I think I first met Marcus Ansems when I had just started working at Phantom Creek Estates. It was a small gathering, with some blue-chip wines being served. Think Napa Cabernet and the like. And I remember Marcus brought his Sparkling Shiraz.
It made a lasting impression. Now, those who know Daydreamer, know that their Sparkling Shiraz has a bit of a cult following. So, it did fit the occasion – and, frankly, it's just really good. That's Daydreamer in a nutshell, though. Marcus, and his wife Rachel, do things their way. They make the wines they want and sell them from a literal wine shack, as they call it. The wines are real, delicious, and sell out quickly.
I talked Marcus into saving us the last five cases of Rachel's Cuvée, their traditional method sparkling wine. It's long sold out at the winery, but I'm glad we were able to include it in this shipment. The Naramata Bench produces some spectacular sparkling wines, and this is one of the best. Made from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Gris, the fruit is farmed without synthetic pesticides and it's made in a transparent Brut Nature style.
The only thing I may like more than this wine is Daydreamer's Instagram account. The title of funniest Master of Wine in Canada probably has to go to Marcus.
-GM
Tasting Note
This is a complex, rich, oxidative style of sparkling wine, which benefits from a long, gradual wild fermentation in seasoned, neutral barrels. To me, it's every bit as good as Grower Champagne. There's toasted hazelnut, lemon, red apple, and red berries, with a healthy amount of toasty autolytic goodness after 18 months on lees. Sometimes Brut Nature wines with no added dosage can be lean and austere, but this has the fruit ripeness and intensity to keep everything beautifully in balance.
Food Pairing
Oysters Rockefeller. Take three perfect ingredients – oysters, cheese, and butter – and pair them with sparkling wine, and you have absolute bliss.