Wine By Nine

Vintage by Dom. Ste. Michelle from Columbia Valley, Washington. Luxe is a very delicate Blanc de Blancs sparkling wine crafted in the time-honored methode champenoise tradition. As in Champagne, only free run juice is used which results in extremely delicate flavors. For the 1999 vintage, juice was feremted in French oak after inoculation and aged for 12 months to build layers of flavor and creaminess. The second fermentation in the bottle lasted 20 weeks and then the wine was aged for 3.5 years for added complexity. Even in the glass this sparkling wine will tempt you - a beautiful very pale yellow sparkler with loads of tiny bubbles promises good things to come. Enticing aromas of grapefruit, lemon and pear fill the nose. On the palate tropical pineapple notes are complimented with subtle hints of ginger and a creamy soft mouthfeel. Mmmmm?. -- Rick Casqueiro, Winemaker