The famed house of Champagne Tattinger in Reims, France is the principal owner of this estate. Eileen Crane was the CEO and founding winemaker of Domaine Carneros. She was chosen in 1987 by owner Claude Taittinger to build the winery and grow the brand. Her greatest accomplishment is creating and maintaining Le Reve, the Tête de cuvée frequently named America’s Best Sparkling Wine. Le Reve, which means “the dream” in French, is the winery’s cherished Blanc de Blanc style sparkling wine produced from 100% estate fruit in Carneros. Today, the winery is under the astute guidance of Remi Cohn.

This 100% estate Chardonnay is medium yellow sparkling wine has a persistent fine mousse with fresh buttered bread aromas and field flowers. It opens with bursts of white stone fruits, lemon meringue and a touch of vanilla foam and marzipan. It continues to be enormously complex and vibrant throughout it’s lengthy rich finish.

By W Peter Hoyne