Palate
Blanc de Noirs presents layers of roasted almond, caramel, cherry and spice.
Growing Conditions
Pinot Noir from throughout our five-county growing region is incorporated into this vintage Blanc de Noirs, an assemblage of 27 distinct vineyards.
Harvest
The cool 1999 growing season delivered a sparkling harvest that began on August 25th in southern Napa and ended on October 20th in western Marin.
Winemaking
Making a white wine from a red grape requires great care: handpicked fruit, early morning harvest, optimal fruit maturity, delicate pressing. A balance of bright flavors, crisp acidity, and minimal tannins is achieved. Three years of yeast contact knits all the elements together in a mature, toasty style.
The twenty percent of added Chardonnay lends crispness and length to the palate while the fifteen percent barrel-fermentation adds flesh and viscosity.
Food Pairing
The wine is especially appealing with lighter meats such as veal and pork tenderloin, caviar and smoked fish, risotto with chanterelles and vegetables, or cheese soufflés.
