2010 En Tirage Reserve Cuvée Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut

Producer: En Tirage  
Region: Carneros, Sonoma County, California
Blend: 80% Chardonnay, 20% Pinot Noir 
Year: 2010  

Retail Price: $50.00 
Sale Price: $24.99* 

Don Baumhefner is one of the most influential, yet unheard of names in California wine. He ran the John Ash wine program in 1980 where he helped launch the careers of  Dan Kosta and Michael Browne, of Kosta-Browne fame. Don, sommelier and winemaker, began Chateau Beaux Hauts in the 1980’s while working with Joseph Swan at his winery.   Encouraged by the results of these first vintages Don produced the first En Tirage with the 1990 vintage and a follow up 1992 bottling. 21 years after that first vintage Don finally felt the wines were ready to release.  Michael Broadbent, one of the world's foremost wine experts, said of the 1992 vintage, "Tastes like an old Bollinger. A Bollinger R.D." The French Laundry poured the entire '92 vintage and continues to be a loyal supporter of Don Baumhefner's bubbly. The San Francisco Chronicle described En Tirage as "Sonoma's Most Elusive Sparkling Wine" and went on a hunt to track down more bottles. Don released his follow up vintage with a Blanc de Blancs made with fruit from Beckstoffer’s “Las Amigas Vineyard” in Carneros and aged it for an extra 11 years.  The 2010 En Tirage Reserve Cuvée Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut is rich and complex with a bright fresh fruit character.  It has aromas of croissants, lemon curd, baked apple and dried honeycomb.  The combination of toasty, doughy notes with the bright tang of citrus and a hint of nuttiness showcases the wine's depth and sophistication.  On the palate, these opulent flavors unfold revealing layers of structured indulgence.  The silky bubbles create a delightful texture, while a vibrant acidity cuts through the richness.  Enjoy!

Winemaker Notes: 

“This is exactly the same cuvée as the first release of Blanc de Blancs, which benefited from having six years of aging before disgorgement. The extra five years has given it some new flavors and even more complexity and richness, while absolutely maintaining the wonderful bright fresh fruit character of the original release. 

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 

Alcohol: 12%  

*Price and availability in store may vary. Discounts do not apply to wines like this one currently on sale.