Napa sparkles

Domaine Chandon etoile Brut
This is true to type with the house style of forward fruit and a soft profile. The fruit source for this wine is 54% from Napa and 46% from Sonoma. After primary ferment this wine was put in the bottle for its secondary ferment in 2001 and aged for 5 years on the lees. It is wonderful to see this wine bottled under a crown cap as is more common in Australia. P&B in Yountville 12.5% $25.99 at Bottle Barn Chandon

Mumm Napa Napa Valley DVX 2000
Unfortunately this wine was smelling of fish oil and didn’t enchant anyone in the room. I wish we could have tried a second bottle. At the end of June ’08 we had that opportunity and again the smell left alot to be desired. Fish oil for me, like a can of anchovies and rubber notes for others in the room. All Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Named after Guy Deveaux. P&B in Rutherford12.5% $47.99 at Traverso’s Mumm Napa

About RJ

Ray Johnson is the Executive Director of the Wine Business Institute at Sonoma State University. He writes about food and wine, his travels and the business of wine. He makes his home in Sonoma County, California.
This entry was posted in California, Carneros, Chardonnay, Napa Valley, Pinot Noir, Sonoma County, Sparkling Dry. Bookmark the permalink.

Leave a Reply