2016 Schramsberg Blanc de Blancs Hyde Vineyards
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The 2016 Blanc de Blancs Hyde Vineyard is a star in the Schramsberg portfolio. It is a lovely sparkling that speaks of its origin and has the potential to develop savory complexity in bottle over the next decade. It begins with characteristic flinty aromas that give way to apricots, yellow apples, bread dough and beeswax on the nose. The medium-bodied palate is dry and creamy with ripe, concentrated fruits and complex layers of pastry and savory character from its time on the lees. It has refreshing, integrated acidity and a touch of texture lengthening the finish. This is always one of my favorite cuvées from Schramsberg.
Critic scores
Tamlyn Currin, jancisrobinson.com
Erin Brooks, Wine Advocate
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The nose of the 2016 Blanc de Blancs is bright and fresh, with scents of quince peel, red apples, floral perfume, brioche and a nutty undercurrent. The light-bodied palate is dry with energetic mousse and a nice balance of mineral and tirage character, finishing with fantastic freshness. 36,209 cases produced. The Blanc de Blancs was the first cuvée Schramsberg produced, in 1965.
100% Chardonnay, 70% Napa, 29% Sonoma, 1% Marin. Picked 10 August to 27 September. 25% barrel fermentation. Some lots in the blend have been through malo. TA 9.3 g/l, pH 3.14, RS 10 g/l. Two years on lees. Released 17 January 2019. Bright, super-crunchy apple aromas which slip gracefully into something more buttery and apple-pie-like on the palate, especially when it's a little warmer in temperature. Creamy through the zip-pop of grapefruit zest on the palate and a back note of hazelnuts. Something a little grassy, as well. Has a candied-lemon sweetness (lemon curd?) which is more noticeable on the aftertaste, but which makes a good match with triple-cream cheese (think Brillat-Savarin or Domaine du Vallage). (TC)