Wow sparkling. Signs of oxidation but not distracting on the palate. Apple, rich honey, pie crust and nice acidity with tine bubbles. Big hit w friends. Special bottle.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Butterscotch in color. Nose of yeasty bread, a hint of orange, and caramel. Effervescent on entry with bread flavor and strong caramel apple. Very very well balanced! Great wine!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Drinking so well right now, may be my new favorite domestic sparkler (Ultramarine BdB is waiting in the wings though.)
Loads of brioche, biscuit, and maybe even some Parmesan with a touch of sweetness on the finish. Paired well on Day 1 with Pizza and just as well on day 2 with Grilled Lobster. Ignore the 'best by 2020' dates, this easily has another 3+ years to go.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Oh yeah, this is good juice. Nutty and yeasty on the nose and through the palate, with the usual green apple. Acidity is perfect. Drinking great right now.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
8th Annual Holiday Dinner and Cellar Raid - A Month Late (Naperville, IL): Part of wine dinner and cellar raid so did not take detailed notes. A Friend brought this to start things off before everyone arrived. This was one of the best sparkling wines I have ever tasted. All I could remember was the nutty/almond flavors that come through on Cristal. Great start to a great evening.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Very hi-toned nose, almost pungent nose with pineapple and kiwi; very broad and almost creamy on the palate with a lactic quality; the palate is very nice with contrasting, complex qualities. The nose and palate are not very connected but overall it is a very interesting and pleasant quaff. A huge contrast to a '99 Philipponat Goisses tasted alongside.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This is excellent, nothing else to say really; just a beautiful wine; nose with rich honeyed apple, ripe lemon, brioche, and a hint of spice. The palate is ripe and deep, but doesn't feel flat or heavy in the least. Finish lasts quite awhile... great bubbly, not much better than it out there.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
49th TWIGS Tasting (Terry and Natalie's (temporary) place): 86% Chardonnay, 14% Pinot Noir. Mid straw. Biscuity, with mushrooms and apple. Palate is so creamy, balanced with a beautiful acid line. Yeasty, bready. Rich but controlled. The palate delivered much more than the aromas would suggest.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Purchased at the winery in 2009. Lively effervescence with a fine mouse. Oxidative qualities - maize yellow or slightly lighter, caramel, nutty and fresh apples on the nose. On the palate, nice balance of sweetness and acidity like a bite of Golden Delicious apples. Drinks like a 25 year old vintage Champagne.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
This was a really nice domestic sparkling. It had notes of green apple on the palate with a fresh finish. The style is a little different from Champagne, which worked for me. I didn't get as much toast or yeast. I think this would go great with apple or pear based desserts.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Delicious bubbly; honey, ripe green apple, honeysuckle and lily, lemon zest. Beautiful, creamy, full bodied mouth feel thanks to the long lees aging. Great wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Mid straw. Elegant and toasty with apple, honey, toast, lemon curd. The citrus-tinged acidity is dead on and bracing. Fine bubbles. All-in, a top notch sparkler.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Classic, delicious bubbly that can easily hold its own with any champagne I have had. Golden apple, honey, floral notes, and brioche. The palate is rich with flavors, yet remains taut and driven. Really outstanding stuff.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
P/well chilled. My favorite domestic sparkler. Perfect Champagne style. Light straw/tan color with intense , long lasting, very tiny bubble stream. Yeasty on front changing to deep, intense, mouth watering fruit with ideal balance. Nothing off. Stunning stuff.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
This is perhaps the 3rd time I have enjoyed this excellent sparkling wine. Light color, long lasting fine bubbles. Very elegant, light acid, soft, even finish.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Epic bubbles (blinded) (Zorg's place, Umeå, Sweden): *WOTN* Autolysis, round, broad, young nose. First gulp: "Wow! This is made with umpa-umpa!" Even if the acids claw in on my tongue, I really like this. There is just so much going on in here. Citrus circus, balanced like a yoga master and: umpa-umpa-umpa!
Smells older than it actually is. Dusty aromas of caramel, sour dough bread, graham cracker, and subtle oxidation. Similar flavors with a creamy mouthfeel. Short finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Second time having in past 30 days and third time in total. This is consistent bottle to bottle and is a wine that I don't think gets your attention as much while you are drinking it as much as after you've finished and realize you want more. It is just good stuff. Strong CA effort and I recommend trying but a little pricey at full retail.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Tangy lemons and green apples wrapped in a firm mineral package that is quite good. Persistent and refreshing like a good sparkling wine should be. Easy on the palate.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Winery tasting. An 86% Chardonnay, 14% Pinot Noir blend. Lots of effervescence and very tiny bubbles. Very complex flavors and aromas with toast, citrus, brioche, and crisp apple. Wonderful rich, creamy mouthfeel and a long finish.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Lovely honeyed apple notes with yeasty notes. Some underlying stone fruits. The palate is rich, creamy, and delicious. Very tasty and with enough body to stand up to some bigger foods
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Dark golden color with honeysuckle, honey, and granny smith apple exploding out of the glass. The palate is rich and mouth filling. This is quite good and very unique. Easily recognizable tasted against champagne, cava, and prosecco. Not sure its fully worth the price tag, but it is delicious.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Schramsberg Tasting (Calistoga, CA): Full malolactic in used oak. Brioche and apple cider notes. Clearly an aged sparkler that comes off quite smoothly. Very good.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
An outstanding bottle of bubbly. Aggressive nose followed by smooth as silk, creamy midpalate. Finish is long and tasty with good toastiness. Can hold its own against the best vintage champagnes in terms of complexity and balance. My favorite from Schramsberg so far.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
enjoyed as part of 7 course wine pairing dinner with good friends and fellow oenophiles. Nose of apple, grapefruit, lemon tart, creme brulee hint of nuts. good tartness and minerality balance with apple pear lemon ginger and cinnomon, fine bubbles and lingering finish
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
11/24/2022 - mattdathan Likes this wine: 95 Points
Superb champagne! At almost 20 years old, this was a delight.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/6/2022 - Oregonnative Likes this wine: 95 Points
Wow sparkling. Signs of oxidation but not distracting on the palate. Apple, rich honey, pie crust and nice acidity with tine bubbles. Big hit w friends. Special bottle.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
10/9/2021 - sstein19 Likes this wine: 95 Points
Butterscotch in color. Nose of yeasty bread, a hint of orange, and caramel. Effervescent on entry with bread flavor and strong caramel apple. Very very well balanced! Great wine!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/11/2021 - dpolzien Likes this wine: 93 Points
Drinking so well right now, may be my new favorite domestic sparkler (Ultramarine BdB is waiting in the wings though.)
Loads of brioche, biscuit, and maybe even some Parmesan with a touch of sweetness on the finish. Paired well on Day 1 with Pizza and just as well on day 2 with Grilled Lobster. Ignore the 'best by 2020' dates, this easily has another 3+ years to go.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/16/2020 - eoinhharkins wrote: flawed
Slightly corked but still enough to ruin it
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/19/2019 - qtsam11 wrote: 94 Points
Oh yeah, this is good juice. Nutty and yeasty on the nose and through the palate, with the usual green apple. Acidity is perfect. Drinking great right now.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/19/2019 - bablues wrote: 95 Points
8th Annual Holiday Dinner and Cellar Raid - A Month Late (Naperville, IL): Part of wine dinner and cellar raid so did not take detailed notes. A Friend brought this to start things off before everyone arrived. This was one of the best sparkling wines I have ever tasted. All I could remember was the nutty/almond flavors that come through on Cristal. Great start to a great evening.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/22/2018 - jmoore431 wrote: 92 Points
Very hi-toned nose, almost pungent nose with pineapple and kiwi; very broad and almost creamy on the palate with a lactic quality; the palate is very nice with contrasting, complex qualities. The nose and palate are not very connected but overall it is a very interesting and pleasant quaff. A huge contrast to a '99 Philipponat Goisses tasted alongside.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/28/2018 - Glangley wrote: 95 Points
still has some time left although unclear it will get better
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/10/2017 - jnewman77 Likes this wine:
This is excellent, nothing else to say really; just a beautiful wine; nose with rich honeyed apple, ripe lemon, brioche, and a hint of spice. The palate is ripe and deep, but doesn't feel flat or heavy in the least. Finish lasts quite awhile... great bubbly, not much better than it out there.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
6/17/2017 - fizz wrote:
49th TWIGS Tasting (Terry and Natalie's (temporary) place): 86% Chardonnay, 14% Pinot Noir.
Mid straw. Biscuity, with mushrooms and apple. Palate is so creamy, balanced with a beautiful acid line. Yeasty, bready. Rich but controlled. The palate delivered much more than the aromas would suggest.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/9/2016 - DoubleD1969 wrote: 92 Points
Purchased at the winery in 2009. Lively effervescence with a fine mouse. Oxidative qualities - maize yellow or slightly lighter, caramel, nutty and fresh apples on the nose. On the palate, nice balance of sweetness and acidity like a bite of Golden Delicious apples. Drinks like a 25 year old vintage Champagne.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
3/20/2016 - Troon wrote: 92 Points
This was a really nice domestic sparkling. It had notes of green apple on the palate with a fresh finish. The style is a little different from Champagne, which worked for me. I didn't get as much toast or yeast. I think this would go great with apple or pear based desserts.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/11/2016 - jnewman77 Likes this wine:
Delicious bubbly; honey, ripe green apple, honeysuckle and lily, lemon zest. Beautiful, creamy, full bodied mouth feel thanks to the long lees aging. Great wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/31/2015 - John Fitz wrote:
Mo was having a bubbles day so, i had to take inventory to find the 5 Bottles she drank!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/24/2015 - mgstull Likes this wine: 94 Points
Mid straw. Elegant and toasty with apple, honey, toast, lemon curd. The citrus-tinged acidity is dead on and bracing. Fine bubbles. All-in, a top notch sparkler.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/19/2015 - jnewman77 Likes this wine:
Classic, delicious bubbly that can easily hold its own with any champagne I have had. Golden apple, honey, floral notes, and brioche. The palate is rich with flavors, yet remains taut and driven. Really outstanding stuff.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
8/19/2015 - Barry Notes Likes this wine: 94 Points
P/well chilled. My favorite domestic sparkler. Perfect Champagne style. Light straw/tan color with intense , long lasting, very tiny bubble stream. Yeasty on front changing to deep, intense, mouth watering fruit with ideal balance. Nothing off. Stunning stuff.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
7/25/2015 - schott Likes this wine: 93 Points
This is perhaps the 3rd time I have enjoyed this excellent sparkling wine. Light color, long lasting fine bubbles. Very elegant, light acid, soft, even finish.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
1/24/2015 - StefanAkiko Likes this wine: 93 Points
Epic bubbles (blinded) (Zorg's place, Umeå, Sweden): *WOTN*
Autolysis, round, broad, young nose.
First gulp: "Wow! This is made with umpa-umpa!" Even if the acids claw in on my tongue, I really like this. There is just so much going on in here. Citrus circus, balanced like a yoga master and: umpa-umpa-umpa!
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (4)
1/24/2015 - Livermore wrote: 90 Points
This is really good american bubbly. Nice crispy feel to it and a complexity I usually only find in good champagne.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/24/2014 - Hoopin365 Likes this wine: 95 Points
Drank on Christmas Eve - outstanding. Complex with long finish. Quite possibly my WOTY.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/14/2014 - ChicagoScot Likes this wine: 94 Points
Celebrating a pending wedding and an engagement with WPO friends -- great mouth and elegant finish. This juice never disappoints.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/21/2014 - ecola Likes this wine: 87 Points
Smells older than it actually is. Dusty aromas of caramel, sour dough bread, graham cracker, and subtle oxidation. Similar flavors with a creamy mouthfeel. Short finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/19/2014 - aaronwine Likes this wine: 94 Points
Second time having in past 30 days and third time in total. This is consistent bottle to bottle and is a wine that I don't think gets your attention as much while you are drinking it as much as after you've finished and realize you want more. It is just good stuff. Strong CA effort and I recommend trying but a little pricey at full retail.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/1/2014 - smphelps wrote: 92 Points
Tangy lemons and green apples wrapped in a firm mineral package that is quite good. Persistent and refreshing like a good sparkling wine should be. Easy on the palate.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/28/2013 - BigTex22 Likes this wine: 95 Points
Outstanding. Drank for Thanksgiving. EXCELLENT.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/30/2013 - wmccone54 wrote: 93 Points
Winery tasting. An 86% Chardonnay, 14% Pinot Noir blend. Lots of effervescence and very tiny bubbles. Very complex flavors and aromas with toast, citrus, brioche, and crisp apple. Wonderful rich, creamy mouthfeel and a long finish.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
10/29/2013 - jnewman77 Likes this wine:
Lovely honeyed apple notes with yeasty notes. Some underlying stone fruits. The palate is rich, creamy, and delicious. Very tasty and with enough body to stand up to some bigger foods
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
8/24/2013 - jnewman77 Likes this wine:
Dark golden color with honeysuckle, honey, and granny smith apple exploding out of the glass. The palate is rich and mouth filling. This is quite good and very unique. Easily recognizable tasted against champagne, cava, and prosecco. Not sure its fully worth the price tag, but it is delicious.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/7/2013 - acyso wrote: 95 Points
Schramsberg Tasting (Calistoga, CA): Full malolactic in used oak. Brioche and apple cider notes. Clearly an aged sparkler that comes off quite smoothly. Very good.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/24/2013 - Feindinger wrote: 96 Points
An outstanding bottle of bubbly. Aggressive nose followed by smooth as silk, creamy midpalate. Finish is long and tasty with good toastiness. Can hold its own against the best vintage champagnes in terms of complexity and balance. My favorite from Schramsberg so far.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/11/2013 - bobv Likes this wine: 93 Points
Very nice. My wife loved this Champagne. Super smooth.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/23/2013 - thejillibean Likes this wine: 95 Points
Like liquid toast and spiced butter, delicious!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/5/2013 - Dierenarts Likes this wine: 95 Points
enjoyed as part of 7 course wine pairing dinner with good friends and fellow oenophiles. Nose of apple, grapefruit, lemon tart, creme brulee hint of nuts. good tartness and minerality balance with apple pear lemon ginger and cinnomon, fine bubbles and lingering finish
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/31/2012 - DanH Likes this wine: 93 Points
Neutral, so good, tiny bit buttery, tiny bit acidic, tiny tiny little bubbles. This is a really nice wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/3/2012 - PSUSteve wrote:
Tasted at the winery. On the nose, grassy Brie with earth. On the palate, yeasty and toast. A little disjointed. Could use some time.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/1/2012 - GoBlue2002 wrote: 92 Points
Honeymoon Wine Tasting; 6/25/2012-7/3/2012 (California - Napa & Sonoma Counties): Tasted at Winery. 84% Chardonnay, 16% Pinot Noir. Golden yellow in color, with rich aromas of butter/toast, nuts, and honey. Crisp, dry, bright and possessing a lovely almond flavor with a long finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment