Being a '97 and newly released, I expected it to have more of a toasty caramel flavor. Also expected only a few bubbles. I was wrong. This bottle had many more bubbles and much more of that fresh taste zip than expected. I love champagne but I'm a believer that a great Schramsberg sparkling is just as good....often even better for the price. With proper storage, I think you can still enjoy a good bottle of this vintage....just drink it soon!!
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This champagne is clearly past its peak, but it still holds up well. The bubbles are not long-lasting, but the nose is rich, yeasty and complex. When you drink this wine, you initially think of a fine French desert wine, it has that much depth and sweetness. However, it is still dry. If you do find a bottle of this from 1997 and are willing to try something different, then go for it. It will surprise you - pleasantly.
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Past it's prime, but still shows delicate complexity. Loses it's fizz within 10-15 mins of opening. I'm only still drinking this because it's left over from my wedding 9 years ago!
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We rediscovered several bottles of this Schramsberg recently so it has survived this long simply because we didn't realize it existed. Sadly, it has passed its peak however its nose has a lovely biscuity, yeast complexity that only comes with age. It still has some 'fizz' left, but the bubbles soon dissipated and we were left with a lovely champagne taste without the sparkle on the tongue. As a result, it leaves you with a slightly cloying taste on the palate that eventually overwhelms.
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Consumed as part of a toast at a New Year's party, so no notes taken. However, general impression was that this sparkling wine may have been well past its maturity. There did not seem to be an abundance of bubbles and no visible "cheminée". The acidic attack seemed out of balance with the rest of the wine, lacking a sugar counter-balance. While acceptable, it did not live up to expectations.
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Damn do I love it when sparkling wines age well. This is deep golden in color. Very intense nose of springs flowers and fresh baked bread. The palate is full, long and intense. Very good stuff by any standard.
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7/23/2012 - Asmiller wrote: 91 Points
Being a '97 and newly released, I expected it to have more of a toasty caramel flavor. Also expected only a few bubbles. I was wrong. This bottle had many more bubbles and much more of that fresh taste zip than expected. I love champagne but I'm a believer that a great Schramsberg sparkling is just as good....often even better for the price. With proper storage, I think you can still enjoy a good bottle of this vintage....just drink it soon!!
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9/13/2010 - mattdathan wrote: 89 Points
This champagne is clearly past its peak, but it still holds up well. The bubbles are not long-lasting, but the nose is rich, yeasty and complex. When you drink this wine, you initially think of a fine French desert wine, it has that much depth and sweetness. However, it is still dry. If you do find a bottle of this from 1997 and are willing to try something different, then go for it. It will surprise you - pleasantly.
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3/12/2010 - mattdathan wrote: 78 Points
Past it's prime, but still shows delicate complexity. Loses it's fizz within 10-15 mins of opening. I'm only still drinking this because it's left over from my wedding 9 years ago!
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11/27/2009 - mattdathan wrote: 81 Points
We rediscovered several bottles of this Schramsberg recently so it has survived this long simply because we didn't realize it existed. Sadly, it has passed its peak however its nose has a lovely biscuity, yeast complexity that only comes with age. It still has some 'fizz' left, but the bubbles soon dissipated and we were left with a lovely champagne taste without the sparkle on the tongue. As a result, it leaves you with a slightly cloying taste on the palate that eventually overwhelms.
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3/7/2009 - MetFan wrote: 85 Points
Decent, but past its prime.
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9/10/2007 - simpsonr wrote: 93 Points
Baked bread, nutty, fruity, full flavored palate. Outstanding Cali bubbly.
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12/31/2006 - bruceb wrote: 86 Points
Consumed as part of a toast at a New Year's party, so no notes taken. However, general impression was that this sparkling wine may have been well past its maturity. There did not seem to be an abundance of bubbles and no visible "cheminée". The acidic attack seemed out of balance with the rest of the wine, lacking a sugar counter-balance. While acceptable, it did not live up to expectations.
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5/21/2006 - simpsonr wrote: 93 Points
Damn do I love it when sparkling wines age well. This is deep golden in color. Very intense nose of springs flowers and fresh baked bread. The palate is full, long and intense. Very good stuff by any standard.
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