Wine Details

Contratto Riserva Special Cuveè Pas Dosé

This predominantly Pinot Noir (plus 5% old vine Chardonnay from La Spinetta’s Lidia vineyard) Riserva rests for seven long years on the lees, revealing a big, pure sparkling wine of extraordinary elegance, intensity and purity. The Special Cuvèe is rich and full-bodied with a perfect level of ripeness that tastes both sweet and salty at the same time. Enjoyable as an aperitif, this opulent Metodo Classico sparkling wine is also an excellent companion to a meal, particularly seafood.

Region:

Producer:

Contratto Sparkling Wine

Classification:

METODO CLASSICO ALTA LANGA DOCG

Variety:

90% PINOT NOIR 10% CHARDONNAY

Number of bottles produced:

7,000 bottles

Production area:

Loazzolo and Costigliole, Piemonte

Vinification:

Grapes are manually picked, selected and kept separate according to their vineyard location. In the winery they are cooled down before crushing and only the free fall juice is collected. First and second fermentation with indigenous yeast. After the first fermentation, the Chardonnay spends 7 months in French oak, the Pinot Noir matures stainless steel vats until summer after harvest. Then both wines are blended and bottled for the 2nd fermentation

Refining:

7 years on lees in bottle

Alcohol content:

12.0%

pH level:

3.1

Acidity:

7.5 g/l

Harvest:

Last week in August

Residual Sugar:

0.0 g/l

Recent press reviews

93

Contratto Riserva Special Cuveè Pas Dosé 2013

Wine Advocate (93)- "The top-shelf sparkler from the historic Contratto brand is the 2013 Metodo Classico Special Cuvée Extra Brut. Packaged in a heavy bottle, this elegant white sparkler reveals faint hints of gold, followed by slow and fine beading. The bouquet brings intensity and intention with some dried peach, garden herb and crushed limestone. The wine is opulent and rich with yeasty tones at the back that add to its creamy texture and weight. In fact, that richness is almost too much of a good thing."

94+

Contratto Riserva Special Cuveè Pas Dosé 2011

Wine Advocate (94+)- "A softly layered and rich sparkling wine with thick layers of pastry crust and peach cobbler, complete with almond flakes and buttery highlights. This is a beautiful wine that hits many of the archetypal traits you look for in an aged, medium-bodied sparkler. The finish is full, generous, opulent and creamy."

93

Contratto Riserva Special Cuveè Pas Dosé 2011

James Suckling (93)- "Lots of cooked apples and peaches with toasted-oak and coconut character. Full body. Thick and flavorful. Very rich and intense. Drink now."