Nose

This wine exhibits aromas of pineapple with melon and apple cider along with citrus notes of orange peel and lemon custard. Rich creamy notes of crème brûlée, fresh baked baguette and toasted nuts are derived from barrel fermentation and nearly six years of yeast aging.

Palate

This voluptuous sparkling wine showcases the bright citrus and tangy, tropical fruit of the Tognetti and Schwarze Chardonnay vineyards along Bayview Avenue in southern Napa-Carneros. The addition of 20 percent Pinot Noir lends subtle red fruit aromas and gives breadth to both the nose and palate. A creamy yet refreshing wine, the 2000 J. Schram has a long, quenching, seamless finish.

Growing Conditions

In 2000, mild spring weather paved the way for a long growing season. Cool and foggy weather in June and July set the course for harvest to begin mid-August, allowing some of the cool vineyard sources to mature into late September. This weather dynamic produced intensely aromatic Chardonnay with rich viscosity and a long, acidic backbone.

County Composition: 60% Napa, 20% Mendocino, 12% Sonoma, 8% Marin

Bottling

Bottled: April 23, 2001

Winemaking

More than 80 vineyard blocks in Carneros, Anderson Valley and along the Sonoma and Marin coasts are carefully nurtured throughout the growing season. Cluster samples are pulled several times before the optimal pick date for each block is selected. Complexity is gained through fermentation in both oak barrels and stainless steel tanks. Some of the small lots undergo malolactic fermentation to enrich aromas and infuse creaminess on the palate.

Barrel Fermentation: 38%

Napa-Carneros: Tognetti Southeast, Tognetti Northwest, Schwarze
Anderson Valley: Rose
Marin County: Pacheco

Aging

The wine is then aged en tirage in Schramsberg’s historic Diamond Mountain caves for 5 years, 9 months sur lie, riddled by hand, and finished with an exceptional brut dosage.

Food Pairing

J. Schram is quite appealing on its own as an apéritif or enjoyed with fresh shellfish, caviar, smoked salmon, tangy cheeses, seafood brochettes or risotto with prosciutto.