Schramsberg, Blanc de Blanc, California, 1998
Price $29.50
Rating 92

A sniff offers an earthy, flinty nose, toasted and with hints of wheat toast. The bountiful sip brings forth apricot, citrus, and a rich mouthfeel.

"From the inception of our efforts in 1965, we have sought to achieve the greatest elegance and individuality possible in our (wines)," proclaims winemaker Hugh Davies, "and we wanted to go beyond the perception of champagne styled-wine as a wine that is not serious and create wines of great character. We wanted to create softness, not aggressiveness, richness, not simplicity." This wine is full of subtle complexity.

Schramsberg has a history of being the precise wine for important diplomacy as well as great dining. Try the Shramsberg Blanc de Blanc with potently seared Dover sole drenched in browned butter and bright squeezes of citrus. For the money, this is one of the most elegant bubblies produced in America.

Schramsberg, Blanc de Noir, Napa 1997
Price $29.50
Rating 91

Clink your glass in a toast and take in the earthy, flinty nose. The joyous sip presents creamy but austere raspberry, this bubbly is indeed elegant, trailing out with delicate citrus notes during its long, impressive length. Rich and creamy.

"What are the elements needed to make such wines?" asks winemaker Hugh Davies, "Extensive care is used in blending; forty-to-fifty lots that are skimmed and garnered to create the whole. Wine grapes from the finest vineyards of the Napa Valley, grown by the finest growers, handpicked and nurtured at every step. Fermentation in both oak barrels and stainless tanks, malolactic grace notes. Then, aging in our mountain cellars for over five years."

Enjoy the Schramsberg Blanc de Noir with lusty lobster, drawn butter nearby.
Sprinkle some freshly chopped herbs from the garden upon the lobster and study the combined food and wine complexities.

Schramsberg Reserve, California, 1995
Price $50
Rating 93

Visualize subtle pineapple, grapefruit and a hint of balsamic in the effervescent lilt. Tip the glass and take in elements of toasted seven-grain bread with a dab of tropical/citrus maramalade, limestone, toasted almond, citrus peel followed by a complex conclusion.

"The Schramsberg Reserve is our top pinot noir based Cuvée; a white wine gently made from red grapes," explains winemaker Hugh Davies, "that represents 2-4% of our annual production, this richly flavored and full-bodied sparkling wine is made from only the finest base wine lots each year. Six years old upon release, this fruitful, creamy bubbly will age gracefully for ten or more years to come."

The Schramsberg Reserve is well suited for service with main courses, especially veal tenderloin and roast duck, or with heavier fish such as sea bass. Who says the entree requires red wine? Try it with smoked oysters, caviar, or fried shrimp cakes.

Schramsberg Cremant, Napa 1998
Price $29.50
Rating 92

This wine, by definition, is a tad sweeter than the norm. Imagine steeped plums. A sip explodes with a rock candy nuance, not overly sweet but possesses a similar charm. There is dried and candied cherry, angelca, and delicate
honey. This bubbly is sophisticated and seductive.

The Schramsberg Cremant goes with subtle desserts, not cloyingly sweet. For decadance, try this wine with lusty goose liver seared with a few drops of balsamic vinegar. For more information, go to www.schramsberg.com.