Winemaker Notes
Sinnet's Russian River Blanc de Blancs 2021 showcases vibrant citrus zest and crisp green apple, layered with delicate brioche and toasted hazelnut nuances from extended lees aging. The anticipation from the ethereal bouquet is exceeded by the balance of a creamy, fine-bubbled mousse with a core of crisp minerality, balancing bright acidity with subtle yeast-derived complexity. The palate reveals lemon curd and pear, evolving into a lingering finish of pastry cream and wet stone.
Equally suited as an aperitif with oysters and caviar or paired to your favorite fried chicken for a dinner you will always remember.
Professional Ratings
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Decanter
The Sinnet Blanc de Blancs is a vintage-dated 2021 sparkling wine from the Russian River Valley, crafted in the méthode traditionnelle. Fragrant citrus aromatics are lifted by high-toned wild herb notes, building into a medium-bodied richness on the palate with apricot fruit, marmalade, grapefruit zest, and a touch of marzipan. Made from 100% Chardonnay, it was aged for three years on the lees, with a dosage of 6 g/L.
Representing the topmost expression of a Champagne house, a vintage Champagne is one made from the produce of a single, superior harvest year. Vintage Champagnes account for a mere 5% of total Champagne production and are produced about three times in a decade. Champagne is typically made as a blend of multiple years in order to preserve the house style; these will have non-vintage, or simply, NV on the label. The term, "vintage," as it applies to all wine, simply means a single harvest year.
A standout region for its decidedly Californian take on Burgundian varieties, the Russian River Valley is named for the eponymous river that flows through it. While there are warm pockets of the AVA, it is mostly a cool-climate growing region thanks to breezes and fog from the nearby Pacific Ocean.
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir reign supreme in Russian River, with the best examples demonstrating a unique combination of richness and restraint. The cool weather makes Russian River an ideal AVA for sparkling wine production, utilizing the aforementioned varieties. Zinfandel also performs exceptionally well here. Within the Russian River Valley lie the smaller appellations of Chalk Hill and Green Valley. The former, farther from the ocean, is relatively warm, with a focus on red and white Bordeaux varieties. The latter is the coolest, foggiest parcel of the Russian River Valley and is responsible for outstanding Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.