Friday, June 7, 2013

DGA Wine Club: PLR Legacy Blanc de Noirs NV


Posted by Matt



I will attempt to write an objective review of this sparkling wine, despite the fact that the circumstances in which I drank this were less than ideal.  I thought my wife was joking when she approached me on Saturday night and said “In honor of Edward and Bella’s wedding, we should open that bottle of bubbly.”  Sadly she was not kidding.  The PLR Legacy Blanc de Noirs is a fine sparkling wine that deserved much better than to be consumed during a viewing of any installment of the Twilight franchise.   Happily, the PLR Legacy helped eased the pain. 



The PLR Legacy is a limited-release exclusive from Parker-rated winemaker Reed Renaudin – and, it’s already racking up acclaim. Wine Spectator gave it a 90-point rating and called it “A bubbly that’s both festive and serious, with floral raspberry and citrus aromas and supple yet bone-dry flavors of lemon, almond and spicy vanilla.)   The PLR Legacy is a great value in sparkling wine.  Under a different label, it might fetch $50 or more a bottle, but this elegant blend of Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier can be found closer to $30.




'Blanc de Noir' refers to the fact that PLR Legacy is crafted from dark-skinned ('black') grapes. But don't be alarmed, it has a brilliant golden color. After a gentle pressing, the skins (which contain the color pigments) were removed from the juice.



This sparkling wine has strong aromas of roasted nuts and almond biscotti combined with citrus aromas and hints of spice and Bing cherry.  The wine’s bright fruit and acidity give way to a delicate creamy finish in this elegant, complex sparkler.



The Winemaker



Reed was destined to make great sparkling wine: his great, great great grandfather, Paul Levieux Renaudin, was one of the founding owners of the Bollinger Champagne house.  Reed, who did extensive graduate research at highly regarded UC Davis wine program, is continuing the family's legacy in California. 





With Food



This is the perfect bottle to open when celebrating a special occasion. Its elegant mousse (bubbly foam), crisp green apple and citrus flavors along with a creamy texture make it a winning apĂ©ritif.  We enjoyed ours with a plate of soft cheeses and pistachios; the nuttiness of this sparkling wine was a fine accompaniment.  Fine sparkling wine can also be a delicious accompaniment to food. Great matches would be a ground nut-crusted halibut or herbed pork tenderloin.   Alternatively, the PLR would be an excellent match with grilled oysters or other shellfish.  


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