Schramsberg Vineyards
1.5 Liter Bottle (Magnum) of Schramsberg 2004 Blanc de Blancs
(2 available)
From Schramsberg:
Blanc de Blancs (white from white) made from Chardonnay is the counterpart to the Blanc de Noirs (white from black), 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.
The Schramsberg style of Blanc de Blancs is dry and crisp. Small lots of malolactic- and barrel-fermented wines are added for complexity. The wine is aged on the yeast lees in the bottle for some two years prior to disgorgement. With its vibrant, fruitful and crisp nature, this sparkling wine will maintain its freshness, structure and refined finish for many years, even decades following its initial release. While this wine can be enjoyed by itself as an apéritif, it is also perfect with fresh oysters and other shellfish, crab cakes, ceviche and grilled sea bass. It is also delicious with lemon chicken and Thai curries. Serve with aged Gouda or other hard cheeses and as a counterpoint to soft triple creams.
TASTING NOTES
“The relatively warm 2004 season delivered a generously flavored Blanc de Blancs with alluring aromas of green apple, citrus and tropical fruits. Rich, tart, Bayview Avenue Carneros Chardonnay form the core, with components ranging from the Marin Coast to the Anderson Valley contributing further depth of fruit. Yeast-derived notes of fresh sourdough and toasted almond blend with hints of crème brûlée. On the palate, this lively sparkler is ripe and crisp with tangy lemon zest early on, progressing to a clean, balanced finish.”
– Winemakers Hugh Davies and Craig Roemer
***Important Shipping Notice***
In compliance with current state laws, Schramsberg is able to send wine to those states listed below:
AK, CA, CO DC, FL, HI, IA, ID, IL MN, MO, NC, ND, NH, NM, NV, OH, OR, SC, TX, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
PLEASE DO NOT BID ON THIS ITEM IF YOUR STATE IS NOT LISTED ABOVE.
MUST BE 21 OR OLDER TO BID ON THIS LOT.
RETAIL VALUE: $69
STARTING BID: $25
About Schramsberg Vineyards...
http://www.schramsberg.com/
As the first sparkling wine to gain distinction in California and to rival the prestige and quality of French Champagne, Schramsberg needs no introduction. It is a world-class winery and recognized leader in the California wine industry. For the past 40 years the Davies family has produced America's finest sparkling wines with great individuality, elegant style and grace.
Family-Owned
In 1965, Jack and Jamie Davies established Schramsberg as a sparkling wine estate on the property originally founded in 1862 by German immigrant Jacob Schram. At a time when there were only 20 wineries in Napa Valley and fewer than 50 acres of California vineyard planted to Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, they set out to make world-class sparkling wine in the true Méthode Champenoise style. Schramsberg was the first California winery to produce a Blanc de Blancs, followed by Blanc de Noirs in 1968. Today, their son Hugh Davies, who was born the same year the Davies arrived at Schramsberg, leads the winery’s management and winemaking team.
The Wines
Schramsberg uses the Méthode Champenoise technique to create its seven styles of sparkling wine: vintage-dated Blanc de Blancs, Blanc de Noirs, Brut Rosé and Crémant, the multi-vintage Mirabelle Brut and Mirabelle Rosé and the prestige, vintage-dated Reserve, J. Schram and J. Schram Rosé.
Focus on Quality
Producing just 45,000 cases annually, Schramsberg Vineyards is focused on the finest and most complex handcrafted sparkling wines in California. Schramsberg’s premium wines are produced in very limited quantities: an average of 1,500 cases of J. Schram and 1,000 cases of Schramsberg Reserve are made each year.
Handcrafted
Most of Schramsberg’s viticultural and winemaking practices are carried out by hand: grapes are hand-harvested, the wines are handcrafted, the bottles are stacked to age, then riddled by hand in underground caves. The J. Schram, Schramsberg’s top offering, is even hand-labeled.
Special thanks to Beth with Schramsberg for this generous donation.
