2018 Sea Smoke Sea Spray Blanc de Noirs
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Tasting notes
From the monopole Sea Smoke Estate vineyard. Selected clusters of Sta Rita Hills Pinot Noir were chilled overnight and then direct-pressed to steel tanks, where fermentation begins. Moved to neutral French oak barrels to complete fermentation and aged for a year before 36 months of bottle-ageing on the lees. Zero dosage. Aged an additional 10 months under cork before release. Light-to-medium bronze-gold with medium-fine bubbles. Aromas of salty butterscotch, baked apples and a hint of sea air. Flavours of dried apple and dried lemon peel are borne on a light mousse along with flavours of seawater, toasted sourdough and grapefruit oil. There's a hint of nut skin that lingers in the finish. Excellent acidity and a nice patina overall. (AY)
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Jancis Robinson MW
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
Lots of strawberry and brioche with sea salt and iron aromas that follow through to a full body with depth and fine bubbled texture. Lovely fruit. 10 months in barrel and three years on the lees. No dosage. Very dry. Drink or hold.