rating B

standout 50-year California outpost of Moët et Chandon

about established in 1973 just as California wine was about to explode. 650ha now owned, mostly in Carneros but also in Central Valley and on the Yountville property (Cabernet Sauvingon now also made). The commercially available wines are of good standard, but it is the winery exclusive wines which are of more interest—access to those is limited to visitors and wine club members.

wines tasted

Réserve Blanc de Blancs ($45)

All Chardonnay from Carneros. Three years lees ageing. Richness balanced by lively acidity.

Etoile Rosé NV ($85)

Mostly Chardonnay, with a small amount of Pinot Noir for barely discernible colour. Aged for five years. This used to be exclusive to the Chandon restaurant, which is now closed. Still limited release. Nice depth and fruitiness to the wine—understandably one of Chandon’s most popular.

Barrel Fermented Blanc de Blancs NV ($45)

The only Chandon wine to see any oak, solely during fermentation, which gives the wine weight and roundness while lively acidity lends freshness. A wine that convinces that barrel fermentation for sparkling wine produces wines with greater heft.

Yountville Brut 2016 ($60)

Although based in Yountville, most of the fruit for Chandon comes from Carneros. This wine is an exception, all the wine made from the Yountville vineyards. 50/50 Chardonnay/Pinot Noir, aged for just over four years on the lees. A riper, fuller style, but still with enough acidity for a fresh style.

Garden Spritz Tea NV ($42)

Highly unusual sparkling wine which is quite tasty. The dosage is made from in-house cold-brewed Darjeeling, Ceylon, and Assam teas infused with bergamot oil. It may sound like a gimmick, but it tastes like a gently aromatised sparkling wine. And it works: it’s Domaine Chandon’s most popular wine, rising from an initial 300 case production to 3,000, and sells out at the winery almost immediately.

Garden Spritz (Argentina) ($32)

Tasted at the California winery, but made at the Mendoza facility in Argentina. Infused with amargo, chamomile, cardamom, and black peppers. Essentially a pre-made Aperol spritz, to which gin can be added for extra heat in a cocktail. Quite fun if you like a bitter edge.

website https://www.chandon.com/en-US/

email clubchandonwine@chandon.com

phone +1 888-242-6366

address 1 California Drive, Yountville