The Hedonistic Taster| Schug Winery 2012 Brut Carneros Rouge De Noirs Pinot Noir Sparkling Wine

The Hedonistic Taster | Schug Winery

2012 Brut Carneros Rouge de Noirs Pinot Noir Sparkling Wine

by L.M. Archer, FWS | Bourgogne ML

“Wine should not be regarded simply as a beverage, but as an art of living, a pleasure.” – Henri Jayer

Welcome to The Hedonistic Taster, a binNotes | redThread™ trade sampling of artisan wines.

The title derives from the term ‘hedonistic tasting,’ coined by legendary Burgundian vigneron Henri Jayer.

The Hedonistic Taster allows me the opportunity to introduce you to some gorgeous pours through this intimate tasting format.

Santé!

Today’s Tasting:

Schug Winery | 2012 Brut Carneros Rouge de Noirs

Pinot Noir Sparkling Wine

My recent interview at Schug Winery included a sumptuous, California-cuisine style wine-pairing luncheon featuring fresh estate-grown fruits and vegetables served up with superb local shrimp for the first course, grilled salmon for the second, and toothsome desserts for the finish, all painstakingly prepared by chef de cuisine Kristine Schug.

One wine Axel Schug served alone, sans food.

This wine.

A wine that demands attention. One of those wines you don’t want to share with others, but must. Read my exclusive interview with Axel Schug and wine maker Michael Cox here.

Wine: Schug Winery Brut Carneros Rouge de Noirs – Pinot Noir Sparkling Wine.

Vintage: 2012

Alcohol: 12%

Suggested Retail: $35

Specs:
Cuvée: 100% Carneros Pinot Noir, Ricci Vineyard K3 Block

Harvest Date: August 31, 2012

Sugar at Harvest: 18.3 degrees Brix.

Fermentation: Three (3) days cold soak skin contact, then full saignée of tank with no pressing. Free-run juice then cold-fermented in stainless-steel tank, with second fermentation in bottle, methode traditionelle.

Tirage and Disgorging: 24 months en tirage (on the yeast); disgorged in June 2015.

Dosage: .03/g/100ml. sugar dosage; total residual sugar = 0.38 g/100ml.

Production: 431 cases.

Release Date: February 1, 2016.

TASTING NOTES:

Robe: Translucent cranberry/strawberry robe.

Texture: Highly refined pearling.

Palate: The driest sparkling wine I’ve tried to date. Not at all off-putting.

A wine for those who want to move outside their comfort zones, and find a happy place waiting on the other side.

Suggested Pairings: Pair this with an organic watermelon and blueberry salad with fresh mint. Divine.