Nose
Our 1999 Reserve combines fresh cranberry and zesty citrus in a bright aroma profile. Hints of roasted nuts and baked pastry dough, derived from bottle aging and barrel fermentation, compliment the fruitful core. Anderson Valley Corby Vineyard Pinot Noir plays the starring role.
Palate
Chardonnay lifts the zesty aromas and adds length and brightness to the palate. From its juicy nectarine and red delicious apple entry on the palate to its sweet and sour, tangy finish, this flavorful sparkling wine is smooth and complete.
Growing Conditions
The Reserve is a Blanc de Noirs, a white wine gently crafted from red grapes. Hand-picking, early harvesting and light pressing are critical. Small amounts of select Chardonnay are included in the blend to lend some additional backbone and length to the palate. Extensive tasting is conducted over the winter months, with more than 140 base wines representing 80 vineyards in five counties being taken into consideration.
County Composition: 55% Mendocino, 35% Napa, 7% Monterey, 2% Sonoma, 1% Marin
Winemaking
The Reserve is a Blanc de Noirs, a white wine gently crafted from red grapes. Hand picking, early harvesting, and light pressing are critical. Small amounts of select Chardonnay are included in the blend to lend some additional backbone and length to the palate. Extensive tasting is conducted over the winter months, with over 140 base wines representing 80 vineyards in five counties being taken into consideration.
Fermentation: 58% stainless steel, 42% neutral French oak barrels
Vineyards: Corby, Husch, Rose, Vidmar (Anderson), Lund (Napa)
Aging
For the Reserve blend, 40% of the base wines are barrel fermented and aged on the lees for six months. Following fermentation, each bottle is aged in contact with its own yeast in Schramsberg’s mountainside caves for a minimum of five years. The finishing dosage is the result of a comprehensive review of base wine options, many of which are barrel-aged for five-plus years.
