En Tirage 2010 Blanc de Blancs “Beckstoffer” Carneros, Napa Valley – Recently Disgorged

When you think you’ve seen (tasted) it all, something else “pops” up. The Beckstoffer family has been growing some of the most amazing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in Carneros (Napa) for years and my old friend Don Baumhefner owner of the elusive Chateau Beaux Hauts Bubbly produced one of the best bubblies to ever come from California. He just released his recently disgorged En Tirage “Blanc de Blancs” sparkling wine, sorry cannot call it “Champagne” here, but hey, this is worthy of being called Champagne in my book! This release is a blend of 80% Chardonnay and 20% Pinot Noir with a dosage of 4 grams per liter, this makes it probably the driest sparkling wine on the market.

This bottling was recently disgorged offering up amazing freshness.

Only 300 cases produced, so this one will go very quick! For those sensitive ones, only 12.5% ABV

TASTING NOTES: “The pale straw color and very subtle sparkling appearance of this wine, veil what lies beneath. Aromas of warm butter croissant, lemon curd, baked apple, and dried honeycomb give the impression you just walked into a French bakery. Toasty and doughy flavors paired with tart citrus fruit and subtle nuttiness convey the maturity and complexity of a wine developing though lees aging. On the palate, these rich flavors are layered upon each other in a savory mille-feuille of structured decadence. Silky effervescence provides the textural background for an elevated acidity to pierce through the gravity of this wine which perfectly expresses the ethos of En Tirage.” – Desmond Echavarrie, Master Sommelier.