Argyle Extended Tirage Brut 2001

Honeysuckle, brioche, and honey drizzled chevre on warm toasted artisan bread are the first things to hit you on the nose of this ten year old bubbly. The next thing that grabs you about this straw colored beauty is how amazingly fine the mousse is. I have never seen an Argyle sparkling wine, with such delicate, tiny bubbles. That delicacy dances across the palate just like the old monk said, "I am drinking the stars!" Age has brought this wine amazingly rich flavors of vanilla bean, crème brûlée, persimmon, and baked pear with delicate hints of licorice, peach, and spun sugar. It's astounding that a flavor profile can be so creamy yet have such a defined thread of acidity woven through it, but this wine does, finishing with the clean acidity of a perfect sparkler.

Blend: 52% Chardonnay, 45% Pinot Noir, 3% Pinot Meunier