Domaine Carneros Avant Garde Pinot Noir 2020

Region and Vineyards

The fruit for Avant-Garde Pinot Noir 2020 is drawn exclusively from six sustainably farmed estate vineyards located within the Carneros AVA, where rolling hills and close proximity to San Pablo Bay create the ideal environment for Pinot Noir of elegance and energy. The marine-influenced climate—with fog-cooled mornings and breezy afternoons—extends the growing season, promoting complexity and preserving acidity.

The 2020 growing season was shaped by low yields and small berries, resulting from early spring frosts and rainfall during fruit set. Despite a second year of drought, July and August offered optimal ripening conditions, allowing the fruit to achieve both concentration and balance. These conditions yielded deeply flavored, aromatic grapes, hand-harvested with precision and crafted to express the most fragrant and vibrant parcels of the vintage.

Winemaking

Made from 100% estate-grown Pinot Noir, this cuvée was fermented in small open-topped tanks to enhance fruit purity and extract fine tannins. The wine was then matured for 10 months in 100% French oak, carefully selected from Burgundian cooperages. While oak provides subtle spice and structure, the emphasis remains firmly on fresh, expressive fruit.

Final composition shows an alcohol level of 13.8%, balanced by a pH of 3.63 and a moderate total acidity of 0.59 g/100 ml. These structural elements yield a supple, food-friendly profile, well-suited to early enjoyment while still carrying enough tension for short-term cellaring.

Tasting Notes

• Color: Medium ruby with bright clarity.
• Aroma: High-toned aromatics of fresh pomegranate, red raspberry, warm oak, and cinnamon.
• Palate: Lush and lively, showing juicy raspberry and black cherry, with subtle hints of tobacco leaf. The tannins are soft and integrated, giving way to a smooth, fruit-forward finish.

Did you know?

The term “Avant-Garde” was chosen to reflect this wine’s role as a stylistic forerunner—it is often the first red bottling released from a vintage at Domaine Carneros. It’s designed to be approachable in its youth, while offering a genuine snapshot of both the vintage’s personality and the estate’s terroir.

Wine Pairing Ideas

• Grilled salmon with lemon and herbs: The wine’s acidity and soft tannins elevate the dish without overpowering it.
• Roast chicken with rosemary and garlic: A classic match that highlights the savory and red fruit notes.
• Pork tenderloin with cranberry glaze: Complements the wine’s bright berry flavors and gentle spice.
• Mediterranean mezze (lamb kofta, grilled vegetables): The freshness and finesse pair well with herbal, spiced profiles.

History of Domaine Carneros

Founded in 1987 by Claude Taittinger, then president of Champagne Taittinger, Domaine Carneros was established with a clear and ambitious vision: to create a benchmark American sparkling wine estate, rooted in the traditional Champagne method and powered by the unique terroir of Carneros.

The site chosen for the estate lies in the southern part of Napa Valley, where the cool maritime climate is ideally suited to Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. A French-style château, modeled after Taittinger's own Château de la Marquetterie in Champagne, was built atop the hills overlooking the vineyards, symbolizing the deep connection between Old World tradition and New World innovation.

From the outset, the estate committed to sustainable viticulture and estate-only production, ensuring full control over quality from vine to bottle. Over the decades, Domaine Carneros has become a reference point in the U.S. for Méthode Traditionnelle sparkling wines and refined, cool-climate Pinot Noir.

Winemaking is led by Zak Miller (CEO and sparkling winemaker) and TJ Evans (still wines), both of whom combine Burgundian finesse with Californian expressiveness. Their philosophy balances precision, aging potential, and terroir expression—particularly in the flagship wines Le Rêve Blanc de Blancs and the Estate Pinot Noir.

Region and Vineyards

Domaine Carneros is located in the heart of the Carneros AVA, straddling Napa and Sonoma counties. This region is defined by its cool, fog-laced mornings and breezy afternoons, moderated by nearby San Pablo Bay. These conditions slow grape maturation, promoting high natural acidity, subtle aromatics, and a long growing season—ideal for producing sparkling wines of finesse and Pinot Noir of texture and purity.

The estate comprises six distinct vineyard sites, all certified sustainable, planted predominantly to Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Particular attention is given to clonal diversity, especially in Pinot Noir, with over twenty clones planted to optimize complexity and site expression.

Each plot is farmed with precision, allowing the winemaking team to craft blends that reflect both the personality of the vintage and the signature of the estate. This commitment to estate-grown fruit sets Domaine Carneros apart in the American sparkling wine landscape.

Wine Range of Domaine Carneros

Domaine Carneros produces a focused portfolio centered around sparkling and Pinot Noir wines:

• Le Rêve Blanc de Blancs: The prestige cuvée, made from 100% Chardonnay, aged six years sur lie, and considered one of the finest American sparkling wines.
• Estate Brut Cuvée: The flagship sparkling wine, made from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, with classic method aging and bright, balanced fruit.
• Brut Rosé – Cuvée de la Pompadour: A vibrant, dry rosé with expressive red fruit and elegance.
• Ultra Brut: An Extra Brut style for lovers of crisp, low-dosage sparkling wine.
• Estate Pinot Noir: A structured, silky red wine showcasing the full clonal diversity of the estate’s vineyards.
• Avant-Garde Pinot Noir: A fruit-forward, early-drinking Pinot Noir highlighting the vintage’s aromatic charm.

Did you know?

The estate’s name, Le Rêve, meaning “The Dream,” was chosen to honor Claude Taittinger's dream of producing a world-class American sparkling wine. Today, Le Rêve is widely regarded as one of the top blanc de blancs outside of Champagne.