WINEMAKER'S NOTES:
This Carneros-designated Blanc de Noirs has a delicate copper color and fruit aromas of strawberry and cherry overlaid with warm cocoa from Pinot Noir. Its softer cousin Pinot Meunier contributes a warm spice, almost clove character with overtones of orange peel and freshly baked bread. To enhance this Cuvee 391, wines from the 1991 vintage were blended with selected 'vin de reserve' held back from previous years. 1991 was characterized by cool conditions during maturation and harvest, critical to flavor development for sparkling wine. Three years of aging lends this wine breadth and body, while retaining its freshness and fruitiness. The balance is stylishly crisp, reflecting the Carneros region's full ripe flavors.
TASTING NOTES:
Made from 93% Pinot Noir and 7% Pinot Meunier, this is a lovely sparkling wine, rounded and layered with moderate acidity. The flavors dance around aspects of wild strawberry, raspberry and melon, with a lasting tease of hazelnut.
- Wine Enthusiast, 90 pts
