2015 J. Schram Noirs Magnum
98 points · Wine Enthusiast, May 2025
- 8years on the yeast
- 7g/L dosage · Brut
- 12.8%alcohol
- 41%barrel fermented
- 1,765cases made
About this wine
Our magnum size (1.5 L) of our 2015 J. Schram Noirs.
The Schramsberg team and the Davies Family is thrilled to release the third bottling of J. Schram Noirs, our finest Pinot Noir brut offering. Labeled as the Schramsberg Reserve for decades, we started bottling our special limited Noirs blend in the J. Schram proprietary glass with the 2013 vintage. We now offer our ultimate sparkling wine tier with three selections: Blancs, Rosé, and Noirs. Representing 2% of our annual production, this richly flavored and full-bodied sparkler is made from only the finest base-wine lots produced each year. We release this finished sparkling wine nine years after the grapes are harvested, yet this fruitful, dry, toasty and creamy bubbly will age gracefully for decades to come.
Though primarily Pinot Noir, small amounts of select Chardonnay lots are added to the blend to lend additional backbone and length to the palate. Distinct barrel and malolactic fermented lots are also layered in to provide viscosity and depth. Each bottle is aged in contact with its yeast in our historic Diamond Mountain hillside caves for eight years, affording the development of seasoned, roasted and caramelized richness. The yeast is then removed and a finishing dosage, determined through extensive and comprehensive trials, is added to fine-tune the wines balance of flavor and structure.
J. Schram Noirs is well-suited with a main course, such as fruit-stuffed veal, pork tenderloin, roast duck with mango, cedar-plank grilled salmon, and curried chicken salad. This flavorful sparkling wine can also be served as an apéritif with smoked oysters, caviar and such hard cheeses as aged Swiss Sbrinz, Sonoma Vella Jack, or Irish Coolea.
2015 delivered California vintners a stellar vintage. A mild winter led to an early bud break and was followed by a protracted bloom during an unseasonably cool spring. The resulting lighter crop ripened gradually through moderate summer heat, delivering exceptional quality and an early harvest.
Tasting notes
What the critics say
- 98points
Slightly oxidized with age, this bubbly offers aromas of apple cider, pear cider, yellow plum and saline notes on the nose. The midpalate brings tiny persistent bubbles and medium-firm mousse. Flavors of tangerine, kiwi, sweet tart and umami wrap around orchard fruits. The wine has ample vibrant energy and texture to carry a meal from start to finish.
Wine Enthusiast, May 2025 - 94points
Opulent and almost extravagant in style, with rich flavors of baked apple and Asian pear accented by cherry, brioche, roasted hazelnut and toasty spices that linger on the crisp finish.
Wine Spectator, February 2025
