Wenzlau Vineyard 'Cuvee l'Inconnu' 2013 Estate Sparkling Blanc de Blanc (750ml)

93+ points Vinous 

The 2013 Blanc de Blancs is a wine of real personality and class, not to mention one of the very Santa Barbara sparkling wines that is truly distinctive. Brisk and saline, the Wenzlau also has the mid-palate depth that so many other sparkling wines lack. There are so many layers that unfold in the glass; deep varietal character and the natural power of this site as expressed through fruit that was picked early for sparkling wine. I find the 2013 fascinating on so many levels, the most important being how it really opens a window as to what might be possible with sparkling wine in Santa Barbara. It is now up to the new team headed by Etienne De Montille, Brian, Rodolphe Peters and Justin Willett to find out. The 2013 needs more time on the cork, but it is truly a special wine. - By Antonio Galloni, June 2019

92 points Robert Parker

The soon-to-be-disgorged 2013 Blanc de Blanc L'Inconnu offers up a delicate nose of brioche, citrus oil and baked apple. On the palate, the wine is very dry, revealing good length, cut and purity, with excellent mid-palate depth and an elegantly fine mousse. This is a step up over the debut 2012 release of this sparkling wine, which is done entirely in house—and which benefits from informal advice from one of the Aube's Champagne superstars.