Domaine Chandon Pinot Meunier 2005

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7 Reviews

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Winery:

Domaine Chandon

Varietal:

Pinot Meunier

Region:

USA > California > Napa > Carneros

Type:

Red Wine

Color:

Drink Dates:

Drink Now - 2013

UPC:

 

User Tags:  smooth, fruity, bland, fruit, fruits, luscious, cherry, berry, (tree) fruit, stone fruits 

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What to Expect

The third, and least used, grape of Champagne. Pinot Meunier has historically been used to add an earthy edge and aromatic depth to Champagne. It is also bottled as a still red wine where it displays its earthy edged cherry fruit on a medium-bodied frame. It resembles a rustic version of Pinot Noir, albeit with higher acidity and clumsier tannins.

Winemakers Notes

PHILOSOPHYWhile Domaine Chandon is best known as one of Americas top sparkling wines, the winery also produces limited quantities of varietal wines from estate-grown vineyards. These wines are crafted by drawing on experience with the traditional champagne varietals and showcasing select parcels from its Carneros ranch, where Domaine Chandon was among the pioneering growers and vintners of the region.Pinot Meunier (French for miller in reference to the powdery underside of the leaves that can look as though dusted with flour) is the soulful sibling of Pinot Noir. It plays a small but vital read more...role in the blending of Chandon sparkling wines. Rarely planted outside of the Champagne region in France, Pinot Meunier is being discovered by only the most adventurous winemakers. Domaine Chandons experience growing Carneros Pinot Meunier for its sparkling wine programs over the past three decades has provided unique insight, allowing the winemaking team to capture the full potential of this variety to create an exceptional wine. Its distinctive character deserves a place on every wine lovers table. First made in 1989, the 2006 Pinot Meunier continues Domaine Chandons proud tradition pioneering unique wine styles. Search for this wine and you will be rewarded.VINTAGE NOTESThe 2006 growing season started late, with challenges from New Year flooding and wet weather continuing late into spring delaying budbreak. By early June, the sun came out and vines began to bloom and set fruit. Mid-Julys recordsetting ten day heat wave helped catch the vines up to a normal place in the growing season. Somewhat cooler weather arrived in August and continued through a mild Indian summer, allowing maximum hangtime and optimal flavor development just prior to harvesting the Pinot Meunier in 2006. Harvest began about two weeks later than usual and also ended late, in mid-October.TASTING NOTESWith its light brick-red color, this wine exhibits aromas of freshly ground white pepper, juniper berry and dried strawberry powder combined with hints of soft chamois leather and underlying earth tones of dried porcini mushrooms, tobacco and brown spice. On the palate, the spice and red fruit flavors are a prelude to the strawberry and dried cranberry flavors that linger on the finish. This texture of this wine is soft and approachable with light tannins, balanced acidity and a pleasant creamy mouthfeel.FOOD AND WINE PAIRINGStill Winemaker James Kress finds the complex earthiness of this wine makes it an ideal partner to grilled meat dishes that incorporate wild mushrooms, or a pork loin topped with a mountain huckleberry sauce would also be a welcome match.Winemaker: James KressVintage: 2006Harvest Dates: September 2006Appellation: CarnerosComposition: 100 % Pinot MeunierAging: 10 months 82% French oak 18% American oak- 28% New Oak Alcohol: 14.3%Case Production: 6,800 cases    (hide)

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