1992 J Vintage Brut (Magnum)

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Processing
The uniqueness of J’s own Russian River Valley vineyards is evident in this limited edition vintage. Entirely estate grown, grapes from Nicole’s Vineyard and Nick & Nonny’s Vineyard were gently pressed—whole cluster—in J’s unique Coquard champagne press. The juice settled for twenty-four hours, then racked and inoculated with Prise De Mousse yeast for the primary fermentation. Assemblage took place in winter of 1992 when base wines were blended. Magnums were bottled March 7th and 8th, 1993.

Ageing
The wine aged for five years “sur lie” in our cool cellars before riddling. Following hand disgorging, we added a dosage (the addition of vintage reserve wines aged in casks) and pure cane sugar to finish the wine. An additional six months of ageing on the cork assures the wine of symmetry.

The 1992 J Magnum was hand bottled and sealed with a cork and agrafe during ageing. Because we use agrafes as in the old world tradition, all magnums are completely done by hand. Starting with hand picked grapes, all J magnums are bottled, disgorged, and labeled by hand. This ancient technique renders the wine more supple yet enables it to retain lively acidity. The special process assures that each bottle leaving our cellars is the finest quality possible.

Harvest: August 15th and 18th, 1992

Harvest Analysis: Average sugar 19.1° Brix

Final Analysis: Alcohol 12.2% by volume

Final Blend:
61.7% Chardonnay
38.3% Pinot Noir