Domaine Saint Michelle "Luxe" 2000 |
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Lux (from which "Luxe" is derived) is the international unit of illumination. Because of the Columbia Valley's northerly latitude, our vineyards enjoy plenty of sunshine and extra long daylight hours, making "Luxe" the perfect name for this vintage sparkler. Luxe is a very delicate Blanc de Blancs sparkling wine crafted in the time-honored m?thode champenoise tradition. Fragrant citrus blossom, green apple and pear aromas are enhanced by fresh tropical fruit flavors on the palate. Creamy butterscotch and hints of hazelnut and ginger extend into the long finish. Loaded with a persistent column of small bubbles, this sparkler is sure to please." - Rick Casqueiro, Winemaker |
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Detailed Info, Previous Vintage Notes, Reviews: |
| What is Luxe? Luxe is the first vintage sparkling wine from Domaine Ste. Michelle. It is the product of diligence, discipline, and patience. Luxe is a hand-crafted wine blended for complexity, flavor and balance from one of the best cool climate Chardonnay vineyards in the Columbia Valley by veteran sparkling winemaker Rick Casqueiro. What does the name Luxe mean? The name Luxe is derived from the word "lux," which is defined as "a unit of illumination equal to 1 lumen per square meter." Sunlight/illumination is key to producing high quality grapes, because it enables grapes to ripen slowly and develop balanced fruit character with crisp acidity. Because of the Columbia Valley's northerly latitude, our vineyards enjoy plenty of sunshine and extra long daylight hours, making "Luxe" the perfect name for our new vintage sparkler. Who is the Luxe winemaker? Rick Casqueiro, winemaker Domaine Ste. Michelle since 1996. Working with Rick on the creation of Luxe is Michel Salgues, the internationally renowned winemaker formerly of Anderson Valley's Roederer Estates. Rick and Michel worked together determine the style and formulate the dosage of the inaugural vintage. The two will work in collaboration to craft future Luxe vintages as well. From which vineyard are the grapes sourced? Drawing on his knowledge of Columbia Valley vineyards from his work for Domaine Ste. Michelle, Rick designated his favorite Chardonnay site in the state as the primary vineyard for Luxe. Heily Vineyard is a mature, cool climate, hillside site with sandy, volcanic soils situated 1500' above sea level and is favored for its higher concentration of natural fruit acids, lower brix and pure varietal definition. How is Luxe made? Because gentle treatment of the grapes is paramount to quality, Luxe is hand-picked and carefully pressed to minimize juice contact with the skins. After primary fermentation in oak barrels and 9 - 10 months of sur lie aging, only the best lots are used to blend the base wine. Once the cuv?e is complete the wine is bottled and winemaker Rick Casqueiro adds liqueur de tirage to start a second fermentation. Luxe is then aged, sur lie, for 5 - 6 years for added complexity. Following aging, the lees are disgorged and a dosage is assembled to give the wine a soft middle palate and a balanced, refreshing after taste. After disgorging, Luxe is allowed to age 4 - 6 months prior to release. How is Luxe different from the other Domaine Ste. Michelle products? Luxe is a vintage-dated, handcrafted sparkling wine notable for its complex layers of flavor and balance achieved through careful vineyard selection, gentle handling and added vinification techniques. ò Chardonnay for Luxe is handpicked from a cool climate single vineyard site known for its balanced fruit and early ripening year after year. ò Luxe is cold-settled overnight prior to primary fermentation as an added step to reduce astringency in the wine from contact with solids. ò Luxe uses only free run juice or the "cuv?e press." This press is the "best of the best," prized by the sparkling winemaker for its low astringency. Its low pH and high natural fruit acid gives the wine its delicate balance ò Luxe undergoes primary fermentation in four-year-old oak barrels to give the wine a fuller impression on the palate. (DSM is fermented in stainless steel.) ò Following primary fermentation, Luxe is sur lie aged in oak barrels 9 - 10 months to soften the wine and impart a creamy mouth feel. ò Luxe is entirage 5 - 6 years for added complexity. (entirage refers to the time sparkling wine stays in the bottle to age, both during this secondary fermentation and after it's complete.) What style of sparking wine is Luxe? Luxe is a brut style Blanc de Blancs. Made of 100% Chardonnay. What is the flavor profile? Luxe is styled for flavor, harmony, grace, complexity and balance. Clean and lively, the bouquet is distinctive for its citrus blossom, green apple and fragrant pear aromas. Fresh tropical fruit flavors are enhanced by a creamy butterscotch note and a hint of hazelnut. The finish is long and seamless. |
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