2021 Blanc de Noirs Sparkling Wine
Made in the classic, time-honored process of Méthode Traditionnelle, this sparkling wine is classified as a brut cuvée.
Tasting Notes
The 2021 Blanc de Noirs showcases a beautiful golden hue revealing aromas of baked apple, poached pear, and crisp melon. The palate bursts with flavors of stone fruit interwoven with crème brûlée and a hint of roasted pecans. The bubbles elegantly marry the palate, accentuating the vibrant acidity for a luxurious mouthfeel and harmonious balance. Refined layers of brioche bread and marzipan unfold, leading to a crisp, refreshing finish.
Vineyard Designation
100% Estate Grown
Vintage Notes
The 2021 vintage will be recorded as one the warmest in Washington State history. With a mild winter and a warm spring, we saw bud break during the second week of April, about 1 to 2 weeks earlier than average. Then we experienced a heat wave in late June that lasted roughly six weeks with over 35 days of 100°+ temperatures and some daily highs nearing 118° Fahrenheit. This period of extreme heat began when the grapes were in a cluster and berry size development stage, causing grapes to stress out weeks before we vintners would prefer. Smaller berry size led to an overall 30% reduction in crop size for us. On the bright side, these smaller berries produced phenomenal flavors. We also saw rapid ripening at a pace last seen in 2015, creating a very early harvest start. By the end of August, we had brought in nearly 150 tons of sparkling wine grapes and Sauvignon Blanc grapes, hands down an August record for us at Airfield. By the end of September, we had crushed every white varietal, which benefited us in winemaking as we could give 100% of our attention to red varietals. October started with nice warm temperatures, and the pace of grape harvesting was going very well, with ideal ripeness and exceptional quality. By the third week of October, we did see several freezing events causing our canopies to die. With only a limited amount of fruit remaining, it was easy for us to harvest the last remaining fruit before the end of October. In the end, the 2021 vintage made outstanding wine. Our white wines showcase bright fruit aromas with brisk acidity. Our red wines display dark fruit elements with structure and finesse. The wines created in 2021 will be enjoyable in their youth but also age-worthy, making a lasting impression.
Winemaking Notes
Comprised of 88% Pinot Noir and 12% Pinot Meunier, the grapes were harvested and gently pressed as whole clusters. The juice was settled for four days before being racked off the solids and inoculated for alcoholic fermentation. The juice was fermented in stainless steel at cooler temperatures ranging from 60-62° Fahrenheit. Aged for approximately one month in stainless steel, the wine was then filtered and placed into bottles along with a secondary yeast and nutrients to allow for secondary fermentation in the bottle (a process referred to as triage). Every month for 13 months, the bottles were gently shaken to incorporate the yeast solids into the wine, a process called riddling. After 13 months, the bottles remained upside down for one month to allow all the solids to settle in the neck of the bottle. Next, it underwent a disgorgement ejecting the solids out of the bottle, then immediately afterward, we added our dosage of 7g/L before being topped and having the sparkling wine cork and cage be placed on the bottle.
Food Pairing
Sunday Brunch
Asparagus and Avocado Salad
Buttery Oysters or Poached Lobster Tail
Fried Chicken
Aged Gouda or Delice de Bourgogne
- Varietal Composition: 88% Pinot Noir, 12% Pinot Meunier
- Appellation: Yakima Valley
- Aging / Barrel Program: 13 month tirage
- Cases Produced: 657
- Alcohol: 12%
- pH: 3.26
- Acidity: 9.7 g/L
- RS: 0.7%
- Ageability: Enjoy now through 2033, with optimal maturity in 2030.