Le Rêve Blanc de Blancs 2011
Trade Tools
America / Carneros
Inspired by Champagne Taittinger’s Comtes de Champagne, yet its own reflection of its Carneros terroir, Domaine Carneros’ luxury tête-de-cuvée is crafted from six organically grown estate clones of Chardonnay. The wine is made using the traditional method of Champagne, and is aged in the bottle a tremendous five to six years sur lie before release.
Harvest Note
During the 2011 growing season there was frost in the vineyard and the season ended with a very cool summer, resulting in a reduced crop size. This intensely flavorful cuvée is something of a late bloomer, as most great wines are, so consider ageing this Le Rêve a little longer than usual.
Tasting Note
A perfect Le Rêve with lovely notes of white flowers, Meyer lemon, quince, pear and a hint of pineapple with a toasty to slightly smoky aroma. The palate opens up to honeysuckle and crème brûlée. The full mouthfeel leads to a very round and long finish. Delicious now, but there will be additional flavor benefits for those who can wait.
Technical Data
GRAPES: 100% Chardonnay
APPELLATION: Carneros
PH: 3.2
ACIDITY: 0.71g/100ml
ABV: 12%
DOSAGE: 0.9% g/L
AGING: Aged in bottle for five to six years sur lie
Unique Selling Points
- The winery’s tête-de-cuvée, a luxury Blanc de Blancs (made only from white grapes) crafted from five estate-grown clones of Chardonnay
- 100% Carneros fruit, 100% estate grown
- Aged for a minimum of five and a half years on the lees—a time commitment given to only the finest sparkling wines
“The Taittingers and I both believe that Blanc de Blancs, made from superlative vineyards, are the greatest, and longest-lived of all sparkling wines. We age our Le Rêve (French for the dream) five to six years before release. Taste the depth of flavor and extraordinarily long finish.”
Eileen Crane, Founding Winemaker
About the Grape
Chardonnay
Though it has a distinctive profile, Chardonnay reflects other factors such as soil composition and vinification technique. Chardonnay is a reliable, hardy and prolific vine whose only real vulnerabilities are frost and uneven development of fruit.
