Ultramarine Wines
Heintz Vineyard Blanc de Noirs Pinot Noir
Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California, USA
This is the 2012 Late Disgorged Blanc de Noir.
Having been a long time fan of Michael Cruse and his Ultramarine wines, I was excited to try my first late disgorged offering. Michael recommended at least 6 months post disgorgement before opening…this was disgorged Nov 2020, so I was able to give this 8 months.
Compared to the regular Blanc de noir, I didn’t get that cream soda type note on the nose upon opening, but a lot of this was similar to its regular sibling. Definitely a core of oxidized Apple, with notes of Apple strudel, Bosc pear, and a Carmex note I get with a lot of zero dosage grower champagnes. On the palate it was more full bodied and rich, with a very vinous profile. Closer to high quality white wine than it was sparkler. Bubbles weren’t aggressive. Fruit was mainly Granny Smith Apple with lime stone, and sea salted grilled lemon. Not yeasty. Tasty, as expected!
This is the 2012 Late Disgorged Blanc de Noir.
Having been a long time fan of Michael Cruse and his Ultramarine wines, I was excited to try my first late disgorged offering. Michael recommended at least 6 months post disgorgement before opening…this was disgorged Nov 2020, so I was able to give this 8 months.
Compared to the regular Blanc de noir, I didn’t get that cream soda type note on the nose upon opening, but a lot of this was similar to its regular sibling. Definitely a core of oxidized Apple, with notes of Apple strudel, Bosc pear, and a Carmex note I get with a lot of zero dosage grower champagnes. On the palate it was more full bodied and rich, with a very vinous profile. Closer to high quality white wine than it was sparkler. Bubbles weren’t aggressive. Fruit was mainly Granny Smith Apple with lime stone, and sea salted grilled lemon. Not yeasty. Tasty, as expected!
A singular wine with a couple years of bottle age to uncoil and blossom. And probably the last damn time I’ll get to drink this.
A singular wine with a couple years of bottle age to uncoil and blossom. And probably the last damn time I’ll get to drink this.
Dec 9th, 2018
Disgorged in 2016, so slightly more oxidative than initial tasting, but nonetheless nuanced and tasty.
Disgorged in 2016, so slightly more oxidative than initial tasting, but nonetheless nuanced and tasty.
Mar 24th, 2018
Not as good of a showing as the Blanc de Blancs
Not as good of a showing as the Blanc de Blancs
Jan 15th, 2018Stunning. Great weight, luscious fruit and brilliant acidity.
Stunning. Great weight, luscious fruit and brilliant acidity.
Aug 28th, 2017
Ultramarine 2012 Blanc des Noir Sparkling wine, Sonoma Coast
Believe the hype here kids, this is the best domestic sparkling wine made in the Traditionelle Methode I have tasted to date.
A beautiful mousse that was fresh and dense, excellent bubble streams. The nose was clearly Pinot Noir showing glimpses of red fruits mixed with golden delicious apples, yellow plums and an essence of stone and minerality.
The palate was alive and energetic, with a perfect bead texture from the bubbles, the flavors amplify in density and precision. Excellent acidity and a long, pure finish.
#ultramarinewine @Michael Cruse
Ultramarine 2012 Blanc des Noir Sparkling wine, Sonoma Coast
Believe the hype here kids, this is the best domestic sparkling wine made in the Traditionelle Methode I have tasted to date.
A beautiful mousse that was fresh and dense, excellent bubble streams. The nose was clearly Pinot Noir showing glimpses of red fruits mixed with golden delicious apples, yellow plums and an essence of stone and minerality.
The palate was alive and energetic, with a perfect bead texture from the bubbles, the flavors amplify in density and precision. Excellent acidity and a long, pure finish.
#ultramarinewine @Michael Cruse
Fine mousse, good aromatics, lots of ripe apples on this one.
Fine mousse, good aromatics, lots of ripe apples on this one.
May 20th, 2017
Perfect start for today with our second night of celebration for @India Okoh! So proud of you!
Rich color, close to a golden yellow. Strong liveliness. Lovely nose with notes of red apples, honeysuckle and citrus. Even a touch savory when it warms up. Moderate acidity (7/10) and light plus bodied. Tons of citrus notes in the palate with a bit of floral notes. A touch of minerality in the long and lingering finish. Drink till 2021.
Perfect start for today with our second night of celebration for @India Okoh! So proud of you!
Rich color, close to a golden yellow. Strong liveliness. Lovely nose with notes of red apples, honeysuckle and citrus. Even a touch savory when it warms up. Moderate acidity (7/10) and light plus bodied. Tons of citrus notes in the palate with a bit of floral notes. A touch of minerality in the long and lingering finish. Drink till 2021.
Finally decided to try this. Think it may have been one of my first allocations. Powerful pineapple and tropical fruit. Apple. Strong acidity. Now I’m gonna have to lay some of the more recent ones down longer!
Finally decided to try this. Think it may have been one of my first allocations. Powerful pineapple and tropical fruit. Apple. Strong acidity. Now I’m gonna have to lay some of the more recent ones down longer!
Jan 26th, 2021
Stone fruits and cherries, mineral, powerful and slightly oxidative 🎉🥂😍
Stone fruits and cherries, mineral, powerful and slightly oxidative 🎉🥂😍
Aug 4th, 2019