Schramsberg, North Coast, Reserve 2001 The nose is very smoky and toasty, with a sense of freshly buttered pastry. In the mouth, the wine is reminiscent of a fresh pastry made with lemon and custard and topped with lots of lime cordial – a sweet-tart essense that is quite long. This wine is very rich style of sparkling yet I would have to say that the J. Schram recently reviewed saw a better reception from the class.
Tasted a year later, in 2009, there’s more of a mushroom-like essence in the nose, a smell that is quite complex and fetching. The grapes are 70% Pinot Noir and 3% Chardonnay, sourced from Marin 6%, Napa 29%, Sonoma 30% and Mendocino 35%. Complexity is achieved through 40% barrel fermentation and just over 5 years on the lees. The wine was disgorged in August ’07 and the dosage is 11.6 grams/litre. Vintner Hugh Davies. P&B in Calistoga. 12.4% $73.49 at Bottle Barn Schramsberg
