Founded by the Taittinger family of Champagne Taittinger, Domaine Carneros is the quintessential California expression of French Champagne. Claude Taittinger's search for a worthy U.S. counterpart began in the late 1970s, and in 1987 he selected a 138-acre parcel in the heart of Carneros, Napa Valley. With its cool breezes and consistent yet mild northern California heat, Claude found Carneros to be the perfect micro-climate for growing Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes, and producing world-class California sparkling wine. He wisely selected Eileen Crane to oversee the planning and development of the winery and vineyards, and to this day she remains Domaine Carneros CEO/Founding Winemaker. The heart of Domaine Carneros has always been sparkling wines, with distinctive styles including our classic Vintage Brut cuvée and luxury Le Rêve Blanc de Blancs. But while much of our estate-grown Pinot Noir was sold to top California producers in the early years, we eventually came to understand our opportunity to create exceptional still wine. In 1992 we added rich, complex Pinot Noir to the Domaine Carneros portfolio of wines. Today, our Pinot Noir winemaking is led by TJ Evans.
California » Carneros - Sonoma
"The 2017 edition of our Estate Pinot Noir packs a full range of red and darker berry flavors. Beginning with the nose one encounters bright
California » Carneros - Sonoma
"The 2016 edition of our Estate Pinot Noir packs a full range of red and darker berry flavors. Beginning with the nose one encounters bright
California » Carneros - Sonoma
Wine Spectator 90 "Appropriately firm and flavorful, with a core of blackberry and wild berry flavors and anise and floral scents, gaining depth and tannic weight
Wine Spectator 90 A spicy, graceful, elegant mix of fresh loamy earth, dusty berry, plum and raspberry flavors, making a point of delicacy and finesse.
This lusciously juicy Pinot Noir is redolent with raspberry and black cherry aromas and flavors enhanced with hints of smoke and exotic spice. It is
" Beginning with the nose one encounters a beam of pure red fruit including cherry and pomegranate, complemented by hints of anise, clove, sandalwood and
" Beginning with the nose one encounters a beam of pure red fruit including cherry and pomegranate, complemented by hints of anise, clove, sandalwood and
" The 2010 Estate Pinot Noir packs a full range of flavors. Beginning with the nose one encounters a beam of pure red fruit including
" The 2009 Estate Pinot Noir packs a full range of flavors. Beginning with the nose one encounters dark red fruits including raspberry and black
Wine Spectator 87 "Marked by light smoky, toasty oak, this offers supple plum, wild berry and raspberry fruit that turns delicate and elegant, ending with subtle
" Le Rêve, which translates to “the dream” in French, is a luxury Blanc de Blancs cuvee originally inspired by Taittinger’s Comtes de Champagne.
Wine Enthusiast 95 "With this brut-style wine, Domaine Carneros competes against California’s most serious sparkling wine contenders. It is certainly the finest Le Rêve ever, glamorous
"Produced by the classic Champagne method, this is a complex blanc de blancs sparkling wine characterized by melon, citrus and white fruit aromas and flavors
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