Nose
Aromas of green apple, citrus and tropical fruits. Rich, tart Bayview Avenue Carneros Chardonnay forms the core, with components ranging from the Marin Coast to the Anderson Valley contributing further depth of fruit. Yeast-derived notes of fresh sourdough and toasted almond blend with hints of crème brûlée.
Palate
On the palate, this lively sparkler is ripe and crisp with tangy lemon zest early on, progressing to a clean, balanced finish.
Growing Conditions
The relatively warm 2004 season delivered a generously flavored Blanc de Blancs.
County Composition: 51% Napa, 27% Mendocino, 18% Sonoma, 4% Marin
Bottling
Bottled: June 7–17, 2005
Winemaking
Small lots of malolactic- and barrel-fermented wines are added for complexity.
Aging
The wine is aged on the yeast lees in the bottle for two years prior to disgorgement.
Barrel Fermentation: 22%
Food Pairing
While this wine can be enjoyed by itself as an apéritif, it is also perfect with fresh oysters and other shellfish, crab cakes, ceviche and grilled sea bass. It is also delicious with lemon chicken and Thai curries. Serve with aged Gouda or other hard cheeses and as a counterpoint to soft triple creams.