Wine Spectator - September 10th, 2008
SCHRAMSBERG J. Schram North Coast 2001 Score: 92 | $100
A bold, rich style, with aromas of yeasty cinnamon roll and ripe golden apple, backing it up with refinement and structure. Flavors of Asian pear, with hints of lime and fresh ginger, linger awhile. Drink now through 2014. 1,017 cases made. —T.F.
SCHRAMSBERG Reserve North Coast 2001 Score: 91 | $90
Shows substance and refinement, with rich aromas of baked pear, fresh ginger and spicy toast. The flavors are rich and full-bodied, with lingering notes of hazelnut, vanilla cream and cinnamon. Drink now through 2012. 1,116 cases made. —T.F.
In a tasting of ten of the finest French Champagnes and California sparkling wines, Schramsberg had two of the three top spots in the educational event conducted for 21 Masters of Wine (MW) and MW students. The tasting was organized by Peter Marks MW, director of wine at COPIA, the American Center for Wine, Food & the Arts. (It was not an official event of the Institute of Masters of Wine.) The winning wine was the 1999 Schramsberg J. Schram, second was the 1998 Perrier-Jouët Fleur de Champagne and third place went to the 1999 Schramsberg Reserve. The other wines tasted were: 1997 Bollinger La Grande Année, 1999 Mumm Napa DVX, 1999 Louis Roederer Cristal, 1999 Roederer Estate L'Ermitage, 1998 Moët et Chandon Cuvée Dom Pérignon, NV Krug Grande Cuvée and 1999 Domaine Carneros Le Rêve. The event was staged with the most objectivity possible. The tasters did not know the wines they were scoring, only that they were among the best selling of the French Champagnes and California sparkling wines in the tête du cuvée, or the highest quality (and expensive) category. The event was part of an educational seminar on California sparkling wines that was held at Schramsberg Vineyards.
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