2008 Blanc de Blancs Late Disgorged (1 x 750 ml)
Blanc de Blancs (white from white), made from the Chardonnay grape, is the counterpart to the Blanc de Noirs (white from black), which is made from Pinot Noir. The Schramsberg style of Blanc de Blancs is dry and crisp. Small lots of malolactic and barrel fermented wines are added for complexity. In 1965, Blanc de Blanc became the first wine ever produced by Schramsberg, and was Americas first commercially produced Chardonnay-based brut sparkling wine. Our Blanc de Blancs gained international recognition in 1972 when President Nixon served the wine at the historic Toast to Peace in Beijing, China.
In 2012, when we originally released this bottling, we held back a small number of these bottles for extended aging in our historic Diamond Mountain Caves. After ten years of contact with the yeast, this sparkling wine has gracefully developed exquisite richness, depth and complexity. It displays savory, nutty and seasoned attributes, along with a caramelized and dense fruitfulness and creaminess associated with the ultra-fine bubbles.
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Tasting notes
The 2008 Blanc de Blancs LD reveals aromas of baked apple and pear, marzipan and lemon curd. This complex fruitful nature is complemented by hints of apricot jam, toffee, brioche and brown sugar. A round entry on the palate exhibits a lush texture that fills the mouth with vibrant acidity, and features flavors of baked pineapple, balanced by candied orange, lemon shortbread and honey.- Winemakers Sean Thompson and Hugh Davies
Reviews
95 Points - Editors' ChoiceRich flavors of apples, toasted baguette and mint leaves and a rather full body make this well-aged sparkling Chardonnay engaging and delicious. It renders a mouthfilling consistency, fine bead and lingering, complex fruit and baking-spice character.- Wine Enthusiast (Advanced Buying Guide August 2020)
93 Points
The 2008 Blanc de Blancs Late Disgorged was disgorged in September 2019, so it has been on tirage for about a decade. It takes time to unfurl, slowly offering up nuances of iodine, meringue, floral perfume and oyster shell over a core of quince and apple pastry - an interesting blend of maturity and uplift. The medium-bodied palate is dry and mega fresh, with a ripe fruit profile, broad texture, creamy mousse and juicy freshness on the long finish. This is in a lovely spot for drinking right now.- Wine Advocate (August 2020)
90 Points
Surprisingly bright and unexpectedly lively for a twelve-year-old Blanc de Blancs, this one exhibits the kind of brioche-like richness and complexity anticipated from its extended rest on the yeast, yet its crisply finished flavors of lemons and minerals still speak very clearly of Chardonnay and its very creamy, pin-pointy bubbles are nowhere near to being on the fade. Though we are impressed with the vigor that it has for a wine of its age, we do not see it improving appreciably further and strongly recommend that, rather than being hidden away in the cellar, it be enjoyed while still at the top of its game.- Connoisseurs' Guide (December r2020)
