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2000 Carneros Cuvée
The Carneros Cuvée is our Tête de Cuvée. It represents the best fruit from our 335 acres of estate vineyards as well as our winemaking expertise in the art of blending. This special Cuvée is only produced in a select vintage year. Our 2000 vintage is a blend of (55%) Pinot Noir and (45%) Chardonnay, offering a synthesis of effusive ripe fruit expression with superb structure and finesse. With 10 years en tirage and a minimum of 6 months on the cork, this decade-old wine is remarkably fresh, rich and complex and represents the ultimate statement of our house style.
Tasting Notes
A complex, effusive nose offers ripe apple and rich Asian pear aromas interlaced with bright berry notes, hints of marzipan and biscuity, toasty yeast tones. On the palate, this wine is creamy, plush and remarkably fresh, with layers of lemon curd, baked apple, vanilla and pear flavors intermingling in a very elegant, vibrant and enduring finish.
Winemaking Notes
The 2000 vintage in Carneros began with near perfect growing conditions. Spring temperatures were normal with trace amounts of rainfall during bloom that was ideal for fruit set and yields. Almost perfect weather resulted in high cluster counts for the first time since 1997.
• 100% Carneros appellation hand-picked fruit
• Grapes were whole-cluster pressed to minimize extraction of bitter compounds
• The cuvée was made exclusively from free-run juice
• The base wines were fermented in stainless steel tanks at 60°F to preserve delicacy
• Twelve base wines were carefully blended to create the final cuvée
• The wine was aged nine years on the yeast to develop very complex flavors and a pinpoint mousse
• Bottle tags have handwritten Tiraged and Disgorged dates
• Tiraged March 7th and May 18th 2001
• Disgorged March 15th and March 23rd 2011
Acclaim
97 POINTS
- Wilfred Wong, December 2011
95 POINTS
"The winery held back this brutstyle
wine for eleven years. Even at this great age, the wine tastes young and vibrant in acidity, with rich strawberry, orange, lime and yeast flavors, finished with sweet vanilla. Tastes beautiful now, but extraordinary as it is, it should gain traction over the next ten years."
- Wine Enthusiast Magazine, December 15, 2011
90 POINTS
"Lush and elegant, with baked apple tart aromas and complex, layered flavors of Asian pear, cinnamon and lemon custard. Drink now through 2014."
- Wine Spectator Insider, October 19, 2011
TOP 100 WINES
"This long-aged reserve bottle from Ferrer shows its commitment to the potential of Carneros. After a full decade on its lees, this is simultaneously opulent and precise. Aromas of citrus pith, thyme, pear skin and yeast underscore remarkable youth for a 10-year-old wine."
- San Francisco Chronicle, Top 100 Wines 2011
Food Affinities
Great pairing with any type of seafood, from raw oysters or sashimi to cracked crab, caviar, steamed mussels, smoked salmon and lobster. Also excellent with cream based risotto, roast chicken and the complex delicacy of artisan goat cheese. Seasoning affinities include lemon zest, toasted pine nuts and sweet fennel.
Analysis
Blend: 55% Pinot Noir, 45% Chardonnay
