Schramsberg 2019 Blanc de Blancs North Coast 3L

The Schramsberg 2019 Blanc de Blancs North Coast is a prestigious California sparkling wine made entirely from Chardonnay (100% varietal). Schramsberg pioneered this style in the U.S. with their first Blanc de Blancs in 1965, establishing it as America's original commercially produced Chardonnay-based brut sparkling wine.

Key Details

• Appellation: North Coast (primarily Napa and Sonoma counties, with a touch of Mendocino).
• Vintage notes: The 2019 harvest benefited from ample winter rains and a warm-but-not-extreme summer, yielding grapes with excellent structure, flavor depth, and bright acidity. Harvest ran from late August to late September.
• Winemaking: About 19% barrel-fermented (with some malolactic fermentation for added complexity), blended with stainless-steel fermented lots. It undergoes traditional method second fermentation in the bottle and ages on the lees for roughly 2 years before disgorgement. Alcohol: 12.6%. Residual sugar: ~9 g/L (dry brut style). TA: 0.84 g/100 mL, pH: 3.19.
• Formats: Produced in various sizes, including 750 mL, 1.5 L, 3 L (Jeroboam), and larger (up to 12 L). The 3 L format is ideal for parties, special events, or aging, as larger bottles often develop more slowly and can offer a different evolution.

Tasting Notes

Official notes describe lifted aromas of fresh Granny Smith apple, lemon-lime, fresh baked bread, with hints of baked pineapple and toasted almonds. On the palate, vibrant Meyer lemon and tart apple drive the mid-palate, finishing clean and palate-cleansing. It is dry, crisp, and structured, with fine bubbles and potential to age well for many years (or even decades).