Saturday, April 21, 2012

WINE: ARRAS Brut Elite Cuvee 401 NV


A few years ago, you'd be pretty hard pressed to find much Aussie sparkling wine over the $40 mark. Like Aussie brandy, there seems to be a perception that you can't try and compete with the French offerings at a certain price point.

But a lot has changed since then and, at around $65 retail, this offering from the House of Arras is now competing on price with the likes of Moet, Tattinger, Veuve and various Heidsiecks. And this isn't even Arras' most expensive wine.

It has taken years of quality releases to make this sound more acceptable than fascicle.


An odd playoff between floral and mineral. It results in an extremely round, full palate.

Beginning with almond, marzipan, rose, lemon tart. Giving way to sharp lemon and citrus notes. Finishing with salty-sweet minerality.

Despite the minerality on the finish, a full and rich wine. Very nice and a worthy competitor at the price point.

88%

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