2016 North Coast Blanc de Blanc Sparkling Wine
89 points
Wine Spectator
The nose opens with complex aromas of yeasty brioche, hints of orange blossom, and ocean air, toasted almond and toffee. The palate is fresh, crisp, and assertive, with loads of mouthwatering acidic precision. This Extra Brut is bottled with only 4 g/L grams of dosage. This very low level of dosage is only possible with careful blending, and extended aging on the yeast. The mouthfeel is uncompromisingly dry, at once rich and dense while maintaining a focused beam of acidity through the long and layered finish.
This 100% Chardonnay is produced using the traditional méthode champenoise entirely in-house at Patz & Hall from pressing, tirage bottling, aging, riddling and disgorging. Blended from Chardonnay grapes grown at two of the coldest locations in Sonoma County, 48% Clone #76 Chardonnay from Gap’s Crown Vineyard, located on the western flank of Sonoma Mountain overlooking the Petaluma Gap, and 52% Dutton Ranch Clone Dijon #548 grown at Perry Ranch, in Green Valley of Russian River Valley. Both sites are famous for small crops, (less than 3 tons/acre), late ripening, and extraordinary acidity levels, making them perfect for producing this world class sparkling wine.
100% first pressing with no press wine
Bottled en tirage on May 14, 2017
Disgorged date: February 2, 2023
Months en tirage: 69 months (5.8 years)
Dosage: 4 g/L (considered “Extra Brut” - the second driest designation for sparkling wine)
- Type:
- Sparkling
- Varietal:
- Sparkling
- Region:
- California
- Appellation:
- North Coast
- Vintage:
- 2016
- Blend:
- 100% Chardonnay-whole cluster pressed using traditional Champagne methods
- Aging:
- 95% aged in Stainless Steel to retain freshness and purity; 5% aged in 600L neutral barrels
- Fermentation:
- 0% ML to retain acidity and freshness