The newest vintage – 2017– of this long-time favorite (my wife and I toasted one another at our wedding with the 2001 vintage) is the best one of the past few.
The nose pops with juicy pear and Golden Delicious apple fruitiness with some lemon zest and subtle leesy qualities. As it sits in the glass, there is a delicate salinity that creeps in at the edges.
Dry and ripe-but-fresh, the palate shows similar fruit qualities with gritty acidity and great focus. The mid-palate shows a little creaminess and a lightly toasty edge before the acidity and beautiful carbonation push through and lead into a brisk, slightly saline finish that lingers beautifully.

Producer: Lieb Cellars
Region: North Fork of Long Island
ABV: 13.2%
Price: $38*
Score: 92 points
* Review sample provided by the winery