NV Chandon Reserve Pinot Noir Brut
Mission Codename: Vintage ‘76
Operative: Agent Sparkle, Wine Spies resident Sparkling wine expert
Objective: Close our Bottle Shock Movie Week on The Wine Spies with, what else, a bottle of fantastic sparkling wine! Locate a fantastic bottle, from a winery related to the film. Secure an ample supply for our celebration-loving Operatives
Mission Status: Accomplished!
Current Winery: Domaine Chandon
Wine Subject: Reserve Pinot Noir Brut
Winemaker: Tom Tiburzi
Backgrounder: In 1976, California wine made history by beating the best that the French had to offer. The event was the now famous, Judgment of Paris. Auspiciously, 1976 was also the year Domaine Chandon released its first sparkling wine. Here’s what the New York Times had to say about the blind tasting event:
The New York Times, Wednesday June 9, 1976 : ”Several California wines triumphed over some of the best Burgundy has to offer in a blind tasting in Paris recently. More startling: The judges were French.”
Today, The Wine Spies celebrate California’s victory by bringing you a superb bottle of Sparkling wine from Domaine Chandon, a Napa Valley winery with a rich history and a reputation for producing the finest California Bubbly available. Read Agent Sparkle’s tasting notes and mission report below.
Wine Spies Tasting Profile:
Look – A beautiful golden hay color with large and small energetic bubbles. Using a non-etched champagne flute (which can influence the course that bubbles take through the wine), the large bubbles shoot upward from the middle, while the small bubbles glide up the periphery
Smell – Reminds me of fresh spring water fountain cascading down moss covered rock wall. Also smells of fresh baked apple pie with subtle cinnamon. Aged strong white cheddar and a hint of salami.
Feel – This bubble starts light at the front of the mouth with a distinct tip-o-tongue frenzy of bubbles. When I hold the wine in my mouth I get the sensation that I have liquid bubble-wrap in my mouth – that I can pop between my tongue and the roof of my mouth. Overall, the wine is medium-bodied, fresh, crisp and wet. The tannins are in check here, giving the wine a wet feel rather than an overly dry one.
Taste – Delicious bright citrus and Bartlett pear are followed by softest cherry. Also present here are the subtle combined flavors of a cracker with aged cheddar and candied pear, ending with soft flavors of apple pie and whipped cream. I don’t mean to give the impression that this bubbly is overly sweet. Rather, it finds a true balance between sweet and tart.
Finish – Initially wet, with flavors that ramp up quickly and then taper off slowly moving from sweet to gently tart, creamy and somewhat earthy
Conclusion – This is a perfect sparkling wine for fine dining, entertaining and even less formal events like a picnic or an outdoor concert. I enjoyed this wine on an overcast afternoon with salami, hard cheeses and Carr’s crackers. Overall, this is a refreshing, crisp and clean wine that also has its share of fullness and body. True to my name, I am very particular about my sparkling wines. This one passes the test and I hope that you enjoy it as much as I do!
Mission Report:
As Agent Red reported yesterday, this month has been a crazy one.
The movie premier that we attended was great fun, and I got to have my first celebrity experience. It was, well, interesting, although I can’t say that I’d ever want to be a celeb. Its seems like a very strange life, with your every move observed and directed.
Bill Pullman was really nice. So was Freddy Rodriguez. If you thought that Agent Red was short, you should see Freddy. Cute guy, to be sure, but not nearly the hunk that is our very own Agent Red.
After the premier was over and I was able to tear Agent Red away from his fans, we retired to our nearby hotel. There, we sat on the veranda, under the stars. We were happy that the week was behind us and were looking forward to enjoying the rest of the weekend before being sent off on new mission.
The quiet stillness of the warm Napa night was broken by the unmistakable POP of a champagne cork. Or, as it turned out, a sparkling wine cork.
We turned toward the source of the pop, and saw the grinning face of one of the films stars. [CENSORED] brought the bottle over and produced two glasses for a picnic basket that he was carrying. Pouring the bubbly, he smiled, thanked us for the work that we were doing with the wineries in the film, and then walked away.
The bottle was an exquisite Reserve Brut of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, from Domaine Chandon. We sipped and sniffed and swished and enjoyed the wine. I loved it, and when I got back to Central Command, I made it a point to secure some for our Operatives.
Today we celebrate the close of a very exciting and very special seven days here on The Wine Spies. Our Bottle Shock week was a ton of fun and you responded by taking advantage of the great Bottle Shock wines that we made available to you.
Today’s exceptional sparkling wine is the perfect celebration wine. In fact, I declare that this bubbly is my new personal favorite!
Our quantity is somewhat limited, so please take advantage early. Remember to stock up for special events. Jeez, before even you know it, the Holiday’s will be upon us..
Cheers!
Wine Spies Vineyard Check:
The location of the beautiful Domaine Chandon winery can be seen in this satellite photo.
