Nose

Bright aromas of green apple, ripe grapefruit and sweet pineapple followed by exotic nuances of mango, guava, panna cotta and toasted almond.

Palate

On first sip, tangerine and Kaffir lime are present, which are accentuated by layers of tart pear and Fuji apple. The palate’s texture is viscous and savory on entry. A long finish is driven by generous mouthwatering and lingering acidity.

Growing Conditions

A cool, wet spring delayed budbreak, with flowering beginning in early June. Heat in July promoted ripening, paving the way for harvest to start near the end of August. The vintage was drawn out due to cool weather in August and September. With no environmental pressures to start harvest, grapes were picked at the precise ripeness for sparkling wine with delicious flavors, low sugars and high acidities.

County Composition: 47% Napa, 46% Sonoma, 6% Marin, 1% Mendocino

Bottling

Bottled: April 10-11, 2007

Winemaking

Cluster samples from more than 100 cool-climate vineyard sources 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: 40%

Principal Chardonnay Blocks
Napa-Carneros: Schwarze, Jones, Hyde, Tognetti
Sonoma County: Hawk Hill, Bates

Aging

The wine is then aged on the yeast in Schramsberg’s historic Diamond Mountain caves, riddled by hand, and finished with an exceptional brut dosage.

Food Pairing

J. Schram is appealing on its own as an apéritif or enjoyed with fresh shellfish, caviar on toast point, smoked salmon, tangy cheeses, seafood brochettes, cedar-planked lobster, mesquite-grilled quail or Serrano ham and porcini risotto.