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2004 Royal Cuvée
Our Royal Cuvée is a prestige bottling that showcases the superb quality of the grapes grown on our 335-acre estate vineyard in Carneros. The structure and mouthfeel of this wine have evolved over successive vintages as these impressive vineyard blocks have matured. Made only from the first pressing of hand-picked grapes, this classic Brut blend of two-thirds Pinot Noir and one-third Chardonnay offers the delicacy and exuberance of perfectly ripe fruit well-integrated with complexities derived from over five years of aging on the yeast.
The inaugural vintage of "Royal Cuvée" was first served to King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofia of Spain, during their visit to California in 1987.
Tasting Notes
Ripe stone fruit medley and citrus intermingle with toast, butter and yeasty aromas on the nose of this well-developed yet vibrantly fresh sparkling wine. Creamy textures with hints of butterscotch and almonds support delicious flavors of pears, apples and lemons. The elegantly structured and long creamy finish is simply irresistible.
Winemaking Notes
2004 harvest conditions began with an early bud break, which in turn led to consistently warm, but not hot conditions throughout the summer months. Several heat spikes alongside a general warming trend later in the season provided for an early harvest, with lower-than-average yields and excellent fruit quality. The resultant wines have a broad range of flavors alongside the equilibrium so inherent to grapes grown in the Carneros.
• The cuvée was made exclusively with free-run juice
• Grapes were whole-cluster pressed to minimize extraction of bitter compounds
• Base wines were fermented in stainless steel tanks at 60°F to preserve delicacy
• Sixteen base wines were carefully blended to create the final cuvée
• The wine was aged for more than five years on the yeast
Acclaim
2004 VINTAGE
"Make your mother feel like a queen with this sparkling wine, whose first vintage was served to the King and Queen of Spain when they visited California in 1987. The 2004 vintage is a blend of two-thirds Pinot Noir and one-third Chardonnay grown on the winery's estate vineyard in the Carneros region of Napa Valley. On the nose, it offers a bouquet of peach and toast. In the mouth, it reveals apple and pear flavors with a hint of butterscotch."
- Gayot, "Top 10 Mother's Day Wines", April 2012
2002 VINTAGE, CRITICS PLATINUM
"A biscuit-like, baked brioche bouquet enhances a clean, crisp, and very long wine, with real complexity. Extremely compelling!"
- Paul Lukacs, 2010 Critics Challenge Wine Tasting Competition
2002 VINTAGE, 93 POINTS
"Gloria Ferrer holds this vintage brut back for many years before release, to the consumer’s benefit. The ’02 is rich and complex and beautiful now, although
it has years remaining to its useful life. Shows flavors of limes, raspberries, brioche, tangerine zest,
vanilla, yeasty bread dough and honeysuckle. An elegant, dry bubbly of enormous charm."
- Wine Enthusiast, Best of the Year Issue 2009
Awards
2002 VINTAGE, 2011 Gold Medals
Sommelier Challenge - Best of Show Sparkling
San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition - Double Gold
Winemaker Challenge International Wine Competition
Florida State Fair - Double Gold
Grand Harvest Awards
Monterey Wine Competition
Food Affinities
This wine pairs beautifully with a wide variety of appetizers ranging from toasted almonds and marinated olives to fried calamari or seared scallops. Enjoy it with Brie or aged Gouda cheese, steamed mussels and delicate cream based fish and chicken entrées. Seasoning affinities include citrus peel and tarragon.
Analysis
Blend: 67% Pinot Noir 33% Chardonnay
