2015 Le Royal

TASTING NOTES

Crafted by DeLoach Director of Winemaking Brian Maloney, the wine is bright, fresh and vibrant with initial aromas of peach, peony and freesia followed by notes of strawberry and raspberry after exposed to air in the glass. Corresponding flavors build on the mid-palate and a soft, lingering and elegant finish is a hallmark of the mouthfeel.

VINEYARD NOTES

The Charles Heintz Vineyard is located 900 feet in elevation on the second ridge in from the Pacific Ocean in the Green Valley appellation of the Russian River Valley. Charles Heintz is the third-generation farmer of the 50-acre vineyard, which has been in his family for a century. Cool, foggy evenings and warm sunny days allow the grapes an extended hang time, which produces fruit with high acid levels, giving the wine great structure and balance.

WINEMAKER NOTES

Staying true to DeLoach's French roots, Le Royal was produced by méthode traditionnelle (méthode champenoise in Champagne), a process that was awarded UNESCO Heritage designation in Champagne in 2015 and is, arguably, the most high-quality and appreciated method for sparkling wine production. Le Royal was aged sur lie and en tirage for 24 months, bottled on April 22, 2018 then underwent secondary fermentation in the bottle before being disgorged on May 15, 2018.