Schramsberg · Blanc de Blancs 2023 · North Coast, California
Schramsberg Blanc de Blancs 2023 is a Chardonnay sparkling wine with bright apple, citrus and pear aromas framed by warm bread and pie-crust notes. Clean acidity and a tangy finish bring freshness to its juicy center.
Expert Reviews · Vintage 2023
James Suckling · 93 Points · February 2026 · Review Excerpt: A hint of reduction on the nose adds depth and minerality to aromas of sliced lemons, oyster shells, pie crust and grapefruit. The midweight palate shows precise acidity and a finely beaded mousse....
Wine Spectator · 93 Points · September 2026: Graceful and delicately structured, with pretty lemon, honeysuckle and blanched almond flavors that glide on the long, vibrant finish.
Winemaker Tasting Notes · 2023
Winemakers Sean Thompson, Jessica Koga and Hugh Davies: Our 2023 Blanc de Blancs greets the nose with bright aromas of fresh apple, pineapple, lemon blossom, and Asian pear; with warm touches of lemon meringue, fresh bread, and pie crust. On the palate, clean acidity is driven by green apple, lemon zest, and limeade. Hints of lemon curd and sugar cookie support a juicy, quenching center, with a tangy and clean finish.
The 2023 Growing Season
The 2023 growing season brought a welcome return to cooler, more moderate conditions across the North Coast after several dry, warm years. A wet winter replenished soils and delayed budbreak, followed by a mild summer that allowed for slow, even ripening. The resulting fruit shows exceptional balance and purity, with vibrant acidity and finely developed flavors.
About Schramsberg Blanc de Blancs
Blanc de Blancs (white from whites), made from Chardonnay, is the counterpart to the Blanc de Noirs (white from blacks), made from Pinot Noir. Blanc de Blancs was the first wine Schramsberg produced in 1965 and was America's first commercially produced Chardonnay-based brut sparkling wine. Schramsberg Blanc de Blancs gained international recognition in 1972 when then President Nixon served the wine at the historic Toast to Peace in Beijing, China.
The Schramsberg style of Blanc de Blancs is dry and crisp. Small lots of barrel fermented wines, some of which complete malolactic fermentation, are added to stainless-steel fermented wines to create added complexity in the blended base wine. After undergoing a second fermentation in bottle, the wine then ages on its yeast lees for about two years prior to disgorgement. With its vibrant, fruitful and focused nature, this sparkling wine will maintain its freshness, structure and refined finish for many years, even decades following its initial release.
Earlier Press · New York Times · December 21, 2023
Eric Asimov · Earlier Release, Not a Review of the 2023 Vintage: Schramsberg was one of California’s modern pioneers of sparkling wine, with 1965 as its first vintage. A lot has changed in California’s sparkling wine world since then, with many small producers now making excellent wines. But Schramsberg is still going strong. This blanc de blancs, made entirely from chardonnay, is creamy, toasty, crisp and fresh.
Food Pairings & Serving
Enjoy chilled as an apéritif or with fresh oysters and other shellfish, crab cakes, ceviche and grilled sea bass. It is also delicious with lemon chicken and Thai curries. Serve with aged Gouda and other hard cheeses, or as a counterpoint to soft triple creams.
Wine Details
- Producer: Schramsberg Vineyards
- Wine: Blanc de Blancs
- Vintage: 2023
- Origin: North Coast, California, United States
- Grape: Chardonnay
- Style: Brut sparkling wine
- Second fermentation: In bottle
- Bottle size: 750ml
- 2023 reviews: James Suckling 93 points; Wine Spectator 93 points
Bright Chardonnay fruit, toasty detail and a tangy finish for the table or an aperitif.
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