2016 GOWC Coles Valley Vyd Umpqua Valley Blanc De Noir Sparkling

12.5

Energetic and bubbly in the glass with a light golden hue, this sparkling wine has notes of apple blossom, lemon zest and shortbread with vibrant acidity, a vein of iridescent minerality, and a creamy finish. The radiant color and lively effervescence make for a very attractive visual even before tasting. This 100% Pinot Noir sparkling wine is produced from fruit that was sourced at our very own Coles Valley Vineyard in the Umpqua Valley from the 2016 vintage. Following a similar production path to that of vintage Champagne, this wine spends almost four years on the lees before being disgorged. The result is a sparkling wine with a rich, mature, nutty complexity that fits the seductive profile of a Pinot Noir sparkler. Traditional Blanc de Noirs Champagne producers have the option to include both Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, but is the Pinot Noir that truly adds the richness and complexity to the Champagne blend. On its own, it can be decadently pure and full of concentrated silky smooth layers. This is an outstanding example of a new world Blanc de Noirs, and the value relative to true Champagne is remarkable.

Just south of the Willamette Valley lies the warmer Umpqua Valley AVA, home to the 300 acre Cole’s Valley Vineyard. Fruit from this vineyard site produces highly perfumed wines with bright fruitiness and a pleasing softness on the palate.

The 2016 Blanc de Noir is made with 100% Pinot Noir grapes. Patiently following in the footsteps of classic French sparkling wine houses, this wine was aged on lees in bottle for four years before disgorgement, creating a seductive sparkling wine of elegance with layers of complexity