Winemaker Notes
The 2019 vintage was on the cooler side as it started slow with later-than-usual bud break and continued on to be fairly moderate throughout the year. Some vineyards had issues with an October freeze a bit earlier than usual, but our high-elevation vineyards have great air drainage which allows them to extend the growing season late into October without freeze. This yielded fantastic ripening and some awesome wines with incredible balance and character. Overall, we are excited about the wine produced in 2019, which has brought them more finesse, incredible flavors and lovely balance.
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
The 2019 Popup is 100% Chardonnay and comes from the Evergreen Vineyard in the Ancient Lakes region in Washington State. Released with around 8 grams of dosage, it has a clean, pretty nose of tart lemons, green apple, and mint, with a good kiss of sulfur that takes some time to blow off. Hitting the palate with medium-bodied richness, it's nicely balanced and has integrated acidity, plenty of fruit, and a great finish. Just make sure you give bottles plenty of air if drinking any time soon. It's a terrific value in juicy, delicious sparkling wines.
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James Suckling
Lots of sliced apple and pear aromas and flavors. Medium-to full-bodied with a round and light frothy finish. Crisp and refreshing. Crown cap. Drink now.
Representing the topmost expression of a Champagne house, a vintage Champagne is one made from the produce of a single, superior harvest year. Vintage Champagnes account for a mere 5% of total Champagne production and are produced about three times in a decade. Champagne is typically made as a blend of multiple years in order to preserve the house style; these will have non-vintage, or simply, NV on the label. The term, "vintage," as it applies to all wine, simply means a single harvest year.
