2019 Schramsberg Blanc de Blancs, Napa Valley Brut, California (375ml)   

The Schramsberg Blanc de Blancs is always a lovely sparkler and was actually the very first wine the Davies family produced on the Schramsberg estate back in 1965. This 2016 is 100% Chardonnay with a North Coast appellation based on grapes that came from 66% in Napa, 31% in Sonoma and 3% in Marin Counties.

As winemakers, Sean Thompson and Hugh Davies explain, "small lots of malolactic- and barrel-fermented wines are added for complexity. The wine is aged on the yeast lees in the bottle for over 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." And they describe the tasting notes as follows, "it has bright and fresh aromas of green apple, apricot and orange blossom. The fruitful fragrance intermingles with hints of honey, and lemon zest. Freshly sliced peaches, pear and bright pineapple flavors carry vibrant length on the palate."