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Vintage by Schramsberg from California. J. Schram epitomizes Schramsberg's philosophy to create a wine in which no effort has been spared and no care has been omitted. Representing only 3% of the winery's annual production, the Chardonnay-focused J. Schram blend is assembled from the top 10-15 lots of the approximately 200 produced each year. This special bottling is dedicated to Schramsberg's founder of 1862, Jacob Schram, and has been a great success since its premier 1987 vintage was released in 1992. Blend: 80% Chardonnay, 20% Pinot Noir The 2000 J. Schram exhibits aromas of pineapple with melon and apple cider along with citrus notes of orange peel and lemon custard. Rich, creamy notes of creme brulee, fresh baked baguette and toasted nuts are derived from barrel fermentation and nearly 6 years of yeast aging. This voluptuous sparkling wine showcases the bright citrus and tangy, tropical fruit of the Tognetti and Schwartz Chardonnay vineyards along Bayview Avenure in southern Napa-Carneros. The addition of 20% Pinot Noir lends subtle red fruit aromas and gives breadth to both the nose and palate. A creamy yet refreshing wine, the 2000 J. Schram has a long, quenching, seamless finish. - Winemakers Hugh Davies and Craig Roemer J. Schram is quite appealing on its own as an aperitif or enjoyed with fresh shellfish, caviar, smoked salmon, tangy cheeses, seafood brochettes and risotto with prosciutto.

Vintage by Taittinger from Champagne, France - regions. Pale gold in color, with delicate strands of pinpoint bubbles, Taittinger Brut Millesime shows the elegance of the house style while expressing the individual character of its vintage year. The fragrant white fruit and berry nose is offset by nuances of toast and minerals which carry onto the crisp, full palate. Delicately structured yet generous fruit flavors, clearly marked by Chardonnay, are balanced by a clean, refined acidity culminating in a fresh, persistent finish.

Ros? by Delamotte from Champagne, France - regions. The balance between the dominant Pinot Noir and the smaller percentage of Chardonnay in the Delamotte Rose gives this wine its beautiful pale rose color. The wine has tiny bubbles with strong red fruit aromas and flavors. It is vivacious, supple and round with a hint of acidity. It makes a wonderful aperitif, as well as a good companion to poultry dishes or red fruit desserts.

Vintage by Veuve Clicquot from Champagne, France - regions. A blend of about twenty Premiers and Grands Crus, the Vintage has the power of Pinot Noir, balanced by the finesse and elegance of Chardonnay. It is the perfect expression of the House style, proving that champagne can be a great wine and, as such, makes a perfect accompaniment for many dishes, developing its qualities as the years go by. It goes well with spiny lobster prawns, scallops and sea fish as well as poultry and white meat. CHARACTERISTICS OF THE VINTAGE: A mild winter led to an early bud-break, and a hot month of May produced premature flowering. The first part of Summer had mixed weather, with alternating rain and hail interspersed with drier spells, and low temperatures for the season. The second, however, took on a southern accent, with a drought near to resembling a heat wave. The rain which preceded the harvests encouraged the grapes to ripen and produce a large and qualitative harvest. Components: The 1999 Vintage Reserve is comprided of 21 crus only, which are either Grands or Premiers Crus, from the Montagne de Reims, Grande Vallee de la Marne and Cote des Blanc areas. 55% Pinot Noir 12% Pinot Meunier 33% Chardonnay Pretty bouquet of orange peel, freshly buttered bread and light malt. Great balance and finesse with tart citrus and caramel flavors, and soft acid backing. Foamy notes in the close with a touch of spicy ginger in this well-integrated wine. -Wine News

Vintage by Veuve Clicquot from Champagne, France - regions. Blend: 60% Pinot Noir, 7% Pinot Meunier, 33% Chardonnay The 2002 vintage has a pale gold color with silver accents. It has a brilliant aspect and an effervescence that is lively and long-lasting. The nose is very open, pure and complex. The Chardonnay gives this wine a refined mineral flavor accompanied with pleasant flowery notes of acacia. Aerating the wine reveals hints of yellow-fleshed fruit and pastries (brioche, marzipan). These give way to delicately spicy aromas, followed by elegant notes of licorice and high-bred teas. In the mouth, the wine is silky and generous. The expectations promised by the nose are met and even exceeded as the complexity of this wine is superlative: simultaneously evoking fruity and floral, mineral and spicy notes, menthol and toast. This wine is quite simply dazzling with its wealth of aromas, and a deliciously long and powerful finish. This elegant vintage is already remarkably well-balanced, and it will continue to enchant the palate for at least 15 years. Meanwhile, this wine can accompany the most refined dishes. It is eminently suitable for the most original matches. Try it with bass tartare, poached turbot served on a bed of fresh pasta, or cappuccino of Bresse chicken with candied citrus fruits.

Vintage by Pol Roger from Champagne, France. Pol Roger, one of a few luxury Champagne firms still family-owned, was established in Epernay in 1849. Pol Roger owns 200 acres of vineyards, which provide about 45% of their needs. Pol Roger's cellars extend over four miles of winding chalk passageways on two levels. The second or deeper cellar maintains a constant 9.5? C (50? F), one degree lower than the first level and most others in the region. This lower temperature slows the second fermentation, encouraging a finer mousse or bubbles. Pol Roger Champagne also spends two to three times the allowable minimum in the cellar before disgorgement, or about three years for the non-vintage and up to seven for the luxury cuvees. The long, slow maturation contributes greatly to the complex aromas, which distinguish these superb Champagnes. The Vintage Brut follows the traditional formula for Pol Roger Vintage, being composed of about 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay drawn from 18 Grands and Premiers Crus. As always, the Pinot Noir contributes the intensity, backbone, tannins and body while the Chardonnay provides the fragrance, elegance, finesse essential to a perfect balance. Vintage Brut is only produced in declared vintage years.

Non-Vintage by Ruinart from Champagne, France - regions. The wine is a brilliant orange-yellow rose petal colour with a very fine, profuse and sustained mousse. The nose is characterized by small red berries, mainly currant. On the palate the wine is vigorous and well balanced. A fine, fresh, fruity wine with well-integrated tannins and a hint of spice on the lengthy finish. Ruinart Rose is produced from a blend of 55% Pinot Noir and 45% Chardonnay from the best of recent vintages. All of the fruit is from premiers crus vineyards. Grapes from the estate vineyards in Sillery and Brimont (ancestral home of the Ruinart family) are joined by carefully selected grapes from other premiers crus vineyards in the Cote de Blancs and the Montagne de Reims. The grapes for Ruinart are selected basket by basket at the source, and only the finest premiers crus are used.

Vintage by Piper Heidsieck from Champagne, France - regions. A luminous, golden celadon color. Fine bubbles for a gentle effervescence. Light mineral impressions are followed by subtle floral notes of fern and wild rose which leads to delicately fruity aromas of dry apricot and sultana raisins. This attractive mature wine reveals its elegant charm with a bouquet of sweet nougat, milk caramel and mint. The attack is fresh and youthful and is rapidly followed by a sensation of fullness. Notes of Mediterranean dried fruit, such as fig, are intertwined with elegant touches of Virginia tobacco and leather. The wine has a refreshing finish with a smooth hint of milky tea flavored with bergamot.

Vintage by Henriot from Champagne, France - regions. Brightly coloured with green tints. Fine, persistent bubbles. Rich and fresh on the nose. White fruit and flowers evolving towards mineral, spicy notes. Remarkably balanced on the palate. The attack is fresh and remarkably well balanced with a silky texture. Very pure and fine. This wine will be excellent as an aperitif and could also accompany refined fish dishes. Attractive aromas of cinnamon and apple butter. Lush and quite creamy with butterscotch, caramel and taffy apple flavors. Excellent length with a mix of toasted oak and brown spices. Drinking nicely right now. -Wine News

Non-Vintage by Ruinart from Champagne, France - regions. The wine shows a superb, golden yellow colour with a beautiful luminosity and a fine and persistent mousse. The nose is clean and intense with warm, rich notes of brioche, French toast and roasted almonds. On the palate the wine is very supple and harmonious, with notes of honey and minerals on the long, sustained finish. Ruinart Blanc de Blancs is produced from a blend of 100% premiers crus Chardonnay grapes from the best of recent vintages. Grapes from the estate vineyards in Sillery and Brimont (ancestral home of the Ruinart family) are joined by carefully selected grapes from other premiers crus vineyards in the Cote de Blancs and the Montagne de Reims.

Vintage by Deutz from Champagne, France - regions. Made exclusively from Pinot Noir, 80% of these grapes come from the Montagne de Reims area, and the remaining 20% come from the Marne Valley. The specific style and color is obtained by the addition of 9% of red wine, whose Pinot Noir grapes come from two plots on the A? hillside called La Cote and Meurtet, both that have perfect exposure. After 4 years aging in the Deutz cellars, its aromas have perfectly blended, and the Brut Rose has a very subtle nose and a palate that shows remarkable power.

Vintage by Henriot from Champagne, France - regions. Racy, elegant and harmonious from start to finish. Candied citrus, honey and hazelnut flavors play out on a silky texture, and all is backed by a firm but unobtrusive structure. Lovely expression of the vintage. Drink now through 2010. -Wine Spectator Highly Recommended Brightly coloured with green tints. Fine, persistent bubbles. Rich and fresh on the nose. White fruit and flowers evolving towards mineral, spicy notes. Remarkably balanced on the palate. The attack is fresh and remarkably well balanced with a silky texture. Very pure and fine. This wine will be excellent as an aperitif and could also accompany refined fish dishes.