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1991 J Vintage Brut (Magnum)
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Distinctively beautiful to the eye, the 1991 J magnum bottle itself is
the first clue that one is about to encounter something truly extraordinary.
The 1991 J magnum bottle is one of few in the world designed to accept
a cork and agrafe - a traditional closure used during secondary fermentation.
This time-honored method secures the cork with a hand-applied agrafe,
a strong metal clasp which keeps the cork in place under the pressure
of secondary fermentation and during subsequent ageing on the lees.
The wine benefits from contact with the natural cork which has a unique
capacity to breathe. This ancient technique renders the wine more supple
while retaining its lively acidity.
Because the bottles are sealed with agrafes, all of the operations
which would normally be performed mechanically must be done manually.
Thus, each bottle is hand bottled, riddled, disgorged and labeled. The
wine is aged for a minimum of eight months after disgorging, enhancing
its creaminess. This slow process assures that each bottle leaving our
cellars is of the best quality possible.
The 1991 J is the result of a long, cool growing season in the Russian
River Valley. This vintage is marked by exceptionally balanced and fruity
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes. The initial aromas are suggestive of
flowers, figs, pears, melons and fresh lychee nuts. As the wine "opens up"
in the glass, more of the yeast autolysis aromas reveal themselves: light,
doughy and toasty nuances interlaced with vanilla and butterscotch.
On the palate, the 1991 J reveals its lineage immediately. In keeping
with the J style, the wine is bursting with lively fruit flavors: Fuji
apples, Asian pears, melon and grapefruit that are well-integrated into
a soft mouthfeel. The natural acidity of the wine serves to preserve
freshness and leads to a very long clean finish with slightly nutty
overtones. In keeping with J tradition, five years of ageing en tirage
offers our 1991 J an exceptional component of complexity.
While the wine is designed to be in perfect balance at the time of release,
our experience shows that it will keep its appeal and freshness for
years to come, with time the wine will become more yeasty and nutty.
While the aromas and subtle flavors are indicative of fruit, the dryness
of the wine enables one to pair J with a wide spectrum of foods.
As with previous vintages of J, we recommend this wine be enjoyed with
good food and good company! Sparkling wine is often associated with
celebration and romance but is perfectly suited for any day of the week…
whether it be for casual or elegant moments.
Blend:
53.4% Chardonnay (100% Russian River)
46.6% Pinot Noir (48.6% Russian River, 38.9% Alexander Valley, 12.5% Monterey County)
94.2% Sonoma County, 5.8% Monterey County
Released June, 1997
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