2000 J Vintage Brut (Magnum)

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Winemaker Notes
The 2000 growing season in the Russian River Valley was close to perfect for sparkling wine production. Yields were moderate and the grapes showed a good balance of flavor and acidity.

Processing
The grapes were hand-harvested into forty pound lugs and placed whole cluster (no destemming) into our one-of-a-kind Coquard press for a gentle pressing cycle. Grape juice from the various vineyard lots is fermented and kept separate until blending decisions are made in mid-November. The cuvée (blend) was assembled in December of 2000, and cold stabilized to remove excess tartrates. It was then bottled over the spring of 2001.

Ageing
After secondary fermentation in the bottle, the wine was aged on the cork, en tirage (on the yeast) for 5 years in our cool cellars. In late 2005, we began riddling the wine (to remove the yeast sediment responsible for the aging character) and a dosage liqueur was prepared from a blend of wood-aged, reserve wines and pure cane sugar. After the wine was disgorged, the wine is aged for another 12 months before it is released from our cellar to ensure a perfect balance of flavors.

Tasting Notes
The first aromas of the 2000 J Brut in magnum suggest a rich, complex and lively méthode champenoise wine. Carried by the delicate effervescence are aromas of crème brûlée, toasted brioche and roasted almonds. The palate is lush with a creamy entry and a mix of citrus and honey flavors with a plush mouthfeel that lead to a crisp, mineral finish.

Harvest:  August 10 to September 15, 2000

Harvest Analysis:  Average sugar level 19.5° Brix

Final Analysis:  Alcohol 12.5% by volume

Final Blend:
51% Chardonnay
46% Pinot Noir
3% Pinot Meunier

100 % Russian River Valley

950 cases produced