The producer who started Franciacorta designation. This is roughly 90/10 Chardonnay/Pinot noir.
Compared to the Majolini I opened a few months back, this is a bit more crisp. The best compliment I can give this wine is that it comes across as a non-descript champagne. It’s not overly fruity or too steely like some Franciacorta can be, it’s perfectly balanced for the style. No yeast. It’s fairly creamy, with peach, caramel dipped apple and a slightly brisk/savory finish (almond/walnut like, but not champagne-nutty). Semi-mineral driven finish. Good at the $30’ish price.
Cuvee bubbles and cheese pairing. As a Franciacorta, this was slightly lower effervescent than the Champagnes. It still was bright and plenty enjoyable. 60% pinot, 40% chardonnay yielded good fruit in cherries and raspberries and some fall spice. The pairing really sang: Comte, (a quintessential Champagne pairing), Marcona almonds, quince paste and smoked ham. Get ready for Thanksgiving!
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To me this is like the standard for Franciacorta. Perfectly balanced between primary, fruity, grapy flavours and yeasty lees derived ones. Nothing too complicated and refined here, just pure, honest quality. Fiercely foaming on pouring, spreading yellow and orchard fruit aromas in addition to the fresh grape notes. Easy and friendly, no hard edges. Acidity is modest; brut without being extremely dry. A slight bitter, almond touch accompanies the toasty side of the palate. Friendly indeed for a wide range of foods, exactly because it is not overcomplicated and carefully balanced. The reference by which the others are measured.
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A blend of 90% Chardonnay and 10% Pinot Nero. Aged at least 24 months on the lees. The nose is clean, with apple, pear, citrus, unripe white peach and sourdough bread. The palate is dry, clean, consistent with the nose, with medium (+) acidity. The alcohol is medium at 12.5%. Fresh, with medium (+) intensity and length, with a clean, fruit-driven, mineral finish. Quite pleasant and food friendly, it pairs well with a wide variety of foods, including Mexican tostadas and seabass. Ready to drink, not intended for further aging.
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This is apparently the grandfather of the region. And I guess in the 1950 he had the thought of what if we make it like Champagne? And they did it in 1961, hence to hommage on the label. Berlucchi produces 25% of all the Franciacorta produced. But that isn't saying huge because the requirements are restrictive.
Not all estate owned fruit but a combination of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir and then 24 months of disgorgement.
Golden and honeyed on the nose and palate. Crisp, that is really quite good with its golden pear fruit character to it.
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Champagne style sparkling wines, tasted blind: Bery yeasty nose intermixed with apples. Foamy palate, lots of bruised apple agsin but not much more. Short finish. Not convinced here. Confirms my previous encounter.
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Popped from a half bottle. Subtle fruity nose. Medium bodied, dry, rather fruity, a bit unfocused apple and citrus, good acidic bite and nice mousse. Nice basic sparkling but nothing that stands out. A bit overpriced.
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Off the by the glass list at Spinassa's sister bar since I arrive a bit early for dinner. Almost a sweet note to begin with that is balanced with some tart. Bit of lemon peel. The bubbles are very obvious here and on the coarser side. There is a point right in the mid-palate that I enjoyed, but overall not my favorite set of bubbles. The champagne that we had after blew it out of the water.
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NJ Supper Club December Dinner (Ravello by Toscano - Robbinsville, NJ): Nice light brioche, muted fruit on nose. Nice Mousse with very strong minerality, chalky. Medium body, good acidity. Just not my style, was just missing some complexity and fruit. Maybe needs some time to develop the complexity.
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Franciacorta Berlucchi 61 Brut was among my three favorites Franciacorta while traveling in Italy two months ago. This bottle is very close to the locals.
Champagne style sparkling wines, tasted blind: Nose of citrus, not much more, not bad but rather simple, entry level. Same on palate. Hmm, blend this with Aperol and you have an apéro winner, but by itself?
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A ripe but tasty version of a BdB styled sparkler. A very good job done by this wine. It's definitely a warmer climate wine, but could hold its own against most Cremant or NV champagne, but definitely shows its youth and shouldn't be mistaken for vintage champagne. Mostly citrus, and brioche here with a touch of Orchard fruit. Day without any doubts.
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A blend of 90% Chardonnay and 10% Pinot Nero. Aged at least 24 months on the lees. The nose is clean, with apple, pear, citrus and some toast. The palate is dry, clean, consistent with the nose, with medium (+) acidity. The alcohol is medium at 12.5%. Fresh, with a medium (+), palate cleansing finish. Quite pleasant and food friendly. Drink now, not intended for further aging.
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From magnum--bought late 2013. Very fresh, floral, but somehow little besides. No yeast or real fruit power. Bubbles showing little persistence. Seems almost too young. A bit expensive for a wine that tastes to me only just above entry level.
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Bollinger Tasting (Sunfish Cellars, St. Paul, MN): Light gold color. 2oz pour. 75%C & 25%PN. Subtle yeast, becomes fruit forward and a bit floral in the glass, green apple, fresh cut pear. The palate is light, mild yeast, orchard fruit, with some mineral on the finish. Fairly light bodied, more fruit than anything else, but a serviceable sparkler. Personally I'd go with a number of different domestics instead.
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Light yellow. Fine bready nose with distinct fruitiness. Creamy, fine bubbles, ok carriage from entry to M finish. Distinct acids and a restrained composition. Just as good as any Champagne.
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Almost canary yellow color. Tight bubbles with a light butterscotch to the nose that melds into a light toasty yeast. Light green apple up front is a little fizzy. Cleans up into a nice yeasty note and cleans clean. Delightful every day bubbly that has the essence of a prosecco without the vague sweetness.
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Slightly aggressive mousse, large bubbles. Exotic aromatics for a Champagne blend: heavy smoke, almost a barbecue-like quality, pear drop fruit. Medium bodied, fresh, candy fruit, pear drops again. Short finish. Far from bad but not worth the money. There's proper Charlie to be had if you pay 15% more.
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Nice, although unremarkable nose of citrus, toast and whipped cream. Medium bodied with good acidity and a nice, thick mousse that really coats the palate before disappearing somewhat quickly. Quite distinct citrus note on the palate, eventhough fruitwise the wine is pretty discreet. Bright, fresh and balanced Franciacorta that is definitely good for having a glass every now and then but not really interesting or delicious enough to warrant second or third glasses.
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11/20/2023 - sjfunkenhauser wrote: 89 Points
Light gold colour.
Pronounced aromas of ripe yellow apple, pear, grapefruit pith, quince, honey, seashells, baked bread, lemon zest and white blossoms.
Pronounced palate.
Medium body, medium (+) acidity, creamy mousse, long finish.
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8/5/2023 - Decanting Queen Likes this wine: 89 Points
I would take this over Prosecco any day. Very dry and mineral. Pleasant fruit, good acidity. Not champagne but maybe the next best thing.
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3/17/2023 - Bgillette wrote:
I liked it. More creamy than acidic/ crisp. Good value for price point.
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12/31/2022 - Ben Christiansen wrote:
On day two it just kinda is.
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12/29/2022 - Shay.Aldriedge Likes this wine: 90 Points
The producer who started Franciacorta designation. This is roughly 90/10 Chardonnay/Pinot noir.
Compared to the Majolini I opened a few months back, this is a bit more crisp. The best compliment I can give this wine is that it comes across as a non-descript champagne. It’s not overly fruity or too steely like some Franciacorta can be, it’s perfectly balanced for the style. No yeast. It’s fairly creamy, with peach, caramel dipped apple and a slightly brisk/savory finish (almond/walnut like, but not champagne-nutty). Semi-mineral driven finish. Good at the $30’ish price.
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10/30/2022 - Bubbly Babes Likes this wine: 89 Points
Cuvee bubbles and cheese pairing.
As a Franciacorta, this was slightly lower effervescent than the Champagnes. It still was bright and plenty enjoyable. 60% pinot, 40% chardonnay yielded good fruit in cherries and raspberries and some fall spice. The pairing really sang: Comte, (a quintessential Champagne pairing), Marcona almonds, quince paste and smoked ham.
Get ready for Thanksgiving!
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7/26/2022 - Double-A Likes this wine: 88 Points
Lemon pastries, green apple, and mineral nose. Frothy, fresh and spiced palate; good, balance, texture and length.
3.5/5
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5/3/2022 - Nyllet wrote: 87 Points
Lemon, pineapple, sourdough bread, fennel and honey. Complex and pure.
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2/27/2022 - Alexhare wrote: 86 Points
Franciacorta molto classico, in cui emergono le note fruttate e minerali.
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11/25/2021 - MC2 Wines wrote:
Return to Piemonte!; 11/25/2021-12/4/2021 (Castello di Sinio, Alba, other various locations): Starter bubbles for the evening. These are more high acid needs food style of wine which I suppose is a lot of Italian wine in general. Easy to drink and made in champagnois style but not champagne or really in that league.
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7/5/2021 - dranshte wrote: 91 Points
Smooth tastes of chardonnay goodness, with bright acids
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6/11/2021 - benny-g Likes this wine: 91 Points
To me this is like the standard for Franciacorta. Perfectly balanced between primary, fruity, grapy flavours and yeasty lees derived ones. Nothing too complicated and refined here, just pure, honest quality. Fiercely foaming on pouring, spreading yellow and orchard fruit aromas in addition to the fresh grape notes. Easy and friendly, no hard edges. Acidity is modest; brut without being extremely dry. A slight bitter, almond touch accompanies the toasty side of the palate. Friendly indeed for a wide range of foods, exactly because it is not overcomplicated and carefully balanced.
The reference by which the others are measured.
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5/5/2021 - TannicBeast Likes this wine: 90 Points
A blend of 90% Chardonnay and 10% Pinot Nero. Aged at least 24 months on the lees. The nose is clean, with apple, pear, citrus, unripe white peach and sourdough bread. The palate is dry, clean, consistent with the nose, with medium (+) acidity. The alcohol is medium at 12.5%. Fresh, with medium (+) intensity and length, with a clean, fruit-driven, mineral finish. Quite pleasant and food friendly, it pairs well with a wide variety of foods, including Mexican tostadas and seabass. Ready to drink, not intended for further aging.
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1/27/2021 - Ben Christiansen wrote:
This is the Rose actually. Gosh darn that smells good. Just a little funky on the palate.
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11/14/2020 - AlphaMikeFoxtrot wrote: 88 Points
Very autolytic/yeast focused. White flowers, apples, pears. Nice mousse, good acidity. Decent bubbles at $35.
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8/31/2020 - Ben Christiansen wrote:
This is apparently the grandfather of the region. And I guess in the 1950 he had the thought of what if we make it like Champagne? And they did it in 1961, hence to hommage on the label. Berlucchi produces 25% of all the Franciacorta produced. But that isn't saying huge because the requirements are restrictive.
Not all estate owned fruit but a combination of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir and then 24 months of disgorgement.
Golden and honeyed on the nose and palate. Crisp, that is really quite good with its golden pear fruit character to it.
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2/28/2020 - Collector1855 wrote: 87 Points
Champagne style sparkling wines, tasted blind: Bery yeasty nose intermixed with apples. Foamy palate, lots of bruised apple agsin but not much more. Short finish. Not convinced here. Confirms my previous encounter.
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1/24/2020 - Nyllet wrote: 87 Points
Yeast, lemon, green apples and some floral notes. Great acidity, steely aftertaste. Nice!
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10/20/2019 - Justinagogo Likes this wine: 90 Points
年份未知
在喝过很多白中白之后,可以一鼻子定位这支以黑皮诺的红果香气为主,刚开瓶闻香是闻不到Toast气息的,咽下后余味里才带出来Sour dough香气,传统法酿造;杯中逐渐向室温靠拢再闻直接就是Yeast气息;气泡充沛,相当复杂度,喜欢
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10/4/2019 - Henman Likes this wine: 87 Points
Popped from a half bottle. Subtle fruity nose. Medium bodied, dry, rather fruity, a bit unfocused apple and citrus, good acidic bite and nice mousse. Nice basic sparkling but nothing that stands out. A bit overpriced.
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10/2/2019 - maxima wrote: 87 Points
Simple et sans intéret, on passe!
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6/1/2019 - MC2 Wines wrote:
Off the by the glass list at Spinassa's sister bar since I arrive a bit early for dinner. Almost a sweet note to begin with that is balanced with some tart. Bit of lemon peel. The bubbles are very obvious here and on the coarser side. There is a point right in the mid-palate that I enjoyed, but overall not my favorite set of bubbles. The champagne that we had after blew it out of the water.
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12/15/2018 - ericindc wrote: 86 Points
NJ Supper Club December Dinner (Ravello by Toscano - Robbinsville, NJ): Nice light brioche, muted fruit on nose. Nice Mousse with very strong minerality, chalky. Medium body, good acidity. Just not my style, was just missing some complexity and fruit. Maybe needs some time to develop the complexity.
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9/18/2018 - libero wrote: 89 Points
Franciacorta Berlucchi 61 Brut was among my three favorites Franciacorta while traveling in Italy two months ago. This bottle is very close to the locals.
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5/22/2018 - Collector1855 wrote: 87 Points
Champagne style sparkling wines, tasted blind: Nose of citrus, not much more, not bad but rather simple, entry level. Same on palate. Hmm, blend this with Aperol and you have an apéro winner, but by itself?
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8/13/2017 - MattMauldin Likes this wine:
Society of Wine Educators Conference- Wines of Lombardy Seminar 8/10 (non-blind): Aromas of wheat straw, honeysuckle flower, Asian pear, yeast. Succulent citrus fruit on the palate with flower and hints of slate minerality. Racy acid and full lush texture. Nice finish. Solid.
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6/12/2017 - Champagneinhand Likes this wine: 88 Points
A ripe but tasty version of a BdB styled sparkler. A very good job done by this wine. It's definitely a warmer climate wine, but could hold its own against most Cremant or NV champagne, but definitely shows its youth and shouldn't be mistaken for vintage champagne. Mostly citrus, and brioche here with a touch of Orchard fruit. Day without any doubts.
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12/16/2016 - TannicBeast Likes this wine: 90 Points
A blend of 90% Chardonnay and 10% Pinot Nero. Aged at least 24 months on the lees. The nose is clean, with apple, pear, citrus and some toast. The palate is dry, clean, consistent with the nose, with medium (+) acidity. The alcohol is medium at 12.5%. Fresh, with a medium (+), palate cleansing finish. Quite pleasant and food friendly. Drink now, not intended for further aging.
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8/23/2015 - rwpalmer wrote: 84 Points
From magnum--bought late 2013. Very fresh, floral, but somehow little besides. No yeast or real fruit power. Bubbles showing little persistence. Seems almost too young. A bit expensive for a wine that tastes to me only just above entry level.
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12/18/2014 - rocknroller wrote: 87 Points
Bollinger Tasting (Sunfish Cellars, St. Paul, MN): Light gold color. 2oz pour. 75%C & 25%PN. Subtle yeast, becomes fruit forward and a bit floral in the glass, green apple, fresh cut pear. The palate is light, mild yeast, orchard fruit, with some mineral on the finish. Fairly light bodied, more fruit than anything else, but a serviceable sparkler. Personally I'd go with a number of different domestics instead.
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10/25/2014 - olracx62 wrote: 88 Points
nice everyday bollicine from chardonnay. Not that much complex but well balanced. Poor minerality. Better served cold
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5/9/2014 - StefanAkiko Likes this wine: 89 Points
Light yellow.
Fine bready nose with distinct fruitiness.
Creamy, fine bubbles, ok carriage from entry to M finish. Distinct acids and a restrained composition.
Just as good as any Champagne.
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3/31/2014 - Massimo Alessandria wrote: 85 Points
Poca complessità. Buoni sentori, didattica la crosta di pane ma poco altro. Un buon bicchiere, se si vuole una Franciacorta facile ed accessibile.
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2/27/2014 - AV2012 wrote: 77 Points
From a 0,375. Simple, fizzy, nothing special to it. (C)
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2/16/2014 - europat55 wrote: 88 Points
Euto-Themed Lunch - Southern Italy (Donato Enoteca, Redwood City, CA): Light color. Refreshing nose with some caracter (B+/B++). Modest, smooth palate (B+).
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7/7/2013 - Ecb1456 Likes this wine: 88 Points
Almost canary yellow color. Tight bubbles with a light butterscotch to the nose that melds into a light toasty yeast. Light green apple up front is a little fizzy. Cleans up into a nice yeasty note and cleans clean. Delightful every day bubbly that has the essence of a prosecco without the vague sweetness.
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5/16/2013 - Timbalimba wrote: 86 Points
Slightly aggressive mousse, large bubbles. Exotic aromatics for a Champagne blend: heavy smoke, almost a barbecue-like quality, pear drop fruit. Medium bodied, fresh, candy fruit, pear drops again. Short finish. Far from bad but not worth the money. There's proper Charlie to be had if you pay 15% more.
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6/9/2012 - olracx62 wrote: 88 Points
Plenty of bubbles in pale yellow reflections. Good Franciacort, mainly chardonnay. Well balanced minerality. Drink very cold
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3/24/2012 - Giggs wrote: 87 Points
No. 246 (Decatur, GA): Baked pear, lightly toasty but stops short of being doughy, bright citrus throughout. Fine mousse and texture.
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12/10/2011 - hubas wrote: 86 Points
Light and refreshing some flower notes, Not very complex.
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6/30/2011 - kuumies wrote: 87 Points
Nice, although unremarkable nose of citrus, toast and whipped cream. Medium bodied with good acidity and a nice, thick mousse that really coats the palate before disappearing somewhat quickly. Quite distinct citrus note on the palate, eventhough fruitwise the wine is pretty discreet. Bright, fresh and balanced Franciacorta that is definitely good for having a glass every now and then but not really interesting or delicious enough to warrant second or third glasses.
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3/4/2011 - NCO wrote:
Excellent Franciacorta!
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