Domaine Carneros Le Rêve Blanc de Blancs Brut 2017

Region and Vineyards

Le Rêve originates from the renowned Carneros AVA, a cool-climate region straddling the southern reaches of Napa and Sonoma Valleys. The proximity to San Pablo Bay brings morning fog and cooling breezes, moderating temperatures and extending the growing season—ideal for crafting high-acid, expressive Chardonnay.

The 2017 growing season was preceded by one of the wettest winters in over a century, replenishing water reserves and supporting healthy canopy development. Despite sporadic heat spikes, the vintage yielded grapes of excellent balance, concentration, and freshness. Domaine Carneros farms a mosaic of Chardonnay blocks, each selected for their clonal diversity, soil complexity, and aspect. These parcels offer a range of ripeness and aromatic profiles, contributing to the layered precision of Le Rêve. Estate ownership allows complete control over viticulture, ensuring consistent quality and a pure reflection of Carneros terroir.

Winemaking

Domaine Carneros Le Rêve is crafted from 100% estate-grown Chardonnay, hand-harvested and pressed gently to preserve purity. Made in the méthode traditionnelle, the wine undergoes secondary fermentation in bottle and is then aged sur lie for a minimum of six years en tirage—a practice that builds extraordinary texture and aromatic complexity.

The wine is bottled at 12% alcohol, with a dosage of 0.8%, resulting in a Brut profile. The acidity is bright (TA 0.80 g/100 ml), and the pH of 3.1 ensures the wine remains fresh and vibrant for decades. Le Rêve 2017 is produced only in exceptional vintages and reflects a pure, focused expression of Chardonnay.

Tasting Notes

• Color: Pale gold with a silvery hue and a persistent, delicate mousse.
• Aroma: Aromatic layers of Meyer lemon, orange blossom, ginger, and brioche rise from the glass with striking precision.
• Palate: Rich yet refined, with lychee, poached pear, lemon meringue, and toasted hazelnut. The texture is silky and expansive, leading to a lifted, enduring finish.

Did you know?

Le Rêve, French for “The Dream,” was the vision of Claude Taittinger, who sought to create an American blanc de blancs rivaling Champagne’s finest. It is now considered one of California’s benchmark prestige cuvées.

Wine Pairing Ideas

• Lobster with drawn butter: The wine’s acidity and richness elegantly complement the succulence of shellfish.
• Baked Brie with toasted baguette: The creamy cheese enhances the wine’s autolytic depth and nutty finesse.
• Filet mignon: A bold yet refined pairing; the wine’s structure and acidity offset the meat’s richness beautifully.
• Lemon soufflé or hazelnut torte: Echo the wine’s aromatic and textural nuances for a memorable dessert match.

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.