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What We Say Brut Prestige Extended Tirage
SUPERIOR WINE ALERT!:
WORLDWIDE EXCLUSIVE ALERT!:
SECRET SAVINGS ALERT!:
Mission Codename: Surly? No, Sur Lee!
Operative: Agent Red
Objective: Send Agent Red back to Mumm Napa to procure a the latest release of Mumm’s extraordinary Reserve Brut Extended Tirage, winery-only sparkling wine.
Mission Status: Accomplished!
Current Winery: Mumm Napa
Wine Subject: NV Napa Reserve Brut Extended Tirage
Winemaker: Ludovic Dervin
Backgrounder: For today’s selection, we sent Agent Red to our dear friends at Mumm Napa, in search of another exclusive sparkling wine. He returned, triumphant, with the latest release of their very special Extended Tirage Brut Reserve, which was aged, sur lee (on the yeast), for one year longer than their standard Brut. With this added aging, the wine takes on a decidedly more complex and rich character.
Made from grapes that are hand-picked, exclusively at night, this blend of 53% Pinot Noir,
42% Chardonnay, 3% Pinot Meunier and 2% Pinot Gris contains all four sparkling wine varietals.
Wine Spies Tasting Profile:
Look – Rose gold hues support a steady cascade of some of the smallest bubbles we have ever seen in a sparkling wine! These bubble rise continuously, even after a glass has been sitting for a long time.
Smell – White peach and vanilla meld with a softly coppery note, out front. As you inhale the wine more deeply, yeasty bread dough, citrus and Granny Smith are revealed.
Feel – Soft and full, with a lovely mousse that expands slightly on entry. Across the mid-palate, the small bubbles help to introduce a bright, creamy, plump acidity that enhance the flavors of the wine, as it spreads further around the mouth.
Taste – Fresh green fig, fresh-baked white bread, yeasty dough, green apple, lemon tart and citrus, with a hint of copper and a hint of cherry pastry at the very end.
Finish – Long and filled with flavor, this bubbly lingers longer than most. Citrus and fig give way to soft copper and cherry pastry. Then, mysteriously, citrus makes a big return and then tails off gradually.
Conclusion – We loved the previous release of this wine, which we showed back in January of 2009. This new release shows even more elegance and more complex flavors than its predecessor. The lush feel of the wine supports the layers of flavors, which are inviting, delicious and interesting. Ready to drink now, our sources also tell us that this wine has real aging potential. Available only at the wine winery, year round, we are thrilled to be the only wine merchant to make it available outside of the winery – today only. Delicious any time and with any occasion, be sure to purchase enough to last you until the next release of this exceptional sparkling wine.
Mission Report:
WINEMAKER INTERVIEW
AGENT RED: Please tell me a little bit about the wine we are featuring today.
LUDOVIC: This wine is our way to showcase the characteristics of extended aging on the lees. It is a blend of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, with small percentages of Pinot Meunier and Pinot Gris, all hand picked in Napa Valley. The additional time spent on the lees adds complexity, creaminess and biscuity notes that only develop as the yeast cells break down over time while integrated in the wine during second fermentation. These are the qualities that give the wine its balance and dimension. This wine is drinking really well right now and I expect it to cellar well for the next five years.
RED: What is your favorite pairing with today’s wine?
LUDOVIC: We recently featured this wine in a winemaker reception with an assortment of hors d’ouevres including brie en croute, crab dip, stuffed mushrooms and goat cheese with fig balsamic on crostini and everyone went wild. It was a clear winner.
RED: In your opinion, what makes the Carneros District so special?
LUDOVIC: The Carneros District, with its cool evenings, foggy mornings and warm days, provides the best climate around for producing the best Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes. When we go out tasting the grapes, we’re looking for even ripening, while maintaining high acidity and moderate sugar levels. These qualities are what create elegant, ageable sparkling wines that we can enjoy through the years.
RED: What is occupying your time at the winery these days?
LUDOVIC: We are busy tasting all the individual lots from the 2010 harvest and creating the blends for the 2010 vintage wines. We’re also working on our ISO annual visit, that we’ve had the last three years since our certification. We’re proud to be the first winery in Napa Valley to be ISO certified in Quality, Environmental and Safety. We’re also keeping our employees safe on the roads with all this unusual weather and snow around the valley.
RED: Thank you so much for your time. We learned a lot about you and
your wine. Keep up the great work, we are big fans!
Wine Spies Vineyard Check:
The gorgeous Rutherford, California location of the Mumm Napa winery and vineyards can be seen in this satellite photo.
What the Winery Says
Mumm Napa Valley
Mumm Napa Valley, Member, Napa Valley Vintners
About This Wine:
The Brut Prestige Extended Tirage sparkling wine is based on the Mumm Napa Brut Prestige, but left “sur lee” (meaning “on the yeast”) one year longer for added richness. During this time, the cell walls of the yeast break down in a process called autolysis, which yields creamy textures and flavors. This blend was created with a higher percentage of white grapes over red grapes, making it the perfect candidate for a longer tirage.
Technique:
Grapes are picked mainly at night—exclusively by hand—and delivered to the winery in signature “small yellow boxes.” at the winery, fruit is hand-delivered to the presses and slowly de-juiced at low pressure, with the four press fractions kept separate. low-temperature primary fermentation—mostly in stainless steel—is utilized to enhance fruit tones and preserve freshness. Individual lots are kept separate during initial fermentation to fully express the vineyards’ individual strengths and subtleties.
Wines are blended in winter and bottled in spring for the second bottle fermentation. for this Brut prestige extended tirage bottling, the wine was aged on its fermentation lees for two and a half years in our cellars before disgorging.
Profile:
One of the first things you will notice is a light vanilla aroma on the nose. the palate highlights favors of fresh bread dough, ripe apples, honey and fg, with an incredible foundation of citrus tones. firm acid and a crisp structure are balanced by rich, creamy qualities on lingering finish.
About The Winery:
The Wine Enthusiast Magazine calls Mumm Napa one of “America’s Best Tasting Rooms. How do you decide where to end the day in Napa Valley? Go to Mumm.”
Enjoy table service outside on the terrace, or taste in our glass-enclosed tasting salon – each offering stunning views of the surrounding Rutherford vineyards.
While you are here, take a guided tour of the winery, stroll through our Fine Art Photography Gallery or browse for exclusive Napa Valley items in our wine shop. Any way you look at it, a visit to Mumm Napa is the highlight of your Napa Valley experience.
About The Winemaker:
Winemaker Ludovic Dervin – In Summer 2002, Ludovic Dervin was named Winemaker at Mumm Napa. Ludo brings to the position extensive experience in both sparkling and still wine production, along with an exceptional working relationship with V.P. Winemaking and Operations Napa Valley, Rob McNeill.
Boasting a thorough understanding of méthode champenoise production, Dervin completed his winemaking studies in his native Champagne, France, His skills were then refined during several harvests with the prestigious Champagne houses Charles Heidseick and G.H. Mumm, as well as California’s Piper Sonoma, where he first worked with Rob McNeill. Prior to joining Mumm Napa, Ludo polished his non-bubbly winemaking skills at the world-renowned Russian River wineries, Hartford Court and Gary Farrell.
Technical Analysis:
Winemaker: Ludovic Dervin
Appellation: Napa Valley
Composition: 53% pinot noir, 42% chardonnay, 3% pinot meunier, 2% pinot Gris
Alcohol: 12.5%
T.A.: 9.0 g/l
pH: 3.06
Dosage: 1.1% (Brut)
