2019 Schramsberg Blanc de Blancs Salmanazar (1 x 9L)

Blanc de Blancs (white from whites), made from Chardonnay, is the counterpart to the Blanc de Noirs (white from blacks), made from Pinot Noir. Blanc de Blancs was the first wine Schramsberg produced in 1965 and was Americas 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 barrel fermented wines, some of which complete malolactic fermentation, are added to the stainless-steel fermented wines to create added complexity in the blended base wine. After undergoing a second fermentation in bottle, the wine then ages on its yeast lees for about two years prior to disgorgement. With its vibrant, fruitful and focused 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.

For 2019, winter brought an abundant amount of rainfall which helped restore the water reservoirs that had suffered from years of drought. With additional late rains in May, the vines had ample water for the growing season. The transition from veraison to full ripeness was very consistent due to the warm, but not hot, temperatures that were maintained during the summer. Harvest started slightly later than average, and in the end brought a bountiful crop with exceptional fruit structure, depth of flavor, and bright acidity.

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Tasting notes

The 2019 Blanc de Blancs has lifted aromas of fresh Granny Smith apple, lemon-lime and fresh baked bread, intermingled with hints of baked pineapple and toasted almonds. Its vibrant flavors of Meyer lemon and tart apple bring drive to the mid-palate, leading to a clean, palate-cleansing finish.- Winemakers Jessica Koga, Sean Thompson and Hugh Davies

Reviews

93 Points
Fresh, bright aromas of green apple, lemon juice, lime zest and lime leaf complemented by a light toasty-bread scent waft out of the glass almost immediately. Beautiful acidity keeps the lively fruits front and center, whilst those yeast tones add a layer of complexity to the flavor profile as well as a lovely weight and body to the mouthfeel.- Wine Enthusiast, December 2022
93 Points
Here is a wine that finds an extra bit of richness and hints of aged nuttiness for extra complexity in its aromas and follows them up on the palate with a full, foamy, insistent and creamy mousse and stony, crisp, lively flavors. On the one hand, it comes with layers belying its youth, while, on the other, it is bright, full of life and inviting on that score alone. It hits all of the right marks smartly and is highly recommended to those, who like us, like to keep a few bottles of very good Blanc de Blancs that is not extravagantly priced on hand in the cellar at all times- Connoisseur's Guide to California Wine, November 2022
92 Points
Crisp yet luxurious and creamy, with vibrant lemon tart, apple and toasted almond flavors that glide on a long, plush finish.- Wine Spectator, December 2022

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