Columbia Valley, Washington

Sparkling White wine from United States

Drinking window: 2018 - 2022

• (10.5 g/l total acidity; made from Pommard clones 114, 115, 667 and 777): Pale yellow. Gives a riper impression on the nose than the Blancs de Blancs, with a dominant aroma of lemon drop. Supple, tactile and chewy; a rounder wine than the Blanc de Blancs and easier to enjoy now owing to its volume and fleshiness--and red berry hints--but without quite the same precision or refinement. This wine offers a hint of sweetness but in fact it's technically quite dry and did not go through malolactic fermentation. Incidentally, this and the Blanc de Blancs will carry the Royal Slope appellation in future vintages. (10.5% alcohol)

  Stephen Tanzer. Tasting date: June 2018

• (10.5 g/l total acidity; made from Pommard clones 114, 115, 667 and 777): Pale yellow. Gives a riper impression on the nose than the Blancs de Blancs, with a dominant aroma of lemon drop. Supple, tactile and chewy; a rounder wine than the Blanc de Blancs and easier to enjoy now owing to its volume and fleshiness--and red berry hints--but without quite the same precision or refinement. This wine offers a hint of sweetness but in fact it's technically quite dry and did not go through malolactic fermentation. Incidentally, this and the Blanc de Blancs will carry the Royal Slope appellation in future vintages. (10.5% alcohol)

  Stephen Tanzer. Tasting date: June 2018