Schramsberg’s 2012 Blanc de Blancs is a 100-percent Chardonnay beauty. The nose shows notes of brioche and green apple. On the palate this excellent sparkler delivers crunchy apple and bright lemon notes, with firm acid backbone framed by hints of fruit, spice and nuts. Fresh and lively now, it will also hold for a number of years in a temperature-controlled cellar. At the price it would seem to be entering Champagne territory, but won’t suffer by comparison. Well made and destined to be long-lived.
Schramsberg, North Coast (California) 2012
By Robert Whitley