Vivid and pungent Granny Smith apple on the nose. Clean palate, creamy mousse. Bubbles don’t last long but you’ll drink this one fast anyways. Very decent wine but not sure the QPR is there. Sure it’s the cheapest price point you’ll ever find for GC Champagne, but for $10-20 more you can get much better juice. For $10-20 less you can get some incredible crémant that rivals this wine.
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Tart. Citrus. Hint of that Brut dosage sweetness with airtime and nuttiness too. Very good with sushi, outperforming a nice 15’ Charmes Meursault with the food.
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No formal notes. Brought to a larger gathering, shared as a starter. Bright lean citrus that leans more towards lime and pear as it comes up in temp. Really delivers at a $40 price point.
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Some Fine Older Bordeaux and Cabs (Capitalle Grille, Mpls, MN): Light gold color. Drank 1 glass over 30 minutes. I have always enjoyed this cuvee. Nice citrus on the nose bolstered by wet stone minerality, fairly bright. The palate is lighter bodied, a bit leaner with citrus, tangy, citrus pith and more chalk-like minerality. I'm surprised to see no recent notes from anyone other than tasters in our area.
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WTDS at Tilia: Rhones Among Others (3/2/17): Light gold color. Drank 1 glass over 30 minutes plus. Really nice opening wine.l Plenty of pear nd apple fruits up front and on the palate, bright minerality that I really enjoy, crisp with a vibrancy that caries through the finish. 91+ to 92pts.
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There might be some btl variation or maybe this just needed more time to relax after its arrival in late October from CA via UPS? Whichever the case, this btl was more on par with btls I bought and drank a couple years ago and really quite good! 2 more left from this recent batch and I'm more encouraged now.
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Chef's Choice Dinner in the North Loop: A Night of Burgundy (David's Place, Mpls): Light gold color. Drank 1 glass over 30 minutes. This was in fine form as usual. I always find this good, and sometimes it is really striking. Tonight was one of those nights where it seemed to be on a little different level. There was a very appealing and distinct peach note on the nose; a little less so on the palate; along with the requisite lemon chiffon and pear. This comes off very refined always. Nice minerality and yeast too. Excellent.
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1992 & Older Napa Cabs - Blind - With a Few Ringers (Siggy & Jenny's Place, Mpls, MN): Light gold color. Drank 1 glass over 40 minutes. Given how much i like this, I really should make a bit more of an effort to get some. I've yet to be disappointed in a bottle. I enjoy the elegance and focus, very clean and fresh with nice pear, mild chalk minerality and touches of citrus on the back end. Very good again.
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Brought to a dinner, shared with a large group of friends. Pear, red apple, nice dry, crisp finish. First time with this producer. Punches way above its price point.
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Annual Tasting Group Holiday Party (Il Foro, Mpls, MN): Light gold color. Drank 1 glass over 15 minutes. I thoroughly enjoyed this yet again. I love the elegance and purity with pear, orchard fruit, crystalline minerality and wonderful balance. My note from 12/23/14 is was largely consistent with tonight. Just a lovely bottle.
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Ok, I'm a total slut for this wine. Can't keep my hands off of them. Just bought 4 more and if they reload, I'll buy more again for spring shipping. Yeasty nose, bold, flavorful yet intellectual. A big lively mouthful of delicious champagne.
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My, hands down, favorite $40 champagne. Easily drinks more like $75 plus. Never disappoints. I should be buying this by the case and I will, buying 4-6 btls at time going forward. Proper storage is an issue for me.
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A Tour Through France Tuesday at Tilia (Tilia, Mpls): Pale gold color. Drank 1+ glass over 30 minutes. This was delightfully good. A precise and distinct Champagne, stylish and elegant. The nose has pretty red apple, green orchard fruit, just a touch of floral perfume. The palate follows suit with such precision, the fruit is red apple, light pear, with tasteful yeast and a very fresh minerality. This comes off lively with good depth, but not heavy, very crisp and quite fresh. I'll be on the look out for this one. 92+pts.
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One of my WOTN if not THE WOTN for me. This had it all, richness yet crisp with an array of flavors from apples to ginger to a pungent minerality.Dry but not austere. This had verb and is a gutsy yet elegant mouthful of Champagne. Blind I would have guessed this was a highend btl like DOM or Ruinart Vintage. Paid $40 and drinks like $100 plus.
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A very bready nose with a bit of cream. The palate is also primarily bread but also a bit of yeast and a hint of fruit towards the end. Bone dry with medium acidity. Good but could use a touch more complexity.
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PnP: This is my kind of champagne. Really dry and really high acid. Very much a food wine. Pear on the nose, but not much else. On the palate, very yeasty/bready with some pear. 91
After an hour: it's kind of falling apart. The acid is getting off-balance and kind of awkward. Still nice, but adjusted score to 87.
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The nose is somewhat underwhelming, yet reminiscint of cinnamon toast crunch and spiced apple cider. The palate opens with poached pears and apples, baking spices, as well as interesting note of cocoa bean. The mid-palate is relatively flat and turns slightly sour, but the finish recovers with focused lemon citrus components. It has medium body with average length. Overall this is satisfactory but rather unexciting, and would undoubtedly benefit from both more power and more nuance. R&M 84
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Pale golden yellow. The nose was full of yeast and brioche with some green apple. Aromatics are quite striking. Medium bodied, with good intensity. The mid palate gets a good blast of citrus fruit and the high acidity keeps everything bright. Some pear flavors manifest on the back of the palate and linger through the lengthy finish. Served from Magnum.
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NY/NJ WLTV Offline at Anthony Davids (Anthony David's, Hoboken): Pretty nose of brioche, caramel and vanilla. Similar flavors on the palate with some additional notes of green apple. Some minerality with medium high to high acidity. A bit short on the finish.
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Taste: apple, Asian pear, star fruit, fresh baked bread, and a hint of lemon.
Overall: This wine is doing quite well since the last time I had it. I'd even say it has improved. It's a wonderful food wine that has great acidity, structure, and balance. With good storage I could see this lasting 5+ years and beyond...
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This is a great value BdB. Apples, lemon zest, mineral, just the right amount of toast, along with a touch of earthiness and smokiness that adds some welcome body to the midpalate. Very nice for the money.
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What a lovely Blanc de Blanc. With scents of apples and freshly baked bread on the nose this was an outstanding accompanyment to Columbia River Sturgeon Sabayon with Sterling Royal Caviar and chive at Eleven Madison park. There were lingering flavors of green apples and kiwi and a lovely minerality that persisted on an elegant and precise finish.
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Italian bakery nose! Lovely pear, grape, and white cranberry on the palate! Just in case I chose the wrong listing...I'm talking about the Claude Genet a Chouilly Blanc de Blanc Grand Cru. I love this champagne!!!
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NYC Sine Qua Non Dinner at Eleven Madison Park (New York): This followed the Gaston Chiquet and was very different to me. I detected nutty, almond favors and it was a little tight but still complex. This was enjoyable but not exactly my favorite style in a Champagne.
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4/2/2024 - stockett Likes this wine: 89 Points
Vivid and pungent Granny Smith apple on the nose. Clean palate, creamy mousse. Bubbles don’t last long but you’ll drink this one fast anyways. Very decent wine but not sure the QPR is there. Sure it’s the cheapest price point you’ll ever find for GC Champagne, but for $10-20 more you can get much better juice. For $10-20 less you can get some incredible crémant that rivals this wine.
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12/31/2023 - sduraybito wrote: 90 Points
Agree with notes here. Good concentration, nothing off-putting. Dani and Christina bought for Xmas 2022. Had it at Caroline's NYE.
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9/24/2023 - ChDonath Likes this wine:
Unfortunately had to drink from plastic cups so now review. But definitely pleasant to drink, nice fruit and acidity and good balanced dosage.
Definitely necessary to revisit properly.
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1/4/2022 - Nate Dauphin wrote: 91 Points
Great value with the grower producers. Love that this used to be the house Champagne at Eleven Madison Park.
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10/3/2021 - perwendin wrote: 89 Points
Nice balance between acidity and fruit (green apples). Drinks well now.
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5/14/2021 - Pinot_Geek Likes this wine: 91 Points
Tart. Citrus. Hint of that Brut dosage sweetness with airtime and nuttiness too. Very good with sushi, outperforming a nice 15’ Charmes Meursault with the food.
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8/21/2019 - oropeza Likes this wine:
Floral / perfume on the nose. Citrus in the mouth, moving into a good, round body and decent acidity. That nose... oh man that nose.
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8/12/2019 - Ben Christiansen wrote:
Lots of cream and toast on the nose. Maybe a little bit higher dosage I would guess.
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8/1/2018 - Miss T Likes this wine: 84 Points
Tiny small bubbles, heavy nose of alcohol, bright caramel color, smooth finish
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2/12/2018 - Bellissimo Likes this wine:
No formal notes. Brought to a larger gathering, shared as a starter. Bright lean citrus that leans more towards lime and pear as it comes up in temp. Really delivers at a $40 price point.
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2/12/2018 - rocknroller wrote: 91 Points
Some Fine Older Bordeaux and Cabs (Capitalle Grille, Mpls, MN): Light gold color. Drank 1 glass over 30 minutes. I have always enjoyed this cuvee. Nice citrus on the nose bolstered by wet stone minerality, fairly bright. The palate is lighter bodied, a bit leaner with citrus, tangy, citrus pith and more chalk-like minerality. I'm surprised to see no recent notes from anyone other than tasters in our area.
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5/21/2017 - rocknroller wrote: 91 Points
Monthly Tasting Group: Champagne and Fried Chicken Taste Off (Brad & Marcia's Place, St. Paul, MN): Small glass. Same bottle as Chablis28, what he said. Solid, pear, light toast, balanced and tasty. 91+pts.
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5/21/2017 - chablis28 wrote: 91 Points
Concentrated, extroverted, robustly fruited and very tasty.
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3/2/2017 - rocknroller wrote: 91 Points
WTDS at Tilia: Rhones Among Others (3/2/17): Light gold color. Drank 1 glass over 30 minutes plus. Really nice opening wine.l Plenty of pear nd apple fruits up front and on the palate, bright minerality that I really enjoy, crisp with a vibrancy that caries through the finish. 91+ to 92pts.
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1/14/2017 - chablis28 wrote: 92 Points
There might be some btl variation or maybe this just needed more time to relax after its arrival in late October from CA via UPS? Whichever the case, this btl was more on par with btls I bought and drank a couple years ago and really quite good! 2 more left from this recent batch and I'm more encouraged now.
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1/14/2017 - rocknroller wrote: 92 Points
Chef's Choice Dinner in the North Loop: A Night of Burgundy (David's Place, Mpls): Light gold color. Drank 1 glass over 30 minutes. This was in fine form as usual. I always find this good, and sometimes it is really striking. Tonight was one of those nights where it seemed to be on a little different level. There was a very appealing and distinct peach note on the nose; a little less so on the palate; along with the requisite lemon chiffon and pear. This comes off very refined always. Nice minerality and yeast too. Excellent.
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12/18/2016 - rocknroller wrote: 91 Points
1992 & Older Napa Cabs - Blind - With a Few Ringers (Siggy & Jenny's Place, Mpls, MN): Light gold color. Drank 1 glass over 40 minutes. Given how much i like this, I really should make a bit more of an effort to get some. I've yet to be disappointed in a bottle. I enjoy the elegance and focus, very clean and fresh with nice pear, mild chalk minerality and touches of citrus on the back end. Very good again.
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12/18/2016 - chablis28 wrote: 90 Points
This also came with me to the 92 & older CA Cab dinner and showed very well as usual.
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11/13/2016 - chablis28 wrote: 91 Points
Showed much much better than the first btl I may have opened too quickly after shipping or just some variation.
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11/13/2016 - rocknroller wrote: 92 Points
Double Blind 1990 Bordeaux with a Big Infusion of Show Stealing Old Napa (Jason and Tracy's, Mpls, MN): Light golden color. Small pour over 15 minutes. Consistent with previous notes, a style I very much enjoy, very pure, elegant, clean with nice pear and freshness with just the right amount of chalk on the mineral profile.
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11/4/2016 - chablis28 wrote: 87 Points
Not as good as previous btls. Seemed a smidge less fresh, less bright and a little flat on opening. Hoping next btl is back in the groove!
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12/13/2015 - Bellissimo Likes this wine:
Brought to a dinner, shared with a large group of friends. Pear, red apple, nice dry, crisp finish. First time with this producer. Punches way above its price point.
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12/13/2015 - chablis28 wrote: 93 Points
As always, I love this wine and appreciate Matt bringing it! This, the basic LeGras and the Fourny are my favorite Sub $50 champagnes.
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12/13/2015 - rocknroller wrote: 92 Points
Annual Tasting Group Holiday Party (Il Foro, Mpls, MN): Light gold color. Drank 1 glass over 15 minutes. I thoroughly enjoyed this yet again. I love the elegance and purity with pear, orchard fruit, crystalline minerality and wonderful balance. My note from 12/23/14 is was largely consistent with tonight. Just a lovely bottle.
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11/22/2015 - chablis28 wrote: 93 Points
David's btl tonight and delighted to see it show up as I'm out of mine and its difficult to source.
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7/31/2015 - chablis28 wrote: 93 Points
One of my "go to" Champagnes. Always stellar and especially for $40 I paid for it.
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3/15/2015 - JOsgood wrote: 92 Points
Really tasty stuff. A fine mousse with a rich Chardonnay flavor on the palate. Fine grip and finish. Lovely QPR.
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3/10/2015 - chablis28 wrote: 93 Points
Another great overachieving Btl. Buy this in any qty you can afford.
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1/17/2015 - chablis28 wrote: 93 Points
Ok, I'm a total slut for this wine. Can't keep my hands off of them. Just bought 4 more and if they reload, I'll buy more again for spring shipping. Yeasty nose, bold, flavorful yet intellectual. A big lively mouthful of delicious champagne.
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12/23/2014 - chablis28 wrote: 93 Points
My, hands down, favorite $40 champagne. Easily drinks more like $75 plus. Never disappoints. I should be buying this by the case and I will, buying 4-6 btls at time going forward. Proper storage is an issue for me.
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12/23/2014 - rocknroller wrote: 92 Points
A Tour Through France Tuesday at Tilia (Tilia, Mpls): Pale gold color. Drank 1+ glass over 30 minutes. This was delightfully good. A precise and distinct Champagne, stylish and elegant. The nose has pretty red apple, green orchard fruit, just a touch of floral perfume. The palate follows suit with such precision, the fruit is red apple, light pear, with tasteful yeast and a very fresh minerality. This comes off lively with good depth, but not heavy, very crisp and quite fresh. I'll be on the look out for this one. 92+pts.
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12/16/2014 - oropeza Likes this wine: 88 Points
Floral nose. Light lemon in the mouth with some marshmallow and decent acidity.
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5/21/2014 - chablis28 wrote: 93 Points
One of my WOTN if not THE WOTN for me. This had it all, richness yet crisp with an array of flavors from apples to ginger to a pungent minerality.Dry but not austere. This had verb and is a gutsy yet elegant mouthful of Champagne. Blind I would have guessed this was a highend btl like DOM or Ruinart Vintage. Paid $40 and drinks like $100 plus.
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12/31/2013 - David_T wrote: 88 Points
A very bready nose with a bit of cream. The palate is also primarily bread but also a bit of yeast and a hint of fruit towards the end. Bone dry with medium acidity. Good but could use a touch more complexity.
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1/9/2013 - KyleMittskus Likes this wine: 87 Points
PnP: This is my kind of champagne. Really dry and really high acid. Very much a food wine. Pear on the nose, but not much else. On the palate, very yeasty/bready with some pear. 91
After an hour: it's kind of falling apart. The acid is getting off-balance and kind of awkward. Still nice, but adjusted score to 87.
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12/15/2012 - prof b wrote: 89 Points
Tenure Celebration: A nice start to the evening. A light bodied and friendly glass of bubbles with clear notes of yeast and bread dough.
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2/6/2012 - DRob wrote:
A blend from 2005 and 2006 vintages, lemon meringe and dried toast
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1/31/2012 - prof b wrote:
very enjoyable, didn't last long enough to take notes.
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12/23/2011 - jeff nowak wrote: 89 Points
pleasant, but hardly displaying much depth. i understand this is eleven madison park's house champs. moderate QPR.
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10/19/2011 - Rob and Meg wrote: 84 Points
The nose is somewhat underwhelming, yet reminiscint of cinnamon toast crunch and spiced apple cider. The palate opens with poached pears and apples, baking spices, as well as interesting note of cocoa bean. The mid-palate is relatively flat and turns slightly sour, but the finish recovers with focused lemon citrus components. It has medium body with average length. Overall this is satisfactory but rather unexciting, and would undoubtedly benefit from both more power and more nuance. R&M 84
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9/9/2011 - jorge48 wrote: 88 Points
Sipped this at Eleven Madison Park avec Aline et Rodrigo Betti. Crisp and acid, but lacking much flavor or structure.
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7/25/2011 - Anthony Lombardi wrote:
Pale golden yellow. The nose was full of yeast and brioche with some green apple. Aromatics are quite striking. Medium bodied, with good intensity. The mid palate gets a good blast of citrus fruit and the high acidity keeps everything bright. Some pear flavors manifest on the back of the palate and linger through the lengthy finish. Served from Magnum.
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12/28/2010 - amgryger wrote:
NY/NJ WLTV Offline at Anthony Davids (Anthony David's, Hoboken): Pretty nose of brioche, caramel and vanilla. Similar flavors on the palate with some additional notes of green apple. Some minerality with medium high to high acidity. A bit short on the finish.
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11/20/2010 - paulmase wrote: 91 Points
Baked bread pear & mineral on the nose. Same flavors on the palate with a hint of citrus & acid. Nice BdB good value 91pts.
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10/23/2010 - KC Bloodlines wrote:
I could drink this wine all day long.
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9/21/2010 - jfkwines wrote:
Said it drank alot better, first bottle had to be flawed
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5/14/2010 - Kirk Grant wrote: 91 Points
Color: Light yellow
Smell: Biscuit, banana, and yellow apple
Taste: apple, Asian pear, star fruit, fresh baked bread, and a hint of lemon.
Overall: This wine is doing quite well since the last time I had it. I'd even say it has improved. It's a wonderful food wine that has great acidity, structure, and balance. With good storage I could see this lasting 5+ years and beyond...
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3/8/2010 - amateurwino wrote:
Lillian/Antica Terra Lunch with Maggie Harrison and Nate Ready (NYC (Eleven Madison Park)): Tasted but no note kept. A nice starter to the Lillian event.
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8/24/2009 - Haltermr wrote: 90 Points
This is a great value BdB. Apples, lemon zest, mineral, just the right amount of toast, along with a touch of earthiness and smokiness that adds some welcome body to the midpalate.
Very nice for the money.
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5/8/2009 - Kirk Grant wrote: 90 Points
What a lovely Blanc de Blanc. With scents of apples and freshly baked bread on the nose this was an outstanding accompanyment to Columbia River Sturgeon Sabayon with Sterling Royal Caviar and chive at Eleven Madison park. There were lingering flavors of green apples and kiwi and a lovely minerality that persisted on an elegant and precise finish.
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2/21/2009 - jjmabaseb wrote: 90 Points
Apple cider nose; apples, honey, bread dough; very delicious
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1/23/2009 - al-Zabba wrote:
Italian bakery nose! Lovely pear, grape, and white cranberry on the palate! Just in case I chose the wrong listing...I'm talking about the Claude Genet a Chouilly Blanc de Blanc Grand Cru. I love this champagne!!!
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9/12/2008 - Siggy wrote: 88 Points
Lunch w/ Chris @ Eleven Madison Park. Ordered by the glass. Tight, crisp, and just a touch austere. Good acidity and minerality.
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7/19/2008 - nicu2001 wrote: 89 Points
NYC Sine Qua Non Dinner at Eleven Madison Park (New York): This followed the Gaston Chiquet and was very different to me. I detected nutty, almond favors and it was a little tight but still complex. This was enjoyable but not exactly my favorite style in a Champagne.
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1/15/2008 - winefool wrote: 91 Points
Broadridge AAR (Eleven Madison Park): Very nice grower BdB. Great tiny bubbles with good chalky minerality, acidity, and bright white fruit.
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