P/well chilled. Med straw color. This was a lovely example of an aged sparkler. Very tiny size bubble and decent stream. Plenty of fruit and acidity, especially at finish. Slight notes of lees and yeast but not overly so. Nothing off. $43
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This is a relatively old bottle at this point, so I was a little concerned how it would go. It had been well stored, so no issue there. The pop of the cork was a little subdued, but a solid cork. Plentiful bubbles in the flute. Relatively dark golden yellow for a sparkler. This is a very full bodied sparkler - very rich with fruit, yeast, acid. I was quite impressed overall. I don't have a frame of reference for a younger bottle. Score 91+. I don't really see it having faded, but it has no doubt changed since offered - whether the change was for the good or not is probably a matter of preference.
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Baked apple, not really bread-y. First glass superb. Second quickly lost its bubbles. Judging by this bottle it's time to drink. Consume immediately after opening.
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Crisp, sweet apple and chalk. Impressive depth, long finish and persistent acidity. A hint of reduction: smoke, salinity. Drank for dinner and for breakfast the next day. Second day the terroir has faded but crispness was still there. This could go for years.
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Consistent with my note of four years ago - good, but well short of very good. A solid choice for a casual bottle - maybe whilst cooking dinner, or a casual (no one's thinking about the wine, just the company they're sharing) aperitivo. Probably best to drink sooner than later; seems even less depth than before, and that's something of a concern. Drink now.
From two different bottles opened at the same time, served non-blind.
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Jack is Back in Town (Rocknroller's (Kevin & Vicki's Place)): Medium gold color. Drank 1 glass over 25 minutes. Showing green tree fruits on the nose; spiced pear, apple, lightly yeasty. The palate is consistent with tart green fruits, spiced, apple and pear, apple skin, lively, medium finish. This was getting better in glass over the short time drinking, but given the early performances, I'm still not convinced this has much more for the long haul.
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Wonderful bottle. Creamy mousse, plenty of apple and lemony flavors ... some tartness. Nice acidity. Smooth and pleasant to drink. Some nice spicy and mineral complexity.
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Second of four bottles. The inviting bouquet is imbued with citrus, lemon oil, stonefruit, and clementines over fancy tinges of caramel and butterscotch. It opens up crisp and bubbly, long and tensile, with loquats and sea breeze within the folds. Bottle age is obvious but ancillary, giving the flavors lift and focus. A beautiful wine that is still growing.
The nose is convincing but the palate comes up short. Beautiful, full and refined aromas of bread and lemon candy. The palate is medium bodied with low pressure, shrill/lemony acid, a slightly flat mid palate and a satisfying finish. I feel like it's missing the chalk. Also not terribly complex. Enjoyed as an aperitif.
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lots of very small bubbles. Tart apple on the palate. Maybe this was an off bottle, but I think that the regular NV is better. Was really hoping that this would compare to vintage champagne as the price is approaching that, but it just didn't deliver. Neither more time or changing the temperature improved the wine. It was decent, but certainly not worth $40.
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Beneficial to have alot of air to open up. Would even recommend opening, putting in a stopper and leaving in the fridge overnight. Very nice US version of a classic style. If there is any knock, it would be a slight lack of compexity and length on finish.
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Wines At Our Table; Week of May 10th 2015; 5/4/2015-5/10/2015: Pale straw yellow color with abundant tiny bubbles with bread crust, baked apple, and hazelnut aromas. On the palate, it shows a delicate creamy mousse with mineral accented baked apple and pear, toasted hazelnut, apricot and a hint of vanilla flavors. Long finish. 12.1% alcohol - From Roederer - "The wine for the dosage added to the L'ERMITAGE 2003 was 2004 wine liquor aged for 5.5 years in a French oak cask. Following disgorgement, L'ERMITAGE 2003 was aged an additional six months (minimum) on the cork prior to release. 52% Chardonnay, 48% Pinot Noir, 4% aged reserve wine (vintage '99)"
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Picture standing outside a French pastisserie that just happens to be next to a Chinese grocery store. Brioche and honey and tropical fruit and spices.
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Nicely done. In a good window now. Maturity and freshness are both effortlessly complex and integrated. Perhaps not their best vintage ever, but it's still the finest sparkling wine in California.
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Pale straw yellow color with abundant tiny bubbles with bread crust, baked apple, and hazelnut aromas. On the palate, it shows a delicate creamy mousse with mineral accented baked apple and pear, toasted hazelnut, apricot and a hint of vanilla flavors. Long finish. 12.1% alcohol - From Roederer - "The wine for the dosage added to the L'ERMITAGE 2003 was 2004 wine liquor aged for 5.5 years in a French oak cask. Following disgorgement, L'ERMITAGE 2003 was aged an additional six months (minimum) on the cork prior to release. 52% Chardonnay, 48% Pinot Noir, 4% aged reserve wine (vintage '99)"
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Really wonderful wine, round with citrus and toast but perfect acidity. The regular Anderson Valley bottling is my go to nearly once a week, this has a good step up in quality but unfortunately not a weekly wine for me!
Voluptuously elegant and substantial. Big and creamy but precise at the same time with focused flavors of lemon curd and biscuit. Coop said it's the best California bubble he's ever had; I agree.
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Roederer Estate was established by Champagne's Louis Roederer in the Anderson Valley. The 580 acre vineyard and winery site was selected by Jean-Claude Rouzand, the fifth generation descendant of the founder of the Champagne company. L'Ermitage is made in only exceptional years from estate grown grapes. The 2003 was made from 52% Chardonnay and 48% Pinot Noir grapes. I don't drink a lot of sparkling wine, but I thought this was a pretty good one. RP 89
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Really nice wine; we had purchased after tasting at the winery a year and a half before. This was not big, yeasty and bready, but lean, lemony and fine. I like both styles but I'd call this more of a morning wine, which is when we tasted it and when we drank it at brunch.
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Year 2 - Super Tasting 3 of 5 - Maciej and Steve do 1994 Napa Cabernet (George Restaurant, Toronto, ON): Popped and poured....very fine bubbles Nose is really pretty....lime, lemon, mineral, caramel, and biscuit. Extended lees contact very evident. Fruit is very tart but rich. The palate shows similar flavours with very tart lemon and lime fruits augmented with rich caramel and biscuit notes that round the wine out nicely. Finish is long and quite complex with similar tart fruits from that palate but balanced with great richness and balance. The faintest whiff of alcohol does come out on the finish but this is still very fine
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1994 California Cabernet Horizontal (Super Tasting Year 2, 3 of 5) (George Restaurant, Toronto, ON): (tasted non-blind) Very pretty and very champagne like from the cool first pour. Nose displays beautiful notes of tart citrus (lemon, lime, tangerine), marzipan, toast, mint, kiwi and vanilla biscuits. Palate shows excellent high acidity and a sharp citrus tartness. I do find a touch of bitter grape skin texture on the finish which detracts for me. Stylistically I find this leans slightly to the leaner, less rich style. Seems to have lots of lees contact, only a touch oak, and seems to be split between Pinot and chard (confirmed later), and perhaps has not gone through malolactic fermentation due to the sharp acid. There was some discussion about the dosage in California sparkling wine being higher than in Champagne. I had this pegged as slightly elevated at 9 - 10 g/l RS. I checked later and it is 12g/l, so if you prefer the more dry style you may want to avoid this.
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Super Tasting 3 of 5; Going, going, back, back, to Cali, Cali (Maciej and Steve host a 1994 California Horizontal) (George, Toronto, ON): Popped and poured, followed approximately 45 minutes. Light golden colour in the glass, with a persistent, moderate bead. An expressive nose of baked apple, lemon zest, baked bread, and a touch of caramel. On the palate, showing surprisingly tart for a new world sparkler, with medium plus acids. Good density of flavour, with perhaps a touch of sweetness that shows through, hinting at its origin. The finish is moderately long, accentuated by tastes of green apple, yeast, lime zest, and caramelized sugar. Served blind, I don't think I would head to California on this, as it did give the impression of a well made Champagne. That being said, it would be interesting to re-taste this side by side a Champagne as another data point. Overall, very impressed with this.
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Bright gold. Clean, high-pitched bouquet of green apples, lemons, nectarines, yeast, cream, and honeysuckle. Tart, long, leesy, and linear, this floats in the mouth with a velvety texture, nervy acidity, buoyant effervescence, a tiny bead, lemon meringue and green apple flavors, and a languidly intense finish. This is tip top. It's only a matter of time before this develops secondary and tertiary nuances.
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Great! This remains my favorite CA sparkling wine especially when you consider price to quality. There are some exceptional Schramsberg sparklers too. Bubbles fade somewhat quickly on this one but well balanced, linear notes and enjoyable.
Cinnamon and green apples. (I quite like the review from WS on it) I feel more the lime in the "lime and pear"custard. Delicate yet complex. This is super good. Little note. We started drinking it too cold(regular Champagne temperature, while this is a vintage and we should drink warmer). I know it kills aromas, but beyond that, it seeemed to reduce the bubbles... very interesting. As it warmed up, it got better (bubbles). I don't think it was dirty glasses
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This is an A class California sparkling wine. Crisp acidity, nice fruit and a bit of toast at the end. Like it a lot and worth the $27.50 I paid, but not sure I'd pay the full retail price of $40+.
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Limited tableside notes include: A top-notch California sparkler. Wonderful bead and restrained nose. Well balanced flavors of yeast, toast, and apple crispness. Anderson Valley fruit reveals its magic in this wine. Mineral and touch of hazelnut. Lovely.
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Surdyk's Holiday Champagne Tasting (Surdyk's, Mpls, MN): Tasting pour x 2. This bottle was good, not great as it has been in the past. Might have been open for a bit. Just didn't quite have the depth and power of previous bottles. Could be time to move on these. 90+pts.
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Remains a good value, but not up to the 2000 that was my bar for this estate. Needs to remain under $40 unless they're prepared to do a lot more work in the vineyards
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I'll never spend $40US on a domestic sparkler again, no matter how old it is or who makes it. It just not to my tastes. This is domestic champagne for those who don't like the yeast, and lees flavors. I am one who enjoys the aging process. again bottle number 2 set in ice and aired for 3 hours. No real change from what I had the other night. High dosage, some orchard fruit with some acidity, no mineral back bone.
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very UNIMPRESSED. Nothing wrong with the bottle. Plenty of acidity, orchard fruit flavors, but NO mineral content to give it the backbone I associate with champagne or most sparklers around the world. No yeast or lees flavors, just really didn't even seem to be nearly the same type of drink. I saw nothing that made me think this was any better than a domaine carneros or $10 Mumms of Napa. I think I will stick to Champagne, where the Chef du cave decides when think are ready for release, how the sparkling wine is supposed to taste after blending...etc. I first thought these were a value at $39. Frankly I have to say NV Pol Roger is much, much better than this with or without some cellar time. I was a little taken aback as the Roederer NV stuff tastes with more mineral, yeasts and lees flavors to go with the other stuff. Just a bit disappointed. Nothing horrible.
Grillin' and Chillin' Offline: Champagne and Whites (Rocknroller's (Kevin's)): Light gold color. Drank 1 glass over 30 minutes. This was really nice, and no surprise since this is always one of the best domestic sparklers. The nose shows citrus, yeast, mineral, orchard fruit. The palate also has nice yeast, bright and clean, citrus, lemon, pear, good cut, long finish. This was my and group #2 WOTN.
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The best American sparkling wine that I have tasted so far.
Very champagne-like. Very good concentration, good acidity without any bite now, quite buttery notes and some mushroom maturity showing, reminiscent of a high class 15 year old champagne Blanc de Blancs apart from the high dosage/fruit sweetness. It only lacks on minerality, in which case I would have given it another 2 points.
In an excellent place now. I would suggest to drink now-2015!
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I thought it was quite enjoyable. Perhaps didn't have the same degree of yeasty/toastiness as some higher end sparklers, but good acidity and fruit. I thought well worth the price.
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I was somewhat disappointed. It didn't have the complexity I was expecting. It didn't have yeast or mushrooms, or any of the notes you'd be looking for in a more premium cuvee. Stick with NV Roederer, it's just as good and half the price.
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Drank for the celebration of my son's birth. Can't be too specific since I wasn't in "tasting" mode, but nice citrus, fuji apple, and stone fruit with a background note of toast and mineral. Very nice and worth it for the price I got it at.
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Pale lemon in color, with a fine, frothy mousse. The nose is clean, medium in intensity, with aromas of lemon, yeast and toast. The palate is dry and very clean and crisp, with flavors of apple and lemon and a nice supple mouthfeel. The acidity is medium plus; and all the other components are medium. This is a very elegant, well made sparkling wine, made in a restrained French style. The 2003 is noticeably better than the 2002 and likely to be a little more ageworthy. Drink now through 2014. It is good by itself and also with a wide range of appetizers.
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"The wine for the dosage added to the L'ERMITAGE 2003 was 2004 wine liquor aged for 5.5 years in a French oak cask. Following disgorgement, L'ERMITAGE 2003 was aged an additional six months (minimum) on the cork prior to release. 52% Chardonnay, 48% Pinot Noir, 4% aged reserve wine (vintage '99)"
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Had it last night prior to dinner. Loved the flavor and depth. Nice combo of the Pinot and Chard. One of the best domestic bubbles in a long long time. Went out and bought more and gave a bottle to a special person as holiday gift. Enjoy.
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Notes of pear and green apple, with high acidity that tends to overwhelm the rich mousse. Will likely improve with further aging. Will not open my next bottle for another 5+ years.
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Best value sparkler for this price range. Enjoyed with bone marrow, octopus, clams, pasta, risotto, white truffle at Cecconi's. Refreshing from beginning to end of dinner even with the heavier sauces.
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Straw color with fine-grain, relaxed bubbles. Nose: fresh and baked green/red apple, tart strawberry, and quince with accents of roasted hazelnut, dusty chalk, toasted brioche/sourdough, lemon/lime peel, and honeysuckle. Medium body and soft, luscious effervescence on the palate: green apple, lemon/lime citrus, and tart yellow plum framed by river stone, honeysuckle, roasted hazelnut, and sourdough. Aggressive acidity. Lingering apple skin, river stone, and sourdough on the long, focused finish. Extraordinary intensity and sophisticated complexity. Still quite young. This has a long future ahead of it. Cellar for a few more years and drink over the following 6-8 years.
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Pale color with a medium bead and aromas of apple, brioche, almonds and stone. Apple and mineral flavors, with a toasted cashew quality on the finish. Very nice.
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French Laundry Note 1/4: A perfect opener of what was to be a spectacular 25th anniversary dinner - Light gold, medium bodied with a nose of biscuit, yeast, apple, pear and cream, fabulous acidity and freshness for a sparkler almost 10 years old, complex, very lively on the palate with length and mousse that went on forever, outstanding! (94 Points).
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5/21/2023 - dubdub wrote:
Fine bubbles, hazelhut, nougat, sherry. Lovely.
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8/20/2022 - Barry Notes Likes this wine: 92 Points
P/well chilled. Med straw color. This was a lovely example of an aged sparkler. Very tiny size bubble and decent stream. Plenty of fruit and acidity, especially at finish. Slight notes of lees and yeast but not overly so. Nothing off. $43
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5/12/2020 - Dmax808 wrote: 93 Points
Just delicious. I love old sparkling wine and this is no exception.
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5/2/2020 - schott Likes this wine: 91 Points
This is a relatively old bottle at this point, so I was a little concerned how it would go. It had been well stored, so no issue there. The pop of the cork was a little subdued, but a solid cork. Plentiful bubbles in the flute. Relatively dark golden yellow for a sparkler. This is a very full bodied sparkler - very rich with fruit, yeast, acid. I was quite impressed overall. I don't have a frame of reference for a younger bottle. Score 91+. I don't really see it having faded, but it has no doubt changed since offered - whether the change was for the good or not is probably a matter of preference.
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7/19/2018 - Doc90 Likes this wine: 92 Points
The nose is filled with apple blossoms and ripe pear. Full throttle, great fizz. So much energy here. I've found these to be consistently great.
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5/20/2018 - Polindz Likes this wine: 94 Points
A wonderful bottle of bubbles! Rich with a strong undertone of honey and citrus. A wonderful bottle for a birthday toast!
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5/8/2018 - WineGuyL Likes this wine: 90 Points
Baked apple, not really bread-y. First glass superb. Second quickly lost its bubbles. Judging by this bottle it's time to drink. Consume immediately after opening.
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1/1/2018 - Scamber Likes this wine: 93 Points
Crisp, sweet apple and chalk. Impressive depth, long finish and persistent acidity. A hint of reduction: smoke, salinity. Drank for dinner and for breakfast the next day. Second day the terroir has faded but crispness was still there. This could go for years.
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8/19/2017 - Tim Heaton Likes this wine:
Consistent with my note of four years ago - good, but well short of very good. A solid choice for a casual bottle - maybe whilst cooking dinner, or a casual (no one's thinking about the wine, just the company they're sharing) aperitivo. Probably best to drink sooner than later; seems even less depth than before, and that's something of a concern. Drink now.
From two different bottles opened at the same time, served non-blind.
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3/25/2017 - rocknroller wrote: 91 Points
Jack is Back in Town (Rocknroller's (Kevin & Vicki's Place)): Medium gold color. Drank 1 glass over 25 minutes. Showing green tree fruits on the nose; spiced pear, apple, lightly yeasty. The palate is consistent with tart green fruits, spiced, apple and pear, apple skin, lively, medium finish. This was getting better in glass over the short time drinking, but given the early performances, I'm still not convinced this has much more for the long haul.
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2/4/2017 - filipanadian wrote: 90 Points
At peak. Notes of granny smith apple are predominant.
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12/31/2016 - OttawaB Likes this wine: 92 Points
Wonderful bottle. Creamy mousse, plenty of apple and lemony flavors ... some tartness. Nice acidity. Smooth and pleasant to drink. Some nice spicy and mineral complexity.
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11/26/2016 - Baron Slick wrote: 94 Points
Second of four bottles. The inviting bouquet is imbued with citrus, lemon oil, stonefruit, and clementines over fancy tinges of caramel and butterscotch. It opens up crisp and bubbly, long and tensile, with loquats and sea breeze within the folds. Bottle age is obvious but ancillary, giving the flavors lift and focus. A beautiful wine that is still growing.
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5/20/2016 - kdsipe wrote: 90 Points
The nose is convincing but the palate comes up short. Beautiful, full and refined aromas of bread and lemon candy. The palate is medium bodied with low pressure, shrill/lemony acid, a slightly flat mid palate and a satisfying finish. I feel like it's missing the chalk. Also not terribly complex. Enjoyed as an aperitif.
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1/2/2016 - Fateful Destiny Likes this wine: 92 Points
Very nice
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12/31/2015 - bugdoced wrote: 93 Points
so good tonite with minerality and tart lemon with melon too
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11/30/2015 - jdhart306 wrote:
lots of very small bubbles. Tart apple on the palate. Maybe this was an off bottle, but I think that the regular NV is better. Was really hoping that this would compare to vintage champagne as the price is approaching that, but it just didn't deliver. Neither more time or changing the temperature improved the wine. It was decent, but certainly not worth $40.
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5/31/2015 - ledwards wrote: 90 Points
Beneficial to have alot of air to open up. Would even recommend opening, putting in a stopper and leaving in the fridge overnight. Very nice US version of a classic style. If there is any knock, it would be a slight lack of compexity and length on finish.
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5/10/2015 - Martin Redmond wrote: 92 Points
Wines At Our Table; Week of May 10th 2015; 5/4/2015-5/10/2015: Pale straw yellow color with abundant tiny bubbles with bread crust, baked apple, and hazelnut aromas. On the palate, it shows a delicate creamy mousse with mineral accented baked apple and pear, toasted hazelnut, apricot and a hint of vanilla flavors. Long finish. 12.1% alcohol - From Roederer - "The wine for the dosage added to the L'ERMITAGE 2003 was 2004 wine liquor aged for 5.5 years in a French oak cask. Following disgorgement, L'ERMITAGE 2003 was aged an additional six months (minimum) on the cork prior to release. 52% Chardonnay, 48% Pinot Noir, 4% aged reserve wine (vintage '99)"
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4/21/2015 - Pfleonard Likes this wine: 90 Points
Picture standing outside a French pastisserie that just happens to be next to a Chinese grocery store. Brioche and honey and tropical fruit and spices.
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2/15/2015 - DollarMenunaire wrote:
Nicely done. In a good window now. Maturity and freshness are both effortlessly complex and integrated. Perhaps not their best vintage ever, but it's still the finest sparkling wine in California.
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12/24/2014 - Tarpon222 wrote: 92 Points
All agreed this was excellent. Big mouthfeel and modest yeast. TINY bubbles.
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12/22/2014 - GARDEN Likes this wine: 92 Points
I served this with appetizers prior to a dinner party with friends. This wine impressed all.
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11/27/2014 - Martin Redmond Likes this wine: 92 Points
Pale straw yellow color with abundant tiny bubbles with bread crust, baked apple, and hazelnut aromas. On the palate, it shows a delicate creamy mousse with mineral accented baked apple and pear, toasted hazelnut, apricot and a hint of vanilla flavors. Long finish. 12.1% alcohol - From Roederer - "The wine for the dosage added to the L'ERMITAGE 2003 was 2004 wine liquor aged for 5.5 years in a French oak cask. Following disgorgement, L'ERMITAGE 2003 was aged an additional six months (minimum) on the cork prior to release. 52% Chardonnay, 48% Pinot Noir, 4% aged reserve wine (vintage '99)"
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11/7/2014 - ChateauMarcze wrote: 90 Points
Really wonderful wine, round with citrus and toast but perfect acidity. The regular Anderson Valley bottling is my go to nearly once a week, this has a good step up in quality but unfortunately not a weekly wine for me!
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10/13/2014 - Neecies Likes this wine: 93 Points
Voluptuously elegant and substantial. Big and creamy but precise at the same time with focused flavors of lemon curd and biscuit. Coop said it's the best California bubble he's ever had; I agree.
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9/9/2014 - Wine_in_HD wrote: 90 Points
Roederer Estate was established by Champagne's Louis Roederer in the Anderson Valley. The 580 acre vineyard and winery site was selected by Jean-Claude Rouzand, the fifth generation descendant of the founder of the Champagne company. L'Ermitage is made in only exceptional years from estate grown grapes. The 2003 was made from 52% Chardonnay and 48% Pinot Noir grapes. I don't drink a lot of sparkling wine, but I thought this was a pretty good one. RP 89
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9/6/2014 - Not647f wrote:
Really nice wine; we had purchased after tasting at the winery a year and a half before. This was not big, yeasty and bready, but lean, lemony and fine. I like both styles but I'd call this more of a morning wine, which is when we tasted it and when we drank it at brunch.
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6/23/2014 - Tige Likes this wine: 91 Points
Pas énormément de bulles mais bien équilibré et long en bouche.
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6/7/2014 - Dave Canada wrote: 92 Points
Year 2 - Super Tasting 3 of 5 - Maciej and Steve do 1994 Napa Cabernet (George Restaurant, Toronto, ON): Popped and poured....very fine bubbles
Nose is really pretty....lime, lemon, mineral, caramel, and biscuit. Extended lees contact very evident. Fruit is very tart but rich.
The palate shows similar flavours with very tart lemon and lime fruits augmented with rich caramel and biscuit notes that round the wine out nicely.
Finish is long and quite complex with similar tart fruits from that palate but balanced with great richness and balance. The faintest whiff of alcohol does come out on the finish but this is still very fine
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6/7/2014 - Wine Canuck wrote: 91 Points
1994 California Cabernet Horizontal (Super Tasting Year 2, 3 of 5) (George Restaurant, Toronto, ON): (tasted non-blind) Very pretty and very champagne like from the cool first pour. Nose displays beautiful notes of tart citrus (lemon, lime, tangerine), marzipan, toast, mint, kiwi and vanilla biscuits. Palate shows excellent high acidity and a sharp citrus tartness. I do find a touch of bitter grape skin texture on the finish which detracts for me. Stylistically I find this leans slightly to the leaner, less rich style. Seems to have lots of lees contact, only a touch oak, and seems to be split between Pinot and chard (confirmed later), and perhaps has not gone through malolactic fermentation due to the sharp acid. There was some discussion about the dosage in California sparkling wine being higher than in Champagne. I had this pegged as slightly elevated at 9 - 10 g/l RS. I checked later and it is 12g/l, so if you prefer the more dry style you may want to avoid this.
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6/7/2014 - alittle wrote: 92 Points
Super Tasting 3 of 5; Going, going, back, back, to Cali, Cali (Maciej and Steve host a 1994 California Horizontal) (George, Toronto, ON): Popped and poured, followed approximately 45 minutes. Light golden colour in the glass, with a persistent, moderate bead. An expressive nose of baked apple, lemon zest, baked bread, and a touch of caramel. On the palate, showing surprisingly tart for a new world sparkler, with medium plus acids. Good density of flavour, with perhaps a touch of sweetness that shows through, hinting at its origin. The finish is moderately long, accentuated by tastes of green apple, yeast, lime zest, and caramelized sugar. Served blind, I don't think I would head to California on this, as it did give the impression of a well made Champagne. That being said, it would be interesting to re-taste this side by side a Champagne as another data point. Overall, very impressed with this.
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5/10/2014 - Gordonium Likes this wine:
Drinking nicely still. The secondary characters are coming out, lending a mushroomy, earthy side to an otherwise fruity new world sparkling wine.
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4/15/2014 - Baron Slick wrote: 94 Points
Bright gold. Clean, high-pitched bouquet of green apples, lemons, nectarines, yeast, cream, and honeysuckle. Tart, long, leesy, and linear, this floats in the mouth with a velvety texture, nervy acidity, buoyant effervescence, a tiny bead, lemon meringue and green apple flavors, and a languidly intense finish. This is tip top. It's only a matter of time before this develops secondary and tertiary nuances.
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4/6/2014 - aaronwine Likes this wine: 92 Points
Great! This remains my favorite CA sparkling wine especially when you consider price to quality. There are some exceptional Schramsberg sparklers too. Bubbles fade somewhat quickly on this one but well balanced, linear notes and enjoyable.
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1/11/2014 - leonardo_de_araujo Likes this wine: 92 Points
Cinnamon and green apples. (I quite like the review from WS on it)
I feel more the lime in the "lime and pear"custard.
Delicate yet complex.
This is super good.
Little note. We started drinking it too cold(regular Champagne temperature, while this is a vintage and we should drink warmer). I know it kills aromas, but beyond that, it seeemed to reduce the bubbles... very interesting. As it warmed up, it got better (bubbles). I don't think it was dirty glasses
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1/1/2014 - sirwine Likes this wine: 92 Points
This is an A class California sparkling wine. Crisp acidity, nice fruit and a bit of toast at the end. Like it a lot and worth the $27.50 I paid, but not sure I'd pay the full retail price of $40+.
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12/10/2013 - John Dunlap wrote: 92 Points
Limited tableside notes include: A top-notch California sparkler. Wonderful bead and restrained nose. Well balanced flavors of yeast, toast, and apple crispness. Anderson Valley fruit reveals its magic in this wine. Mineral and touch of hazelnut. Lovely.
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12/5/2013 - rocknroller wrote: 90 Points
Surdyk's Holiday Champagne Tasting (Surdyk's, Mpls, MN): Tasting pour x 2. This bottle was good, not great as it has been in the past. Might have been open for a bit. Just didn't quite have the depth and power of previous bottles. Could be time to move on these. 90+pts.
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11/28/2013 - Chris wrote: 91 Points
nice bubbles and earthy/bread character. Very nice especially for a California "champagne"
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11/16/2013 - grafighter Likes this wine: 91 Points
Simply refreshing! Crispy apples, yeast. Slight sweetness but not overwhelming.
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11/15/2013 - Tim Heaton wrote:
Remains a good value, but not up to the 2000 that was my bar for this estate. Needs to remain under $40 unless they're prepared to do a lot more work in the vineyards
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10/25/2013 - Bandreas wrote: 84 Points
Tasted at the 2013 New York Wine Experience
Good brioche smell, on palate a bit bitter and short. Nice and fine bubbles.
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10/24/2013 - lolo66 wrote: 89 Points
NY Wine Experience (Marriot Marquis): dry upon entry but has a hollow mid palate. still quite nice. not as balanced as previous wines.
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9/28/2013 - BigTex22 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Very nice champagne, yeast on the nose and sweet but dry finish. Nice golden color and tiny bubbles. Good buy, would drink again. VERY GOOD.
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9/10/2013 - StarM wrote: 93 Points
Beautiful tiny bubbles in the glass. Yeasty hazelnut on the nose. Smooth & creamy on the palate, with just a hint of acid. Lovely.
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9/9/2013 - Fateful Destiny Likes this wine: 90 Points
Seemingly larger bubbles than most Champagnes. Good, but not as good as I remember other times.
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7/14/2013 - Champagneinhand wrote: 86 Points
I'll never spend $40US on a domestic sparkler again, no matter how old it is or who makes it. It just not to my tastes. This is domestic champagne for those who don't like the yeast, and lees flavors. I am one who enjoys the aging process. again bottle number 2 set in ice and aired for 3 hours. No real change from what I had the other night. High dosage, some orchard fruit with some acidity, no mineral back bone.
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7/12/2013 - Champagneinhand wrote: 86 Points
very UNIMPRESSED. Nothing wrong with the bottle. Plenty of acidity, orchard fruit flavors, but NO mineral content to give it the backbone I associate with champagne or most sparklers around the world. No yeast or lees flavors, just really didn't even seem to be nearly the same type of drink. I saw nothing that made me think this was any better than a domaine carneros or $10 Mumms of Napa. I think I will stick to Champagne, where the Chef du cave decides when think are ready for release, how the sparkling wine is supposed to taste after blending...etc. I first thought these were a value at $39. Frankly I have to say NV Pol Roger is much, much better than this with or without some cellar time. I was a little taken aback as the Roederer NV stuff tastes with more mineral, yeasts and lees flavors to go with the other stuff. Just a bit disappointed. Nothing horrible.
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6/22/2013 - rocknroller wrote: 93 Points
Grillin' and Chillin' Offline: Champagne and Whites (Rocknroller's (Kevin's)): Light gold color. Drank 1 glass over 30 minutes. This was really nice, and no surprise since this is always one of the best domestic sparklers. The nose shows citrus, yeast, mineral, orchard fruit. The palate also has nice yeast, bright and clean, citrus, lemon, pear, good cut, long finish. This was my and group #2 WOTN.
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6/10/2013 - TheSohs wrote: 89 Points
Tart Granny smith apple, plenty of acid finishing with hints of cooked apple sweetness
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6/4/2013 - Fateful Destiny Likes this wine: 91 Points
Quite nice again. Good value.
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5/30/2013 - Bisty Likes this wine: 91 Points
The best American sparkling wine that I have tasted so far.
Very champagne-like. Very good concentration, good acidity without any bite now, quite buttery notes and some mushroom maturity showing, reminiscent of a high class 15 year old champagne Blanc de Blancs apart from the high dosage/fruit sweetness. It only lacks on minerality, in which case I would have given it another 2 points.
In an excellent place now. I would suggest to drink now-2015!
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4/29/2013 - Fateful Destiny Likes this wine: 91 Points
I thought it was quite enjoyable. Perhaps didn't have the same degree of yeasty/toastiness as some higher end sparklers, but good acidity and fruit. I thought well worth the price.
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4/21/2013 - Squeeze wrote: 89 Points
I was somewhat disappointed. It didn't have the complexity I was expecting. It didn't have yeast or mushrooms, or any of the notes you'd be looking for in a more premium cuvee. Stick with NV Roederer, it's just as good and half the price.
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3/9/2013 - Pointchaser wrote: 90 Points
For me, not really any more enjoyable than the NV, which I love.
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3/6/2013 - liberlibri wrote: 91 Points
Drank for the celebration of my son's birth. Can't be too specific since I wasn't in "tasting" mode, but nice citrus, fuji apple, and stone fruit with a background note of toast and mineral. Very nice and worth it for the price I got it at.
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1/2/2013 - slippytoad wrote: 91 Points
Apples and Lemon, very refreshing, quite tart
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1/1/2013 - TannicBeast Likes this wine: 91 Points
Pale lemon in color, with a fine, frothy mousse. The nose is clean, medium in intensity, with aromas of lemon, yeast and toast. The palate is dry and very clean and crisp, with flavors of apple and lemon and a nice supple mouthfeel. The acidity is medium plus; and all the other components are medium. This is a very elegant, well made sparkling wine, made in a restrained French style. The 2003 is noticeably better than the 2002 and likely to be a little more ageworthy. Drink now through 2014. It is good by itself and also with a wide range of appetizers.
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1/1/2013 - Mrbuzz Likes this wine:
New Years eve....love it!
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12/28/2012 - Martin Redmond wrote: 92 Points
Tasting in Anderson Valley; Yorkville Cellars, Breggo Cellars, and Roederer Estate (Yorkville and Anderson Valley, CA): Pale straw yellow color with abundant tiny bubbles with bread crust, baked apple, and hazelnut aromas. On the palate, it shows a delicate creamy mousse with mineral accented baked apple and pear, toasted hazelnut, apricot and a hint of vanilla flavors. Long finish. 12.1% alcohol
"The wine for the dosage added to the L'ERMITAGE 2003 was 2004 wine liquor aged for 5.5 years in a French oak cask. Following disgorgement, L'ERMITAGE 2003 was aged an additional six months (minimum) on the cork prior to release. 52% Chardonnay, 48% Pinot Noir, 4% aged reserve wine (vintage '99)"
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12/21/2012 - somadoc wrote: 90 Points
Very acidic; very green apple; very young; very yum! Should get much nicer with age
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12/12/2012 - TasteBud Likes this wine: 94 Points
Had it last night prior to dinner. Loved the flavor and depth. Nice combo of the Pinot and Chard. One of the best domestic bubbles in a long long time. Went out and bought more and gave a bottle to a special person as holiday gift. Enjoy.
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12/8/2012 - BostonRob64 wrote: 90 Points
Notes of pear and green apple, with high acidity that tends to overwhelm the rich mousse. Will likely improve with further aging. Will not open my next bottle for another 5+ years.
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12/5/2012 - Mrbuzz Likes this wine:
Very good...similar to 02.
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11/22/2012 - BuzzzzOff wrote:
Drank with Jimmy. Not impressed
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11/22/2012 - metamike345 Likes this wine: 89 Points
Citrusy tart and a slight bit yeasty: well-balanced
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11/18/2012 - grafighter Likes this wine: 91 Points
Best value sparkler for this price range. Enjoyed with bone marrow, octopus, clams, pasta, risotto, white truffle at Cecconi's. Refreshing from beginning to end of dinner even with the heavier sauces.
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11/13/2012 - ecola Likes this wine: 91 Points
Very nice flavors of melon and light strawberry. Crisp mouthfeel with a slight earthiness to it.
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11/7/2012 - jsums wrote: 93 Points
Straw color with fine-grain, relaxed bubbles. Nose: fresh and baked green/red apple, tart strawberry, and quince with accents of roasted hazelnut, dusty chalk, toasted brioche/sourdough, lemon/lime peel, and honeysuckle. Medium body and soft, luscious effervescence on the palate: green apple, lemon/lime citrus, and tart yellow plum framed by river stone, honeysuckle, roasted hazelnut, and sourdough. Aggressive acidity. Lingering apple skin, river stone, and sourdough on the long, focused finish. Extraordinary intensity and sophisticated complexity. Still quite young. This has a long future ahead of it. Cellar for a few more years and drink over the following 6-8 years.
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10/26/2012 - AllRed wrote: 90 Points
Pale color with a medium bead and aromas of apple, brioche, almonds and stone. Apple and mineral flavors, with a toasted cashew quality on the finish. Very nice.
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10/23/2012 - thechairman wrote: 96 Points
Great wine for the price - served with apps and loved it!
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9/16/2012 - Liskovets wrote: 92 Points
Very different from traditional French champagne, but pretty phenomenal in its own right
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9/4/2012 - Double-A Likes this wine: 95 Points
Overt and complex nose of mushrooms, biscuit, binned apple and lemon rind. Gentle mousse. Flavourful, complex and elegant.
5/5
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6/29/2012 - Tarrant wrote: 94 Points
French Laundry Note 1/4: A perfect opener of what was to be a spectacular 25th anniversary dinner - Light gold, medium bodied with a nose of biscuit, yeast, apple, pear and cream, fabulous acidity and freshness for a sparkler almost 10 years old, complex, very lively on the palate with length and mousse that went on forever, outstanding! (94 Points).
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4/9/2012 - Vino Me wrote: 89 Points
Take me out to the Ballgame; 4/7/2012-4/9/2012 (Anwar and Trigirls Home): Opened by LostVerse for the "take me out to the ballgame" offline. He picked this because it was the year of the "Bartman" game. No formal notes. 89 points.
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