NV Schramsberg Mirabelle Brut
Schramsberg is one of our favorite California houses for groovy bubbles. Whiffs of Golden Delicious apple, fig and toast on the palate make it easy to understand why Mirabelle is on all the swank restaurant lists around Napa. Grab some Mirabelle, and come join the party!
Schramsberg is a Napa tradition turned national treasure. From their caves built by Chinese immigrants after the completion of the transcontinental railroad to being served at the White House at official state functions, they've amassed the quintessential American success story. 2012 marks their 150th Anniversary of being the first hillside vineyard in Napa. They're tucked into the lush forested slopes of Diamond Mountain, just a few miles south of Calistoga. The estate totals 218 acres with roughly 43 planted to vines. Jack and Jamie Davies purchased the property in 1965 after a year long search for the perfect site. They've painstakingly restored the Victorian home and winery on site and now, son Hugh runs the show and has expanded the profile into still wines with a lot of depth. Preserving the land and showcasing Napa's ability to produce world class wines has always been their tenant. Their dedication to quality will give them the stronghold to carry along well into the future, perhaps another 150 years…
This elegant and plush wine is compelling from the first whiff of brioche through creamy, baking-spice flavors to a lingering delicate finish. A luxurious mouthfeel, good balance between crispness and ripeness and a profusion of flavor make it rival the quality of the parent brand, Schramsberg. (JG)(9/2019)90 pointsWine SpectatorAlluring and nuanced, with expressive pear, brioche and caramelized hazelnut flavors that finish on a rich, polished note. (TF)(11/2019)Robert Parker's Wine AdvocateThe NV Mirabelle Brut is made up of 56% Chardonnay and 44% Pinot Noir and was made using 84% fruit from the 2016 vintage, with the remainder coming from aged reserve lots. It has a bright, open nose of poached pears, red apples, toast, crushed stone and lemon juice. The medium-bodied palate is dry, bright and racy with finely beaded mousse, a saline current and lifted finish. The Mirabelle is generally aged on tirage about 18-28 months, and the entire case production is disgorged in several separate lots over about 10 months. (EB)(8/2020)