Argyle’s Extended Tirage Brut scores 95 points… again!

Posted on October 27, 2009

Great news! We just found out that our 10-year-aged 1999 Extended Tirage Brut has been given a Wine Spectator score of 95!

This is the third year in a row that the Extended Tirage Brut has topped the charts for highest rated sparkling wine ever produced in the United States!

Wine Spectator says:
“Elegant, with very fine bubbles and complex spice, coffee, pear and toast aromas and flavors that are poised against lacy acidity and refined structure, letting the flavors sail on and on with finesse. Drink now.” – Harvey Steiman

1999 Extended Tirage Brut Tasting Notes
Welcome back to the New Millennium! Here’s your chance to get it right (or better) a second time! I bet we all remember what we were up to in 1999. This is a late harvested beauty of a sparkling wine. The aromas are complex, yet fresh and leap out of the flute. Look for fresh and baked pear, juicy red apple, and hints of bright citrus fruit like Meyer lemon and grapefruit. Ten years of aging has imparted aromas of freshly roasted hazelnut, citrus peel, lovely vanilla blossom and honey spice. Rounding out these scents are touches of yeasty goodness from Pain de campagne and fresh-baked biscuit. The flavor is especially rich and creamy with lemon/grapefruit citrus, Anjou pear and Cameo apple fruit. Melon and vanilla spice lay upon a stony mineral structure. The finish is fresh baguette and caramelized sugar creaminess that is long, vibrant, and shows the added persistence that late harvested (October/November) Chardonnay and Pinot Noir can bring.

Video Clip: Pinot Noir Punchdown

Posted on October 16, 2009

Here’s a quick video clip showing a few of our crew members engaging in punchdown of some recently picked Pinot Noir grapes.

Winemaking Progress: Pinot Noir Punchdown

Posted on October 15, 2009

Great news, folks! Punchdown of Pinot Noir is in full swing. Dozens of 1.5 ton bins are being punched down daily, prepping some awesome Pinot Noir for you. Enjoy some recent photos. We’ll have more posted soon.