Holding strong! Last tasted this wine in 2015 and enjoyed it then. Served blind, I thought this was much younger, like a 2012 as it clearly showed Blanc de Blancs qualities of green apple and lemon. Reduction on the nose with some almond paste. Regal and showed like a big house tete de cuveé today.
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Pale yellow gold. Aromas of pastry, all sorts of tropical fruits in crème brûlée. Mango, pineapples, sweet flowers of honeysuckle. All about ripeness.
frequently named America’s Best Sparkling
The winemaker claims "very little dosage - 1%" which is in fact 7.5g/l. But how nicely elegant they phrase it 👏
Inspired by Champagne Taittinger’s Comtes de Champagne, yet its own reflection of Carneros terroir, Domaine Carneros’ luxury tête-de-cuvée is crafted from five sustainably grown estate clones of Chardonnay. The wine is made using the traditional method of Champagne and is aged in bottle for five to six years sur lie before release.
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Old World from the New World (Amy & Scott's): My second try with this wine, and again it does not deliver at the level I think it should. This wine is powerful with almond extract, pear and a mix of sweetness and acid. To me, this is the opposite of refined. This wine doesn't resemble champagne or any sparkling wine I've ever had.
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Tasted vs Comtes de Champagne 2006, and LP Grand Siecle in our USA/France showdown. Definitely comes third, but still a respectable showing against its French counterparts which are both more than twice the price. Intense aromas of baked apples, biscuit and almonds, full and fat in the mouth, more mature feeling and lacking the backbone and finesse of the two champagnes. Still a very good wine, especially for the money.
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The 2004 drunk 18 months ago was superb, but still youthful and the same applies here. Really outstanding winemaking but I think the best is yet to come for this bottle. 91 now but I think this will rise.
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A small impromptu dinner with Trip B (Eddie V's - Tysons Corner): I am really surprised by the high ratings. Honey, apple, citrus and some mineral. Abundant, a bit coarse mousse. The overall expression is straightforward, fills more like a good deeply toned Cava than Champagne. I am not so sure why anyone would buy this when the 06 Comtes de Champagne can be had for a bit more.
I think this is drinking well right now. Little thicker than light, but acidity is great, citrus, slate, a bit chalky and a slight hint of fig on the finish. Still a great value and a great bubbler. I have a few left and will see what the next year or so brings. I question longevity on this one a bit. Seems on the early downside of the bell-curve.
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Sparkling "Wines by Joe" (Tracy's Patio): A small pour at a tasting. This was universally panned among the 12 of us. Nothing wrong with it, just nothing to get excited about. Light, slightly acidic, pear, yeast. Meh. This was blown away by the 2004 Roederer L'Ermitae served right before it. I will hold my remaining bottle for a couple years and pray.
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Champagne and Sparklers (Tracy's, Mpls): Light gold color. 2oz pour over 20 minutes. Citrus, chalky, woody, spiced, green on the palate and chalky on the finish. This fell just a bit short on the overall impression with the green fruits and chalk detracting a bit.
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Drank to celebrate my precious wife landing her dream job.
The wine is showing very very well. Cellared about a year prior to opening. The nose is fragrant, with layers of lemon, salinity, and brioche. I even detected nutmeg at one point. The wine has achieved its balance. A supreme pleasure, even more than the other times I've tasted it at the vineyard. Highly recommended.
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Really starting to come into it's own now, elegant citrus, brioche and apple notes on the nose, palate quite intense with fine effervescence and sharp acidity still quite youthful I suspect this has plenty of time and evolution ahead of it
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Winery tasting. Made from 100% estate grown chardonnay grapes. Noticeably less dry than the 2009 Ultra Brut, and slightly sweeter on the palate. Light golden color. Pretty good, but there are better sparklers for the money.
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Nice nose of orchard apple, some hints of a pear tropical fruit mix, similar palate with nice acidity but needs about 5-7 year for the effervescence to settle
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Hints of fig, fresh granny smith apple, cantaloupe and toasted almonds, elegant effervescence medium body with a long finish supported by decent acidity. Thins is only going to develop further
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Yellow color. Tropical fruit aromatics with some caramel and toasted oak notes. Tastes of apple, lemon, and melon. Nice mid palate complexity. Elegant finish with a delicate nutty character.
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11/21/2023 - MJEnglhard Likes this wine: 94 Points
Still showing well. Enjoyed celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary today
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10/22/2022 - Cynthia’s Cellar wrote:
Stunning.
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5/27/2022 - jviz wrote: 95 Points
Holding strong! Last tasted this wine in 2015 and enjoyed it then. Served blind, I thought this was much younger, like a 2012 as it clearly showed Blanc de Blancs qualities of green apple and lemon. Reduction on the nose with some almond paste. Regal and showed like a big house tete de cuveé today.
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7/2/2019 - Mark V Likes this wine: 96 Points
Amazing sparkling for my 60th birthday! Still has the same caramel finish that it had 10 years ago! Great stuff!!! My wife’s favorite jam
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6/20/2019 - StasMedvedev.lv Likes this wine: 93 Points
🏅Rating 93/100 (4,3⭐)
Pale yellow gold. Aromas of pastry, all sorts of tropical fruits in crème brûlée. Mango, pineapples, sweet flowers of honeysuckle. All about ripeness.
frequently named America’s Best Sparkling
The winemaker claims "very little dosage - 1%" which is in fact 7.5g/l. But how nicely elegant they phrase it 👏
Inspired by Champagne Taittinger’s Comtes de Champagne, yet its own reflection of Carneros terroir, Domaine Carneros’ luxury tête-de-cuvée is crafted from five sustainably grown estate clones of Chardonnay. The wine is made using the traditional method of Champagne and is aged in bottle for five to six years sur lie before release.
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4/15/2019 - galewskj wrote: 87 Points
Old World from the New World (Amy & Scott's): My second try with this wine, and again it does not deliver at the level I think it should. This wine is powerful with almond extract, pear and a mix of sweetness and acid. To me, this is the opposite of refined. This wine doesn't resemble champagne or any sparkling wine I've ever had.
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7/27/2018 - Gentleman’s Winefest Likes this wine: 91 Points
Tasted vs Comtes de Champagne 2006, and LP Grand Siecle in our USA/France showdown. Definitely comes third, but still a respectable showing against its French counterparts which are both more than twice the price. Intense aromas of baked apples, biscuit and almonds, full and fat in the mouth, more mature feeling and lacking the backbone and finesse of the two champagnes. Still a very good wine, especially for the money.
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11/20/2017 - cz2016xe Likes this wine:
Celebrate Blythe’s engagement.
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11/4/2017 - bubbachumps wrote: 89 Points
Slighlty musky nose, notes of brioche and some faint caramel. Finish was a little short, but overall nice sparkling wine
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6/10/2017 - leachriscellar wrote: 92 Points
Pale gold color, good bubble concentration. Brioche, peach, apple scents. Orange, sourdough bread, finish is not as yeasty as other CA. sparklings.
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12/24/2016 - ljonas Likes this wine: 93 Points
Sleek & refinde, w/ floral asian pear & white chocolate aromas, offereing crisp yet supple flavors of baked apple, brioche & cinnamon, finishing on a creamy, vibrant note.
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8/28/2016 - finewinebuff57 wrote: 91 Points
The 2004 drunk 18 months ago was superb, but still youthful and the same applies here. Really outstanding winemaking but I think the best is yet to come for this bottle. 91 now but I think this will rise.
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6/23/2016 - dcwino wrote: 89 Points
A small impromptu dinner with Trip B (Eddie V's - Tysons Corner): I am really surprised by the high ratings. Honey, apple, citrus and some mineral. Abundant, a bit coarse mousse. The overall expression is straightforward, fills more like a good deeply toned Cava than Champagne. I am not so sure why anyone would buy this when the 06 Comtes de Champagne can be had for a bit more.
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11/15/2015 - HDW55 Likes this wine: 95 Points
I think this is drinking well right now. Little thicker than light, but acidity is great, citrus, slate, a bit chalky and a slight hint of fig on the finish. Still a great value and a great bubbler. I have a few left and will see what the next year or so brings. I question longevity on this one a bit. Seems on the early downside of the bell-curve.
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6/14/2015 - galewskj wrote: 89 Points
Sparkling "Wines by Joe" (Tracy's Patio): A small pour at a tasting. This was universally panned among the 12 of us. Nothing wrong with it, just nothing to get excited about. Light, slightly acidic, pear, yeast. Meh. This was blown away by the 2004 Roederer L'Ermitae served right before it. I will hold my remaining bottle for a couple years and pray.
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6/13/2015 - rocknroller wrote: 89 Points
Champagne and Sparklers (Tracy's, Mpls): Light gold color. 2oz pour over 20 minutes. Citrus, chalky, woody, spiced, green on the palate and chalky on the finish. This fell just a bit short on the overall impression with the green fruits and chalk detracting a bit.
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4/27/2015 - jviz Likes this wine: 95 Points
Drank to celebrate my precious wife landing her dream job.
The wine is showing very very well. Cellared about a year prior to opening. The nose is fragrant, with layers of lemon, salinity, and brioche. I even detected nutmeg at one point. The wine has achieved its balance. A supreme pleasure, even more than the other times I've tasted it at the vineyard. Highly recommended.
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4/27/2015 - WineGalDT Likes this wine: 95 Points
Delicious, very fine bubbles. Wish I had more!
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3/2/2015 - trastevere Likes this wine: 91 Points
Rich and creamy, smooth, persistent.
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11/29/2014 - W2WineGuy Likes this wine: 89 Points
creamy, buttery, lemony, lots and lots of bubbles, maybe a bit too acidic for me though
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8/22/2014 - eoinhharkins Likes this wine: 93 Points
Really starting to come into it's own now, elegant citrus, brioche and apple notes on the nose, palate quite intense with fine effervescence and sharp acidity still quite youthful I suspect this has plenty of time and evolution ahead of it
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5/19/2014 - Ron&nina Likes this wine: 95 Points
Absolutely love this wine. Beautiful mousse and soft bubbles that just flow down smoothly. Tingles the tongue. Great food wine.
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2/16/2014 - Winedogtemple Likes this wine: 95 Points
Creamy and smooth
The wine looks blonde colored. The legs are medium. There is no sediment in the bottle. It smells like and honeysuckle.
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2/13/2014 - melissa01leonard@gmail.com Likes this wine: 92 Points
Love this wine. Very smooth.
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12/9/2013 - PC73 wrote: 88 Points
Slightly buttery on the palate. Tropical nose. Very intense bubbles. Lots of acidity. Sweetness on the finish.
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10/28/2013 - wmccone54 wrote: 89 Points
Winery tasting. Made from 100% estate grown chardonnay grapes. Noticeably less dry than the 2009 Ultra Brut, and slightly sweeter on the palate. Light golden color. Pretty good, but there are better sparklers for the money.
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9/9/2013 - ecola Likes this wine: 89 Points
Green apple and pear flavors. Creamy finish.
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7/4/2013 - eoinhharkins Likes this wine: 91 Points
Nice nose of orchard apple, some hints of a pear tropical fruit mix, similar palate with nice acidity but needs about 5-7 year for the effervescence to settle
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6/28/2013 - winechilds wrote: 100 Points
It's going down smoothly.
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2/25/2013 - Poliosis wrote: 90 Points
nice, but not special. very yeasty, tiny bubbles, clean, dry finish.
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2/25/2013 - wabi47 wrote: 90 Points
brioche, sweet pear, almond; good minerality, fine bubbles; notably a bit sweet, but delicious.
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12/14/2012 - sonodoc Likes this wine: 91 Points
As someone who is not usually a big fan of sparkling wines, this was very nice.
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10/26/2012 - eoinhharkins wrote: 90 Points
Hints of fig, fresh granny smith apple, cantaloupe and toasted almonds, elegant effervescence medium body with a long finish supported by decent acidity. Thins is only going to develop further
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7/14/2012 - kstoddard wrote: 91 Points
Yellow color. Tropical fruit aromatics with some caramel and toasted oak notes. Tastes of apple, lemon, and melon. Nice mid palate complexity. Elegant finish with a delicate nutty character.
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6/30/2012 - Box57 wrote: 88 Points
Whilst v nice, not value for money
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4/8/2012 - Tangy1570 wrote: 87 Points
Melon and bread on the nose. Crisp green fruit on the pallet with nice effervescence. Pleasurable, but not as good or complex as the 2005
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