2018 Goat Bubbles, Blanc de Noirs Ampelos

Awards

Wine Enthusiast 92 points

"Sharp aromas of lime peel and grapefruit kick off the nose on this single-vineyard expression of sparkling wine. The palate is focused on slicing flavors of underripe melon and caviar lime, enlivening the sip deep into the finish."

--Matt Kettmann

Food Pairing

Pair with sea bass, fettuccini Alfredo, Dungeness crab, lobster roll, arugula salad garnished with orange, green olive and walnut.  For dessert, take a crack at mixed fruit meringue pie.  RIch and creamy cheese, such as Saint Andre Triple Creme Brie and Humboldt Fog, will also suit the lavishness of this razor-sharp wine on a warm afternoon. 

Production Notes

Pinot Noir clone 115; 77 cases produced

Tasting Notes

Bubbles dance along the rim of this pearlescent sparkler, urging you into the gaiety of a big band swing revival or New Year's Eve.  Enjoy aromas of grapefruit, orange zest, and underripe nectarine on the nose.  The hint of granny smith apple accentuated by a creamy texture delight the palate--but wait, the magic is really in the finish.  

Vineyard Notes

This is our third vintage sourcing fruit from Ampelos Vineyard in Sta. Rita Hills AVA. The vineyard is unique because it is certified as organic, biodynamic and sustainable in practice, which is a trifecta for wine and Mother Earth. 

Winemaker Notes

The grapes were picked on August 23, 2018, at 19.0 Brix and then whole cluster pressed. Towards the end of fermentation, the wine was gently moved to neutral French oak barrels to attain a touch of creamy texture while aging. In June 2019, the young wine was filtered and decanted into sparkling wine bottles and a crown cap applied. This resulted in a secondary fermentation in the bottle which produced carbon dioxide in the wine. After 17 months of aging, the wine was then riddled by hand to collect all the sediment from the secondary fermentation. The Blanc de Noirs was disgorged by hand, a champagne cork inserted, a wire cage applied and the Goat Bubbles signature wax cap (gold for Ampelos) added for the finishing touch.