I was recently at Bern’s Steakhouse in Tampa, Florida. Bern’s is one of the great wine restaurants in North America (and arguably the world). I ordered a bottle of ‘Le Reve’ sparkling wine by Domaine Carneros and was saddened to find out that they were completely sold out. I had enjoyed older bottlings of this wine in the past and was really disappointed. For many years I have been enchanted by this sparkling wine bottling which seems to be somewhat ageless. Even in warmer vintages the wine tends to age so well.
Dating back to the 1970s, Claude Taittinger, of famed Champagne house Taittinger, began his search for a good spot to make California Sparkling Wine. It was then in 1987 that he selected a 138-acre parcel in the Carneros region of the Napa Valley. The spot he selected is truly unique, as it has a massive maritime influence being perched near the bay. The vineyard is quite windy and produces highly concentrated berries that are very small in size.
A few years back Domaine Carneros hired Remi Cohen to serve as CEO and help with sparkling winemaker Zak Miller and Pinot Noir winemaker TJ Evans. She took over Napa pioneer Eileen Crane, who had been crafting sensational, age-worthy sparkling wines in the Napa Valley for over 30 years.
I adored the new 2016 Domaine Carneros ‘Le Reve’ Rose Sparkling Wine (OB, 96) which shows incredible flavor and aromatic range with a silky mousse and wonderful complexity. This is a great wine for any lover of sparkling wine or Champagne. Learn more about these outstanding wines at https://www.domainecarneros.com Here are the new sparkling wines by Domaine Carneros
2016 Domaine Carneros ‘Le Reve’ Rose Sparkling Wine- A brand new wine to this portfolio, the 2016 ‘Le Reve’ Rose Sparkling Wine is a gorgeous blend of 55% Pinot Noir and 45% Chardonnay that was given .9% dosage and was aged on the lees for six years prior to disgorgement. A brilliant pink hue, this offers tart cranberry and salmonberry notes on the nose alongside freshly baked French bread and stony undertones. The mousse is elegant and very inviting on the approach. Wonderfully earthy and nutty, this shows a great combination of red berry and orchard fruits, with wild mushroom and kumquat notes. Do not serve this beauty too warm! Drink 2023-2038- 96