Schramsberg Methode Champenoise North Coast Blanc de Blancs 2022
(North Coast, California) - [WS 92]

Notes from the Winemaker:
Blanc de Blancs (white from white), made from Chardonnay, is the counterpart to the Blanc de Noirs (white from black), made from Pinot Noir. Blanc de Blancs was the first wine Schramsberg produced in 1965 and was Americas first commercially produced Chardonnay-based brut sparkling wine. Schramsberg Blanc de Blancs gained international recognition in 1972 when then President Nixon served the wine at the historic "Toast to Peace" in Beijing, China.

The Schramsberg style of Blanc de Blancs is dry and crisp. Small lots of malolactic- and barrel-fermented wines are added for complexity. The wine is aged on the yeast lees in the bottle for over two years prior to disgorgement. With its vibrant, fruitful and crisp nature, this sparkling wine will maintain its freshness, structure and refined finish for many years, even decades following its initial release.

While this wine can be enjoyed by itself as an apéritif, it is also perfect with fresh oysters and other shellfish, crab cakes, ceviche and grilled sea bass. It is also delicious with lemon chicken and Thai curries. Serve with aged Gouda or other hard cheeses, and as a counterpoint to soft triple creams.

Tasting Notes:
The 2022 growing season was marked by drought, warm temperatures, and both an early and accelerated harvest. Despite the challenges, the lower yields resulted in concentrated fruit with expressive flavors. Sonomas fruit showcased refined aromatics and crisp balance and Carneros fruit produced structured wines with depth. Small lots from Mendocino and Marin added intensity with bright citrus notes. This North Coast vintage balances ripeness with freshness, delivering sparkling wines of great precision, depth, and character.

Our 2022 Blanc de Blancs has lifted aromas of green apple, apple tart, and apple custard, intermingled with tangerine and lemon-lime. Its vibrant flavors of fresh grapefruit, golden apple and white peach bring drive to the mid-palate, leading to a clean finish with notes of vanilla chiffon and a hint of ginger.

Ratings & Reviews

92 Points - Wine Spectator:
"Dynamic and fragrant, offering lemon blossom, orange peel and blanched almond flavors. Finishes on a vibrant, fresh accent. Drink now." - Tim Fish (Aug 2025)

95 Points - Wine Enthusiast (2021 Vintage):
It is the 57th bottling of these bubbles. I hope you pick one up to enjoy. This wine is bright, with aromas of Golden Delicious apple, orange blossom, acacia honey and mineral on the nose. Flavors are of baked Bosc pear, mandarin orange, fresh walnut, toasted brioche and kaffir lime. The wine offers a subtle, creamy mousse, with a long, lifted and dry finish. — Tonya Pitts