean

More Vintages: 2004 2012 2005 2011

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Pricing & Stock Information

LCBO
275396
$40.00
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BCLDB
65995
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SAQ
12647590
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Reviews and Ratings

Kristin Perrin rated this wine as 95/100 with the following review:

Toasty apples, pears, lemon on the nose
Burst of lemons, minerality, more crisp apples bready notes on the palate
Light bodied, snappy acidity with a lengthy doughy finish.

This would be perfect with woodfired oven vegetarian pizza topped with chèvre.

Terry Jeans - Certified S rated this wine as 94/100 with the following review:

Wow! Biscuity, lemon, rich mouth-feel, with persistent small bubbles, that is quite amazing for a sparkling from NS. A premium sparkling that would be best with some food to counteract the body.

Matt Steeves - Certified Sommelier rated this wine as 94/100 with the following review:

Year after year Benjamin Bridge captures the attention of Champagne lovers around the world with their high quality traditional method sparkling wines. This winery is showing the world its potential for producing ultra premium sparkling wine, reliably, every year. With the serious concerns that climate change places on premium wine production in regions such as Champagne, France, the truly cool-climate Gaspreau Valley is demonstrating that they've got what it takes to excel in high quality sparkling wine production now and in the future thanks to their ideal terroir, moderate climate, and world-class know-how.

The 2008 Brut Reserve benefitted from a long and cool growing season that enabled the fruit to ripen slowly while retaining the refreshing characteristics that one expects in ultra premium sparkling wines. 100% estate fruit, it was hand picked in October 2008, and after 5 years on its lees, to add complexity and character, this superbly structured wine is built to be cellared for upwards of 20 years or can be enjoyed today with umami-rich dishes.

The nose displays delicate stone fruit, white pepper, with an intriguing summer sea breeze. The most complex micro bubbles I've experienced in a long time, that coat the mouth and then refresh the palate for what seems like forever...still going...and going! The mouthfeel is absolutely stunning. There's balance and then there's harmony - and the 2008 Brut Reserve has achieved harmony in every possible way. It's refreshing without being overly tart, and at 10.5g/L of TA, that's just another reminder that this is a serious wine, meant for seriously rich and delicious food - rich and creamy seafood chowder immediately come to mind.

After tasting the 2008 Benjamin Bridge Brut Reserve, I believe I've found the best sparkling wine ever produced in Canada. I look forward to watching this wine evolve and tasting it again in 5, 10, 15, and 20 years.

Tasted January 2015. 94+ points. Matt Steeves - www.quercusvino.ca | @QuercusVino

Courtney Flood rated this wine as 93/100 with the following review:

Very fresh, intense acidity. Lemon, like, granny smith apple, and minerailty with cleansing bubbles and some minerailty. Great pairing for a buttery Brie.

Craig Kuziemsky rated this wine as 92/100 with the following review:

Aromas of apple and fresh baked biscuits. The palate offers a wondeful mix of lemon, apples, and crisp minerality.

Valérie Dufour - Accredited Sommelier rated this wine as 92/100 with the following review:

Another home run! It is a really high quality. Full body. Made for food or just for fun.

Sean O'Regan - Certified Sommelier rated this wine as 92/100 with the following review:

This is a premium traditional method sparkling wine from Nova Scotia. Pale gold with fine tiny bubbles the nose is clean with apple, pear, lemon citrus, brioche and some mineral. Fine frothy foam, creamy and fresh on the palate with green apple, lemon and a long citrus finish with toasty notes - excellent stuff. Perfect wine for celebrations and palate cleansing for oily pastry based appetizers. Feb 1, 2015.

Olivier de Maisonneuve rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

Interesting nose waltzing between quiche and apple pie. Nice mouthfeel, still showing a hint of minerality, like a sea water spray. A bit less acidic, in the first seconds, more of a bitter snap, which would make it lovely as a have-it-with-the-main course sparkling wine.Very happy to have discovered it!

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Benjamin Bridge Méthode Classique Brut Reserve 2008 Wine Review

Natalie's Score: 95/100

Pricing & Stock Information