Reserve, North Coast – 2007
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Introduction
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Schramsberg Reserve is the winery’s top Pinot Noir-focused brut sparkling wine. Representing about 3 percent of Schramsberg’s annual production, this richly flavored and full-bodied sparkler is made from only the finest base-wine lots produced each year. More than seven years old upon release, this fruitful, yet dry, toasty and creamy bubbly will age gracefully for another 20 to 30 years.
Though primarily Pinot Noir, small amounts of select Chardonnay lots are added to the blend to lend additional backbone and length to the palate. Distinct barrel- and malolactic-fermented lots are also layered in to provide viscosity and depth. Each bottle is aged in contact with the yeast in Schramsberg’s historic Diamond Mountain hillside caves for more than seven years, affording the development of seasoned, roasted and caramelized richness. The yeast is then removed and a finishing dosage, determined through extensive and comprehensive trials, is added to fine-tune the wine’s balance of flavor.
Schramsberg Reserve is well-suited with a main course, such as fruit-stuffed veal, pork tenderloin, roasted duck with mango, cedar-plank grilled salmon, and curried chicken salad. This flavorful bubbly also can be served as an apéritif with smoked oysters, caviar and hard cheeses such as aged Swiss Sbrinz, Sonoma Vella Jack or Irish Coolea.
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Vineyard Profile
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Principal Pinot Noir Blocks:
Sonoma County: Saltonstall
Marin County: Stevens
Mendocino County: Juster - Appellation: North Coast
- County Composition: 41% Mendocino, 32% Sonoma, 21% Napa, 6% Marin
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Vintage Report
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The warmer-than-normal winter, along with relatively dry weather, allowed for an earlier budbreak with flowering beginning in the early part of May. Mild temperatures continued through July, paving the way for harvest towards the beginning of August. The vintage is remembered as a drawn-out one due to cool temperatures in August and September, with only a brief heat spike around Labor Day. With no rush to harvest, the grapes were picked at their optimal ripeness for sparkling wine, with delicious flavors, low sugars and high acidities.
- Harvest Date(s): August 15-October 15
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Vinification
- Barrel Fermentation: 40%
- Aging: 7 years
- Bottled: April 22, 2008
- Disgorged: April 2-July 10, 2015
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Technical Information
- Varietal Composition: 76% Pinot Noir, 24% Chardonnay
- Production (in cases): 2,540 cases
- Production Case Pack: 9L
- Alcohol: 13.2%
- TA: 0.88g/100ml
- p H: 3.06
- RS: 1.02g/100ml
Images
Reviews
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Reserve, North Coast – 2007 – 96 points, Cellar Selection – Wine Enthusiast
… “spice-tinged fruit aromas and toasted baguette complexity make a grand entrance on the nose. It then gushes bold and complex flavors, like toasted walnuts and almonds, poached pears and a touch of ginger.”
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Reserve, North Coast – 2007 – 94 points – The Wine Advocate
"... This is crisp, elegant, shows structure, creamy honeyed richness, beautiful opulence, medium to full body and stunning brioche, honeysuckle and apple marmalade-like notes."
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Reserve, North Coast – 2007 – 92 points – Wine Spectator
"Polished, plush and full-bodied, with hints of rich maturity. Aromas of yeasty cinnamon brioche, cherry and apple open to layered flavors of hazelnut, crème brûlée and spice."
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Reserve, North Coast – 2007
Aromas of cherry, strawberry and orange are complemented by hints of clove, honey and walnut. Peach, orange and red currant flavors are followed by sweet brioche. The palate is crisp with a slight mineral texture and long, mouthwatering acidity.