A visit to Gruet

I spent several days in Albuquerque last week, so what better way to kill an hour than by tasting at Gruet Winery!

Gruet is well known for its Methode Champenoise wines from high-elevation vineyards in Truth or Consequences, NM. Founded in 1984 by brother and sister Laurent and Nathalie Gruet; Gruet was unique in being a French Champagne house that ventured into the US making sparkling wine but outside of California. The high elevation vineyards on sandy loam soils with cold nights and dry air allowed them to grow quality Chardonnay and Pinot Noir for their sparkling program without the use of pesticides. 

Gruet's NV sparkling wines such as its brut and blanc de noirs are widely distributed and known for quality and value. The tasting room in Albuquerque provided an opportunity to try their vintage & tête du cuvée sparkling wines as well as their still wines. Overall the high-end bubblies that I tried were vibrant and bright with nice brioche and wheat depth. Very enjoyable. The still wines were interesting to good. Also interesting was that none of their reds undergo malolactic fermentation. Full notes on my favorite wines tasted are below-

Gruet NV Blanc de Blancs Sauvage, New Mexico- 100% Chardonnay. Notes of candy apple, butterscotch and chalk. Refined and lively on the palate with finishing notes of citrus and lime. Good. ($17.99)

Gruet 2007 Blanc de Blancs, New Mexico- 100% Chardonnay with 36+ months aging on lees. Fine mousse and bead. Notes of brioche and pear. Crisp open citrus fruit on the front palate. Lithe and silky feel with creamy lime finishing notes. Very good. ($24.99)

Gruet 2007 Grand Rosé, New Mexico- 90% Chardonnay, 10% Pinot Noir with 36+ months on lees. Fine mousse and bead. Notes of winter wheat and soft red berry. Bright and lively on the palate with crisp red fruit and citrus with hints of spice. Pure flavors and silky in feel with a full finish. Excellent. ($32.99).

Gruet 2003 Gilbert Gruet Grande Reserve, New Mexico- Made from 90% Chardonnay and 10% Pinot Noir that was completely fermented in oak barrels and aged for a full five years "en tirage" before release. Very fine in appearance. Notes of musky yeast, spice and chalk on the bouquet with bright candy apple flavors added on the palate. Nicely layered depth and clean flavors with just the right amount of aged notes throwing in character. Clean full finish. Very nice. ($42.99)

Gruet 2009 Pinot Noir, New Mexico- Aromas of smoky earth with fig and cherry fruit. Silky rich and forward palate with delicate floral notes and spicy depth on the finish. Good. ($23.99)

Gruet 2007 Barrel Select Pinot Noir, New Mexico- Aged 18 months in new French oak. The bouquet gave earthy and slightly candied red fruit along with sandalwood and eastern spice. Added notes of tea compliment on the palate. Fine and silky structure with a medium finish. Good. ($39.99)

I also tasted the 2010 Chenin Blanc, 2009 Chardonnay and 2010 Rosé.