Once in a while, you get lucky and open something extraordinary on a special occasion. This 11-year-old sparkling wine met the moment and then some. Fresh as the day is long, the wine reveals bright fruit, vibrant acidity, and complex flavors of tree fruit and a toasty brioche on the palate. It finishes long, clean, and crisp. I rate this wine as exceptional in its class. Tip of the hat to winemaker Kate Payne Brown for selecting this wine for review.
I love this classic blend of fruit – 65% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay, and 5% Pinot Meunier – all 100% estate-grown. But aging is what makes this wine exceptional. Argyle is a pioneer of traditional method sparkling wine production in the Willamette Valley. They were instrumental in making sparkling wine a serious category. Their commitment to an extended tirage program of 10 years puts this wine in a class all its own. And at only 12.5% alcohol, pairing options are endless.
Read winemaker Kate’s Wine Characters interview and learn why she chose the Extended Tirage as most emblematic of the Argyle brand.