Wine Details

Contratto Cuveè Novecento Pas Dosé

A blend of Pinot Noir (70%) and Chardonnay (30%), the Cuveè Novecento is a dazzling wine of extraordinary precision. Chalk, white flowers, mint, slate and lemon peel race out of the glass. This sparkling wine spends 7 years aging on its lees, yet remains remarkably fresh with hints of graphite-infused minerality laced throughout a translucent, magnificently pure finish.

Region:

Producer:

Contratto Sparkling Wine

Classification:

Metodo Classico Alta Langa DOCG

Variety:

70% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay

Number of bottles produced:

15,000 bottles

Production area:

Loazzolo, Piemonte; west exposure

Altitude:

550 meters (1,804 feet) a.s.l.

Age of vines:

30 years

Vinification:

Cooled grapes are crushed and free fall juice is collected. Primary fermentation (in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks) with indigenous yeasts and ~8 months rest before bottling in May. Tirage April-July and secondary fermentation in bottle; hand-riddled for 4 weeks followed by disgorging and final corking.

Refining:

7 years on the lees, in bottle

Alcohol content:

12.5%

pH level:

3.2

Acidity:

6.7 g/L

Soil:

Sandy and calcareous

Time of harvest:

Beginning of September (Chardonnay), mid-September (Pinot Noir)

Harvest:

Manual

Recent press reviews

94

Contratto Cuveè Novecento Pas Dosé 2012

Wine Advocate (94)- "The historic Contratto winery was born in 1867, and in 1919, it produced Italy's first Metodo Classico Millesimato wine. This wine is a cousin of that pioneering effort, and its name pays homage to the 19th century. The 2012 Metodo Classico Pas Dos  Cuv e Novecento (with a pretty portrait of a lady on the front) reveals elegant fullness and medium body. Stone fruit and white pear segue to delicate pastry cream, spice and crushed stone. This wine focuses on grace and softness."

93

Contratto Cuveè Novecento Pas Dosé 2011

James Suckling (93)- "Honeysuckle, apricots, spiced pears, hazelnuts, walnuts and brioche on the nose. It’s medium-to full-bodied with bright acidity and a creamy mousse. Round, layered and intense with a toasty and vinous palate. Dry. Pinot noir and chardonnay. Delicious now."

93

Contratto Cuveè Novecento Pas Dosé 2010

James Suckling (93)- "Lifted aromas of toast and bread dough with dried lemons. Full-bodied, very dry and tangy with a pie-crust and cooked-apple finish. Dried pears, too. Decadent. Drink now."