Filipa Pato Sparkling Rosé Extra Brut “3B” 2025

Filipa Pato Sparkling Rosé Extra Brut "3B" 2025 This vibrant sparkling wine is a masterful blend of 80% Baga and 20% Bical, proudly representing the "3B" moniker that honors the two indigenous grape varieties and their home region of Bairrada, Portugal. The 2025 vintage was characterized by a warm growing season tempered by the cooling maritime influence of the nearby Atlantic Ocean, necessitating an early, meticulous hand-harvest to preserve the crucial natural acidity required for premium sparkling wine production. Grown on 30-year-old vines rooted in well-draining sand over clay-limestone soils, the terroir imparts a striking mineral tension and saline backbone to the finished wine. In the glass, the wine displays a brilliant, deep salmon-pink hue with exceptional clarity and a lively, persistent, frothy mousse. The nose is highly expressive and aromatic, leaping from the glass with primary fruit notes of wild raspberries, crushed strawberries, and tart pomegranate, seamlessly layered with secondary aromas of freshly baked rye bread, subtle anise, and tarragon. On the palate, this medium-bodied and bone dry (zero dosage) sparkling rosé delivers a striking textural contrast, balancing the structural tension and red fruit of the Baga grape with the elegant creaminess of the Bical. Vibrant, mouth-watering acidity drives a flavor profile of pink grapefruit, cranberry, and blood orange, culminating in a long, precise finish marked by crushed chalk and a distinct oceanic salinity. Filipa Pato is celebrated for her philosophy of creating "wines without makeup," and this cuvée is a testament to her rigorous biodynamic farming practices and minimal-intervention winemaking. The base wines are fermented with indigenous yeasts in a combination of stainless steel and large wooden vats, remaining unfined and unfiltered. Following the traditional method, the wine undergoes secondary fermentation in the bottle and is aged sur latte (on the lees) for nine months prior to disgorgement, adding delicate yeasty complexity without masking the purity of the fruit. This versatile sparkler is a magnificent companion to American-leaning cuisine, pairing beautifully with crispy Southern-style fried chicken, where the wine's racy acidity and effervescence effortlessly cut through the rich, salty batter. It also shines alongside grilled wild-caught salmon topped with a citrus-herb compound butter, as the wine's red berry notes complement the savory char of the fish. For a vegetarian option, serve it with a creamy wild mushroom risotto; the earthy undertones of the Baga and the brioche notes from the lees aging perfectly echo the deep umami flavors of the dish. Consistently earning impressive critical acclaim, including past scores of 93 points from James Suckling and 92 points from Decanter, this cuvée remains one of the most remarkable values in the world of traditional method sparkling wine, offering Champagne-like complexity at a highly accessible price point.