Blanc de Blancs, North Coast — 2021
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Introduction
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WINERY Family owned and operated for over fifty years, Schramsberg Vineyards was established in 1965 by Jack and Jamie Davies who set out to make world-class, vintage-dated sparkling wine in the true méthode traditionelle style on the property originally established in 1862 by German immigrants.
WINE Blanc de Blancs (white from whites), made from Chardonnay, is the counterpart to the Blanc de Noirs (white from blacks), made from Pinot Noir. Blanc de Blancs was the first wine Schramsberg produced in 1965 and was America’s first commercially produced Chardonnay-based brut sparkling wine. Schramsberg Blanc de Blancs gained international recognition in 1972 when then President Nixon served the wine at the historic “Toast to Peace” in Beijing, China.
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Vineyard Profile
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The character of Schramsberg wines reflects access to the best cool-climate sites in Napa, Sonoma, Marin and Mendocino.
- Appellation: North Coast
- Location: California
- County Composition: 66% Sonoma, 31% Napa, 2% Mendocino, 1% Marin
- Cultivation: Sustainable, Solar
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Vintage Report
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The 2021 growing season started with cold temperatures and minimal rain, that gave way to warm weather through the summer months. Hot days and cold nights allowed for steady ripening throughout the season. The few heat spikes at the end of August encouraged the vines to dig deep in the soils, resulting in highly concentrated fruit with a beautiful balance of generous acidity.
- Harvest Date(s): August 11 - September 29, 2021
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Vinification
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The Schramsberg style of Blanc de Blancs is dry and crisp. Small lots of barrel fermented wines to create added complexity in the blended base wine. After undergoing a second fermentation in bottle, the wine then ages on its yeast lees for about two years prior to disgorgement. With its vibrant, fruitful and focused nature, this sparkling wine will maintain its freshness, structure and refined finish for many years, even decades following its initial release.
- Barrel Fermentation: 18%
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Technical Information
- Varietal Composition: 100% Chardonnay
- Alcohol: 12.3%
- TA: 9.0 g/L
- p H: 3.15
- RS: 9.0 g/L
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Tasting Notes
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“The 2021 Blanc de Blancs has lifted aromas of fresh Granny Smith apple, lemonlime and fresh baked bread, intermingled with hints of baked pineapple and toasted almonds. Its vibrant flavors of Meyer lemon and tart apple bring drive to the mid-palate, leading to a clean, palatecleansing finish.”
—Winemakers Sean Thompson, Jessica Koga and Hugh Davies
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Images
Reviews
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Blanc de Blancs, North Coast — 2021 – Wine Enthusiast – 95 Points
"This wine is bright, with aromas of Golden Delicious apple, orange blossom, acacia honey and mineral on the nose. Flavors are of baked Bosc pear, mandarin orange, fresh walnut, toasted brioche and kaffir lime. The wine offers a subtle, creamy mousse, with a long, lifted and dry finish."
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Blanc de Blancs, North Coast — 2021 – Wine Spectator – 91 Points
"Fragrant and refreshing, this sleek version offers appealing flavors of green apple, Meyer lemon and yeast roll. Finishes bright, with acidity."