The colour is medium gold. The perlage is very subtle, almost fading. On the nose not much. The same in the mouth. At the entrance there is a disturbing effervescence, followed by marked acidity.
This wine is the most important Classic Method sparkling wine made by Conte Vistarino winery. It is produced with 100% Pinot Noir grapes from the 2014 vintage. The wine stays on the lees for at least 50 months and rests for 6 months after the disgorgement, which for the 2014 vintage was in December 2019.
1865 is not dosed (pas dosé). Dosage is the last step before final corking. It is the addition of a small quantity of “liqueur de dosage” to the wine (also known as the “liqueur d’expédition”). “Brut nature”, “pas dosé” or “dosage zéro” contains zero dosage and less than 3 grams of sugar per litre.
If the winemaker is happy with the wine as it stands, the liqueur de dosage will consist of a mixture of sugar and the same wine as the one in the bottle. Alternatively, if a final touch of aroma is thought desirable, the liqueur de dosage may be made with a reserve wine (wines set aside for long aging in casks, barrels or magnums). This option adds an extra dimension to the winemaker’s repertory of flavours, creating an array of flavours from which to choose the finishing touch. A few months before dosage, winemakers experiment with different liqueurs and select the one they prefer.
1865 is dedicated to the memory of Count Augusto Giorgio di Vistarino, who in 1850 was the first person to plant Pinot Noir in the Oltrepò, by importing the shoots directly from France. 1865 is the year in which Count Vistarino produced his first Classic Method.
I bought this bottle when I visited Conte Vistarino estate in early August 2021, while traveling with my son. None of the Pinot Noir wines I tasted excited me, especially considering the prices.
For this bottle I paid 30 EUR. According to my experience, on the market there are many Crémants that deliver more pleasure at half the price.
Country: Italy
Region: Lombardy
Grapes: Pinot Noir
Type: Sparkling
Vintage: 2014
Producer: Conte Vistarino
Price range: Premium (30-50 US$)
Pascal’s Enjoyment Index: 2/5