Sadly, my last bottle but boy did it go out with a bang. Candied lemon, brioche, and power. Really fine with a good mousse and bead. Long length and breadth. Great wine. Enjoy! Y2K!
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Deep gold in color, with notes of brioche, marmalade, ripe white fruits and hints of almonds. Still quite energetic on the palate, with a round texture and good balance. I found these hidden away in the back of my cellar, and figured they were over the hill; much to my delight, 5 of the 6 bottles were quite good!
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We've never been disappointed in L'Ermitage, but were concerned that this bottle (which we'd somehow overlooked), might be too old. It wasn't; it was fantastic! Lively bubbles, a beautiful bouquet, and an incredible mouth feel. You could almost chew this wine. It was delicious (bits of toast and lemon), and had a really long finish. I wish we had another one around!
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Perfectly aged. Nice vanilla, fruit balance. Cold is nice, drank at around around 47 degrees (thats what it was set at) and it was brilliant. After an hour even larger.
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Good but fairly straightforward sparkling wine. It is very apple centric flavored. The overwhelming flavor is golden delicious apple, with some notes of pear and bread. Good acidity and decent beading.
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This tête de cuvée is an impressive substitute for its much more expensive cousins in France. Made from 53% chardonnay and 47% pinot noir. Very light golden color with lively tiny bubbles, the nose is full of baked apple and a nice hint of toast. Exceptionally smooth in the mouth, bright apples, lemons and even a little pineapple dance across the tongue with crisp acidity. Still quite young, this wine will continue to impress for years to come.
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An outstanding sparkler. Medium body, very clean/crisp with a touch of light yeast. Nothing off at all and drinking perfectly now. Glad I have 1 more bottle, a great value. ($49)
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Gorgeous, with yeasty aromas followed by unctuous flavors of nectarine, yeasty biscuits with butter, toasted almonds and a dash of cardomom that snuggle on the palate, ending with a fresh note of green apple. Luscious and long, with a delicate mousse, showing that mix of stone fruits and yeast and nuttiness that mark a good sparkler. Recommeneded.
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Crisp, high toned meyer lemon flavors mingle with complex hazelnut, yeast, vanilla and ginger. Great balance of flavors that flow onto the long finish. Still showing very young and should develop additional depth and complexity with bottle age. Drink now-2017. 91+ pts.
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open for 2 hours. nutty and waxy on the nose. very almondine on the palate. lots of lemon cream. oh boy, the scent of the fruit of the gods...feijoa. drink now.
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A little more open than the last bottle (6 weeks ago). A very nice dough, forest floor element. Great persistence on the finish. Will be interesting to try this again in 2-3 years.
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One of my favourite domestic sparklers. But, these need some extra time to soften, and I'm glad I waited. A creamy lemon and apple curd with fine bubbles and excellent acid backbone. This is a superb food wine and I wish I had a case. Drink thru 2013, approx $31
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Quite unfortunately, I didn't get to try this except for the final sip from my wife's glass. Pity. It seemed clean, focused, and had a very nice lemon note.
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champagne night (binny's highland park): nose: real interesting nose with good depth providing tones of smoke, nuts, bread, dough, citrus tones, and minerals. Very nice and showing a class difference between the normal estate cuvee and their version of a tete-cuvee
taste: nice feel with medium depth and medium/high acidity providing tones of smoke, nuts, dough, lemon peels, and strong mineral undertones
overall: An excellent wine that needs a bit of time to calm down the acidity. Well put together, but doesn't blow me away like the 99 did. Excellent depth and its certainly in a different league from the rose at the tasting
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Reserved nose of marmalade, dough, dried leaves and a sherry note. More forward on the palate were it adds lemon, a strong mineral vein and nutty flavors. The nervous, edgy finish shows excellent persistence. Nothing showy here, instead a restrained, thoughtful wine.
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Enjoyed this at WillisWineBar in Santa Rosa. The wine was served at the perfect temperature and displayed a rather refined mousse and elegant, tiny bubbles. this shows good balance and bright fruit but was a bit on the sweet side for me. The true test of the wine was when we paired it with the tuna tartar that had lemon, chilis, pine nuts and had been tossed in a very nice sesame oil. Now the wine was singin', and so was the food. Bracing acidity and a great floral/bread dough nose, this wine did not disappoint.
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Light in color with mild aromas of lemon must and dough. Light and fluffy with a few streamers. Lemon peel, white pepper, angel food cake, green stone fruit, and wild green apple. The finish is long. Very Champagne like but short on the bubbles in the glass.
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Soft nose of green apples and a little yeasty note. Nice and crisp on the palate with good fruit. Doesn’t have the same focus as Champagne, but I really enjoyed the flavor profile. Solid.
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Deep golden color with fine bubbles as only Champagnes ever seem to achieve. Flavors of fresh apple tart (crust included) and peach pit. Heady but balanced.
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Top notch Domestic fiz. Bakers yeast, apple pie crust, and brioche nose. Good depth with a core of brightness to perfectly balance the fruit/lees weight and acidity. Great cinnamon, apple, almost star anise flavors. yum stuff and impressive for a CA bub.
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New Year's Eve at Mark and JoAnn's. This was a terrific bottle. Lemon cream, bright, focused -- outstanding. In my opinion, Roederer Estate simply makes the best California sparkler. Mark also opened a magnum of the 1997, which was showing beautifully -- quite youthful, with more yeasty and toasty notes showing.
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Holiday Dinner to welcome Tobias (Denver): Passed as French to a knowledgable German crowd. Agree that the wine features creamy lemon and mineral with a fine creamy mousse. Great starter.
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4/24/2021 - ddemetri Likes this wine: 96 Points
I’m a big fan! Nice mouthfeel (not too foamy or flat)
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12/31/2020 - mydi Likes this wine: 88 Points
Last of 6 magnums I’ve had for many years. Toasty, rich bubbly. Still got it. Hope is blows 2020 away quickly.
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11/10/2020 - TXRhoneRanger wrote: 95 Points
Sadly, my last bottle but boy did it go out with a bang. Candied lemon, brioche, and power. Really fine with a good mousse and bead. Long length and breadth. Great wine. Enjoy! Y2K!
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5/12/2019 - tbabes wrote: 91 Points
Deep gold in color, with notes of brioche, marmalade, ripe white fruits and hints of almonds. Still quite energetic on the palate, with a round texture and good balance. I found these hidden away in the back of my cellar, and figured they were over the hill; much to my delight, 5 of the 6 bottles were quite good!
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1/1/2016 - desolow wrote: 89 Points
Good, but maybe should have drunk sooner. Very similar in style to house sparkling wine. Think I prefer their less expensive rose more.
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11/27/2015 - mydi Likes this wine: 90 Points
Terrific wine with our turkey dinner. Held up well the next day. Dry at the finish. Touches of grass , lemon, limes and raisins.
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3/22/2015 - xyzsch Likes this wine: 93 Points
Best sparkling wine from CA I have had.
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1/1/2015 - mydi Likes this wine: 90 Points
Very nice. Holding up well. 4 more to go.
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12/25/2013 - Louise P Likes this wine: 95 Points
We've never been disappointed in L'Ermitage, but were concerned that this bottle (which we'd somehow overlooked), might be too old. It wasn't; it was fantastic! Lively bubbles, a beautiful bouquet, and an incredible mouth feel. You could almost chew this wine. It was delicious (bits of toast and lemon), and had a really long finish. I wish we had another one around!
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9/8/2013 - dsimmons Likes this wine: 92 Points
Last of these and IMHO the best. Lively and refined.
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11/22/2012 - PinotPaul wrote: 88 Points
Decent sparkling but unremarkable.
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8/21/2012 - skinnydave wrote: 95 Points
Perfectly aged. Nice vanilla, fruit balance. Cold is nice, drank at around around 47 degrees (thats what it was set at) and it was brilliant. After an hour even larger.
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7/1/2012 - Barry Notes wrote: 91 Points
Service ice dold. Excellent sparkler. Med body, great body/intensity, slight toast, good fruit. Nothing off.
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9/1/2011 - Xavier Auerbach wrote: 92 Points
Classical, good weight, well-balanced, nutty, ripe fruit, subtle and stylish, superior and à point. Now - 2015.
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8/19/2011 - gfish wrote: 88 Points
Good but fairly straightforward sparkling wine. It is very apple centric flavored. The overwhelming flavor is golden delicious apple, with some notes of pear and bread. Good acidity and decent beading.
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7/7/2011 - Kschlach Likes this wine: 91 Points
This tête de cuvée is an impressive substitute for its much more expensive cousins in France. Made from 53% chardonnay and 47% pinot noir. Very light golden color with lively tiny bubbles, the nose is full of baked apple and a nice hint of toast. Exceptionally smooth in the mouth, bright apples, lemons and even a little pineapple dance across the tongue with crisp acidity. Still quite young, this wine will continue to impress for years to come.
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12/31/2010 - rbfleming wrote: 89 Points
Happy New Year! Some citrus, with woody notes. Solid sparkling wine.
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9/13/2010 - bsegel Likes this wine: 92 Points
Very good, one of my favorite sparklers.
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8/20/2010 - DruStemm wrote: 88 Points
Solid bubbly. Pairs well with creamy or fruity items. Simple on the tongue with a light velvet texture. Hints of cedar, strawberry and citrus.
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5/17/2010 - Barry Notes wrote: 91 Points
An outstanding sparkler. Medium body, very clean/crisp with a touch of light yeast. Nothing off at all and drinking perfectly now. Glad I have 1 more bottle, a great value. ($49)
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4/23/2010 - gmbdds wrote: 91 Points
Complex with lemon, cream, toast and tea. Still plenty fresh and alive.
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2/23/2010 - xwine wrote:
I had a cold, so couldn't really taste it. Structure seemed nice, and everyone enjoyed the wine.
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2/17/2010 - WineontheBarrelhead wrote: 90 Points
Gorgeous, with yeasty aromas followed by unctuous flavors of nectarine, yeasty biscuits with butter, toasted almonds and a dash of cardomom that snuggle on the palate, ending with a fresh note of green apple. Luscious and long, with a delicate mousse, showing that mix of stone fruits and yeast and nuttiness that mark a good sparkler. Recommeneded.
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12/13/2009 - peternelson wrote: 91 Points
conrad’s: Lemon drop condy, syrup, grt slight yeast element; tart, agrressive bubbles; so nice nose. Really good. Superb. still very young!
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10/10/2009 - isaacjamesbaker wrote:
A Week in Mendocino; 10/6/2009-10/11/2009: lots of toast on the nose and palate. very creamy with pear, biscuits and strawberries.
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10/4/2009 - unrelenting wrote:
huge finish, tiny bubbles.
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8/10/2009 - riccodog13 wrote: 91 Points
Crisp, high toned meyer lemon flavors mingle with complex hazelnut, yeast, vanilla and ginger. Great balance of flavors that flow onto the long finish. Still showing very young and should develop additional depth and complexity with bottle age. Drink now-2017. 91+ pts.
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6/22/2009 - thomaskeil wrote: 90 Points
Still going strong with a doughy-lemon aroma that glides into nuts and white fruits. Crisp and appealling on the palate. Nice
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5/30/2009 - soyhead wrote: 88 Points
nose - lemon curd, toast
mouth, almond, mild tart
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3/4/2009 - nzinkgraf wrote:
open for 2 hours. nutty and waxy on the nose. very almondine on the palate. lots of lemon cream. oh boy, the scent of the fruit of the gods...feijoa. drink now.
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2/15/2009 - pgordon62 wrote: 90 Points
A little more open than the last bottle (6 weeks ago). A very nice dough, forest floor element. Great persistence on the finish. Will be interesting to try this again in 2-3 years.
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1/23/2009 - Tim Heaton Likes this wine:
consistent tn's and an exceptional value
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1/23/2009 - Tim Heaton Likes this wine:
One of my favourite domestic sparklers. But, these need some extra time to soften, and I'm glad I waited. A creamy lemon and apple curd with fine bubbles and excellent acid backbone. This is a superb food wine and I wish I had a case. Drink thru 2013, approx $31
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1/17/2009 - xwine wrote:
Quite unfortunately, I didn't get to try this except for the final sip from my wife's glass. Pity. It seemed clean, focused, and had a very nice lemon note.
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12/30/2008 - KeithAkers wrote: 89 Points
champagne night (binny's highland park): nose: real interesting nose with good depth providing tones of smoke, nuts, bread, dough, citrus tones, and minerals. Very nice and showing a class difference between the normal estate cuvee and their version of a tete-cuvee
taste: nice feel with medium depth and medium/high acidity providing tones of smoke, nuts, dough, lemon peels, and strong mineral undertones
overall: An excellent wine that needs a bit of time to calm down the acidity. Well put together, but doesn't blow me away like the 99 did. Excellent depth and its certainly in a different league from the rose at the tasting
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12/27/2008 - pgordon62 wrote: 89 Points
Reserved nose of marmalade, dough, dried leaves and a sherry note. More forward on the palate were it adds lemon, a strong mineral vein and nutty flavors. The nervous, edgy finish shows excellent persistence. Nothing showy here, instead a restrained, thoughtful wine.
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12/5/2008 - beezer6 wrote: 90 Points
Binny's Champagne Gala Tasting (Binny's South Loop - Chicago, IL): Binny's South Loop Champagne Gala Tasting.
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11/27/2008 - JDB wrote: 89 Points
Pre family arrival on Turkey Day ... It was very tasty , for the money outstanding
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11/14/2008 - Tim Heaton Likes this wine:
Enjoyed this at WillisWineBar in Santa Rosa. The wine was served at the perfect temperature and displayed a rather refined mousse and elegant, tiny bubbles. this shows good balance and bright fruit but was a bit on the sweet side for me. The true test of the wine was when we paired it with the tuna tartar that had lemon, chilis, pine nuts and had been tossed in a very nice sesame oil. Now the wine was singin', and so was the food. Bracing acidity and a great floral/bread dough nose, this wine did not disappoint.
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10/5/2008 - GreatLibations wrote: 88 Points
Light in color with mild aromas of lemon must and dough. Light and fluffy with a few streamers. Lemon peel, white pepper, angel food cake, green stone fruit, and wild green apple. The finish is long. Very Champagne like but short on the bubbles in the glass.
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8/15/2008 - Paul Lin wrote: 89 Points
Louis Roederer Tasting (Wine Pavilion - Lake Forest, CA): Red apples, green apples, and brioche on the nose. A delicious palate of green apples, peaches, and bread crust. Finishes lightly with mineral, chalk, and saline.
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7/31/2008 - keelegl wrote: 90 Points
Soft nose of green apples and a little yeasty note. Nice and crisp on the palate with good fruit. Doesn’t have the same focus as Champagne, but I really enjoyed the flavor profile. Solid.
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6/9/2008 - hudamang wrote: 89 Points
Weekend in the Bay Area: 97 insignia, 04 Matriarch, 05 Seven Stones, and much more! (Bay Area): I actually enjoyed this. Yellow apples, pears, and a nuttiness on the palate that would make this a bottle I would enjoy.
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4/23/2008 - wino_tim wrote: 89 Points
Pretty and pure with a lot of pretty apple notes, but a touch sweet on the palate, and really, not all that much better than the NV estate wine.
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3/28/2008 - Arnaudh wrote: 91 Points
Deep golden color with fine bubbles as only Champagnes ever seem to achieve. Flavors of fresh apple tart (crust included) and peach pit. Heady but balanced.
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2/14/2008 - nwk wrote:
Top notch Domestic fiz. Bakers yeast, apple pie crust, and brioche nose. Good depth with a core of brightness to perfectly balance the fruit/lees weight and acidity. Great cinnamon, apple, almost star anise flavors. yum stuff and impressive for a CA bub.
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12/31/2007 - xwine wrote:
New Year's Eve at Mark and JoAnn's. This was a terrific bottle. Lemon cream, bright, focused -- outstanding. In my opinion, Roederer Estate simply makes the best California sparkler. Mark also opened a magnum of the 1997, which was showing beautifully -- quite youthful, with more yeasty and toasty notes showing.
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12/28/2007 - thomaskeil wrote: 90 Points
Holiday Dinner to welcome Tobias (Denver): Passed as French to a knowledgable German crowd. Agree that the wine features creamy lemon and mineral with a fine creamy mousse. Great starter.
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8/15/2007 - drdebs wrote: 91 Points
Anderson Valley Tastings; 8/15/2007-8/16/2007 (Anderson Valley, Mendocino County): One of the best US sparklers I've had in terms of complexity and finesse. Aromas of hay lead to a palate of creamy lemon, mineral and apple. Very nicely balanced, with small bead and creamy mousse.
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