Blanc de Noirs, North Coast – 2013
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Introduction
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“Blanc de Noir,” meaning “white from black,” gets its name from the Pinot Noir grapes used to make this complex, medium-body sparkling wine. Schramsberg pioneered the Blanc de Noirs style in the United States, releasing the first such American sparkler in 1967. The key to producing this complex Blanc de Noirs is Schramsberg’s vast and varied focus on diverse cool-climate vineyards. Pinot Noir from Carneros and Anderson Valley combine with fruit from low-yielding Sonoma and Marin coastal vineyards to develop a sparkling wine with a breadth of fruitful aroma and flavor. Select Chardonnay lots give zest and backbone to the blend.
Making a white wine from a red grape requires great care: hand-picked fruit, early morning harvest, optimal fruit maturity and delicate pressing. A balance of bright flavors, crisp acidity and minimal tannins is achieved. Barrel and malolactic fermentation of particular wine lots add richness and body. Yeast contact in the bottle harmonizes all the elements together in a mature, toasty style. The youthful fruit character of the wine will develop and soften with additional age in the bottle. With proper storage, this sparkling wine will be delicious for many years, even a couple of decades to come.
Schramsberg Blanc de Noirs is particularly well-suited to serve with a variety of foods, including soft and nutty cheeses, macadamia nut-crusted halibut, and pork tenderloin with fresh rosemary and lemon thyme.
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Vineyard Profile
- Appellation: North Coast
- County Composition: 26% Sonoma, 39% Mendocino, 23% Napa, 12% Marin
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Vintage Report
- Harvest Date(s): August 13-September 14
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Vinification
- Barrel Fermentation: 35%
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Technical Information
- Varietal Composition: 85% Pinot Noir, 15% Chardonnay
- Alcohol: 12.7%
- TA: 0.89g/100ml
- p H: 3.15
- RS: 1.13g/100ml
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Tasting Notes
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The 2013 Blanc de Noirs expresses generous aromas of pear, peach, apricot, and caramel, which gradually layer with fragrances of fresh baked bread. Lush flavors coat the palate with candied grapefruit, lemongrass, marzipan and a hint of orange zest. This sparkling wine delivers a clean, lingering finish. – Winemakers Sean Thompson and Hugh Davies
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Images
Reviews
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Blanc de Noirs, North Coast – 2013 – 93 points – The Tasting Panel
“Golden amber color; ripe, fresh, and rich flavors; round and deep with balance and a great, long finish from Napa’s best sparkling wine producer.”
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Blanc de Noirs, North Coast – 2013 – 90 points – Wine Advocate
“...the 2013 Blanc de Noirs Napa Valley is scented of wild strawberries, fresh apples and raspberry leaves with a clotted cream, baking bread and toasted almond undercurrent. Light, crisp, refreshing and with bags of finesse, it has a zesty finish.”
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Blanc de Noirs, North Coast – 2013 – 93 points – Editors’ Choice – Wine Enthusiast
“This is a beautifully made, elegant wine that combines classic aromas of toasted bread, ripe apples and almonds with mouthfilling flavors of vanilla, lemon and cream while maintaining great balance from fresh acidity. A lingering finish echoes the spices and toast.”
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Blanc de Noirs, North Coast – 2013 – 91 points – Wine Spectator
“Refined and vibrant, with floral strawberry and yeasty almond aromas and plush, layered lemon curd and vanilla spice flavors.”