2003 Le Rêve Blanc de Blancs Sparkling Wine

This sparkling wine is very expressive now and is destined to be a long-lived classic. Generous aromas of white flowers, baked pear, and lemon curd tempt the palate. Tastes of white fruit, ginger, crème brûlée and a grace note of toasted nuts from the long aging are followed by a remarkably long silky finish.

Wine Spectator, October 2009, 92 points World Wine Championships 2009, 94 and Gold Medal

Wine Spectator, October 2009, 92 points ; World Wine Championships 2009, 94 and Gold Medal ; Critics Challenge 2009, Gold Medal ; Sommelier Challenge 2009, Gold Medal

The 2003 growing season was tempered by fog most mornings, leading to a long slow ripening season. The tiny crop yielded a wine of remarkable intensity.

The blend of the 2003 Le Rêve is 98% chardonnay selected from an array of five different estate-grown clones with 2% estate pinot blanc. It has been aged in the bottle on the lees for six years. The appellation is 100% Carneros, 100% from the 2003 vintage and 100% estate-grown.

This wine matches particularly well with shellfish such as crab, lobster and scallops. It will also enhance a variety of fish and poultry dishes and is an excellent match with goat cheese and double or triple cream cheeses.