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.

The Le Reve Blanc De Blancs is the finest expression of sparkling wine from this house. This 100% estate-grown Chardonnay glistens in the glass with a medium yellow shadow. It unveils a persistent fine mousse with a bouquet of acacia blossoms and honeyed brioche. There are bright bursts of poached pears, golden delicious apples, lemon meringue, vanilla foam and marzipan cream that is balanced with fresh acidity. This captivating sparkling wine from Domaine Carneros has an intriguing richness and is enormously complex with a vibrant personality that lingers through its lengthy finish.

By W Peter Hoyne