The Non-Vintage Brut Tache is a delightful, well-priced sparkling wine composed of 52% Chardonnay, 41% Pinot Noir, and 7% Pinot Meunier. A dash of red wine liqueur is added to the finished triage wine at disgorgement to create the salmon pink color. The nose offers rose petal, peach, apricot, and wheat thin scents leading to a sparkler with a steady, persistent stream of small bubbles and red berry and nutty flavors. On the palate the wine is dry and refreshing, with a long, clean finish. Importer: Clos du Val Wine Co., Napa, CA; www.taltarni.com. Also tasted: 2005 Three Monks Cabernet Merlot, Victoria (83), 2005 Heathcote Shiraz (80)

Light pink in color, with aromas of dust, earth and cherry. It’s medium-full in the mouth, cherry notes once again at the fore, but bolstered by earth, toast and a racy, grape-fruit edge through the finish. Very enjoyable; 1,600 cases produced. Imported by Clos Du Val Wine. ——D.T.(12/31/2005)—— 89

With a pretty onion skin color and delicate tones of bread dough, green apple, melon and bergamot, this is a wine to serve to a sophisticated audience on an elegant occasion. The fine mousse and persistent, dry finish are the perfect foil for tea sandwiches. Will gain complexity with three to four years aging.——W.E.(12/31/2009)—— 87