Blanc de Noirs (white from black) is the counterpart to Blanc de Blancs (white from white). Made primarily from the red grape Pinot Noir, this is a complex, medium-bodied, brut sparkling wine. Schramsberg pioneered the Blanc de Noirs style in the United States, producing the first such commercial American sparkler in 1967. The key to producing this Blanc de Noirs is our sourcing of Pinot Noir grapes from a vast and varied selection of cool-climate vineyards. Pinot Noir from low-yielding Sonoma and Marin coastal vineyards combine with fruit from Carneros and Anderson Valley sites, to develop a sparkling wine with a breadth of fruitful aroma and flavor. Select Chardonnay lots are then added, to give zest and backbone to the blend.

Making a white wine from a red grape requires great care, hand-picked fruit, early morning harvest, optimal maturity, and delicate pressing. A balance of bright flavors, crisp acidity and minimal tannins is achieved. Barrel and malolactic fermentation of select wine lots add richness and body. Yeast contact in the bottle harmonizes all the elements together. The youthful fruit character of the wine will develop and soften with additional age in the bottle. With proper storage, this sparkling wine will be delicious for many years, even decades to come.

Schramsberg Blanc de Noirs is particularly well-suited to serve with a variety of foods, including soft and nutty cheeses, macadamia nut-crusted halibut, and pork tenderloin with fresh rosemary and lemon thyme.

The 2020 growing season was produced by a dry, mild winter. Early bud break and light crop yields led to an early harvest. Cool and moderate summer conditions gave way to heat spells and forest fires through August and September. Our team worked through these challenges to produce a delicious array of sparkling wines.

TASTING NOTES
The 2020 Blanc de Noirs expresses generous and layered aromas of red apple, juicy pear, ripe orange, and mango. The palate opens with bright pink grapefruit, apricot and pineapple notes. A dense, juicy center leads to a long lingering finish.
- Winemakers Jessica Koga, Sean Thompson and Hugh Davies

Harvest Dates: August 5 - September 12, 2020
Barrel Fermentation: 18%
Alcohol: 12.8%
TA: 0.78 g/100mL
pH: 3.21
RS: 0.80 g/100mL
Release Date: March 1, 2023
Cases Produced: 11,250