The 19 Crimes Snoop Dogg Cali Gold is a Sparkling wine made from a blend of 36% mixed White grapes, 28% French Colombard, 26% Reisling, and 10% Muscat Alexandria. This is not your typical Sparkling wine grape blend. Muscat Alexandria is the oldest known grape varietal, Reisling is commonly used in German Sekt Sparkling wine, and French Colombard is widely planted in France, but seldom seen in California. And I have no clue why 36% of the grapes are only listed as mixed White, they had to know which grapes they used.
19 Crimes refers to the list of offenses that if you were convicted would get you transported from England to the Australian penal colony. 19 Crimes is a very successful wine brand from Treasury Wine Estates who specializes in high-end wines, this is one of their more popular brands.
19 Crimes feature other wines endorsed by Snoop Dogg as well as a Martha Stewart Chardonnay. The 19 Crimes Snoop Dogg Cali Gold is the line’s first Sparkling wine. It has a blacked-out bottle, a label with Snoop’s face, and gold writing.
The current run of the 19 Crimes Snoop Dogg Cali Gold (this is non-vintage Bubbly) is sold-out. You can find it in stores, but when the stores run out they have to wait until the next batch. If you want a few bottles for, say a Halloween party, by sooner rather than later.
The 19 Crimes website does not give out much information concerning the making of this Bubbly. They mention some of the grapes and that the alcohol content is 11%. But the site does have talking or rapping wine labels.
The19 Crimes Snoop Dogg Cali Goldlists for $17, I found it for $14.99, which is a little pricey for a Sparkling wine with so little information. They don’t even mention if this Bubbly was produced in the Traditional Method (Champagne) or the Charmat Method (Prosecco).
I have found that if a Bubbly is made with the Traditional Method that information is mentioned on the bottle several times, and if it is the Charmat Method they skip the mention. Both methods can make quality Bubbly, but the Traditional Method is perceived to be more prestige.
The 19 Crimes Snoop Dogg Cali Gold Tasting Notes
The color is gold, pale see-thru gold, but gold. The nose is clean and crisp, there is lemon, green apple, melon, pear, and lightly floral. The 19 Crimes Snoop Dogg Cali Gold has a unique taste, the flavors are firm and almost bold.
The Bubbly tastes like hard lemon candy (not sweet), pineapple, a salty/nutty sensation, ripe peach, and dried apricot. The mid-palate brings nectarine, tropical fruit, and sour lime. They do not say what the sweetness level is but I would guess Extra Dry or slightly sweet. It does not taste sugary sweet, more like nectar sweet that has been well balanced by acidity. The acidity is the type that will have you reaching for the next sip without thinking.
The Summary
- Again, a Snoop Dogg 19 Crimes wine turns out to be an excellent bang for the buck wine.
- The 19 Crimes Snoop Dogg Cali Gold does not taste like the typical Sparkling wines in this price range.
- This is Bubbly that will be a crowd pleaser at your next party or hit the spot on movie night.
