New Years Eve (Rocknroller's (Kevin & Vicki's Place)): Medium gold color. Drank 1 glass over 40 minutes. This was still drinking nicely with some oxidative character and maturity. Lemon, honey, toasted, oxidative with a subtle smokiness and mid weight. Very enjoyable, it is time to drink these up.
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Best of the three bottles, rich with great acidity and crispness. Lots of minerals, some toast, green apple licorice, honey and a touch of marzipan. Great finish that goes on forever. Really enjoyed this bottle, much better than the last.
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Extra dry ginger ale, a hint of apple juice, and an earthiness I don't often get in Champagne. Better than last bottle, the oxidation isn't as obvious, but i'm not looking to marry it.
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Something seemed a little off with the nose so maybe a defective bottle. Fairly tart, green apples, lots of effervescence, decient finish, just expected a little more. Have one more bottle but if it is the same as this I would not buy again.
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WTDS at Kevin's: Another starter wine in a very good line up! The wine/Champagne had excellent bubbles and minerality. It has the fruit and yeast to hold up well, and it went well with the chicken served. It was dry, but not overly dry, with stone, grapefruit and pear in the mouth. This Champagne has an excellent QPR, and would definitely stand up to Champagnes much more expensive!
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WTDS Wednesday Afternoon (Rocknroller's (Kevin & Vicki's Place)): Light medium gold color. Drank 2 glasses over an hour. Ah, my old friend, alas we must part ways. It has been a most pleasant journey over these 5 years. I've enjoyed your bright green apple nose, minerals and yeast. You've consistently been a graceful and crisp friend; with your sparkling personality, pear, citrus and zestiness not going unnoticed. Sometimes you were a tad more chalky than I prefer, but as we come the end, you were just right again. I'll now be forced to seek solace in your younger sibling. RIP my friend.
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Monthly Tasting Group: Champagne and Sushi (Sushi Fix, Wayzata, MN): Light-medium gold color. Drank 1 glass over 30 minutes. This was a bit more oxidative than some bottles, plenty of apple, baked apple pie, chalky minerals, lemon, bread dough. Medium finish. Very good, just not quite as good as other bottles.
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- Yellow gold color with medium pearls and has flavours of apple - I'll give it the benefit of the doubt and say this was a defective bottle, though not obvious. Tasted more like sparkling apple cider than champagne. Slightly corked but not massively so. Not enjoyable
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Splendid Wine Pairing Dinner at Shari's with a Variety of Great Wines (Shari's house, Mpls, MN): Light gold color. Drank 1 glass over 20 minutes. Just another really nice bottle of this Champagne. The fruit is so nice and pure, green apple and pear notes abound, minerals, and a bit nutty. This was so graceful and light on the palate but giving intensity of flavor and nice mineral finish. Fine bead. 92+pts.
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The Ellner wines tend to be in a toasty/full style with a hint of oxidative notes- not my usual preferred, but sometimes nice for a change (at right price). This one appeals- powerful and full, but with snappy acids and freshness. B+
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A Couple of Burgs and a Pinot at Dinner (Phil's Tara Hideaway, MN): Light gold color. Drank 2 glasses over 45 minutes. Love this sparkler. Continues to show well, very consistent, with such fresh and lively fruit along with a mineral streak. Bright apple and pear notes, tropical. Very well balanced.
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This bottle was far more balanced and enjoyable than the previous. The dominant yeast subsided and the wine was more in touch with the citrus and fruit.
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Mixed Frenchies Offline (Craftsman, Mpls): Light gold color. drank 2 glasses over an hour. This was pretty consistent with my first bottle. The nose has almond, pear, minerals, and a hint of tropical fruit. The palate is quite fresh and crisp with pear, apple, a little berry, minerals, subtle chalk, nice acid. I really like the clean finish on this. When first tasted it might have been a tad too warm, but after a a lttle chill it was very lively.
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This wine is better 5-10 degrees warmer than the fridge. Decent acidity, baked or over-ripe apple, bit of citrus. There's an oxidized thing goin' on that I'm not sure I like. This is "different", it'll be interesting to see where it is (or if it's drinkable) in 5-6 years.
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Very nice, fun Champagne, but doesn't strike me as particularly serious. Dominant nose of apple juice with some secondary citrus fruits and maybe a touch of bready/nuttiness in the mouth. But to my senses it's almost all apple - and too one-dimensional to merit a high score. Still, a fun drink on New Year's Eve 2011!
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very different from the last bottle, much less yeasty, more tart, crisp, bright fruit. wonder if it's the additional 8 months bottle age, or my note that these bottles may have been heat damaged? this was the last one, so I guess I will never know.
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This bottle was more memorable than my first. I hope the next 4 are just as good. This was a rich and creamy Champagne with good acid, tart fruits and brioche.
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I recall not picking up on the yeast flavors others describes, but getting a nose and palate of tart fruit with perhaps a subtle hint of minerality. Did not have very memorable qualities.
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Beautiful nose of acetone and green apple. Flavors are similar: oxidized apples, sharp chemicals, lemon zest reminiscent of a rich white burgundy. High acid balances rich food like sturgeon roe wonderfully. Super long finish.
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Very thick and heavy on the nose and tongue. My guests and I enjoyed it before dinner on a crisp fall evening. I recommend this as a cold weather bubbly, as it lacks the crisp citrus often thought of with champagne.
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Interesting. Dominant yeasty flavors, like uncooked sourdough in a glass, on both the nose and the palate. Crisp, acidity, mineraly, with perhaps some green apple and citrus zest. Rating withheld due to lack of experience, but I quite liked it despite the rather simple flavor profile. 89-90? Day 2 after being stored in the fridge under a champagne stopper: much more subdued yeasty flavors, still crisp, maybe some dill, and an odd occasional lingering scent/flavor of raspberry in a very pleasant way.
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12/31/2017 - rocknroller wrote: 91 Points
New Years Eve (Rocknroller's (Kevin & Vicki's Place)): Medium gold color. Drank 1 glass over 40 minutes. This was still drinking nicely with some oxidative character and maturity. Lemon, honey, toasted, oxidative with a subtle smokiness and mid weight. Very enjoyable, it is time to drink these up.
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9/16/2017 - americanstorm Likes this wine: 92 Points
Best of the three bottles, rich with great acidity and crispness. Lots of minerals, some toast, green apple licorice, honey and a touch of marzipan. Great finish that goes on forever. Really enjoyed this bottle, much better than the last.
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11/26/2016 - BrunelloBob wrote: 89 Points
Extra dry ginger ale, a hint of apple juice, and an earthiness I don't often get in Champagne. Better than last bottle, the oxidation isn't as obvious, but i'm not looking to marry it.
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5/31/2016 - americanstorm Likes this wine: 87 Points
Something seemed a little off with the nose so maybe a defective bottle. Fairly tart, green apples, lots of effervescence, decient finish, just expected a little more. Have one more bottle but if it is the same as this I would not buy again.
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5/26/2016 - For the Love of Wine Likes this wine: 92 Points
WTDS at Kevin's: Another starter wine in a very good line up! The wine/Champagne had excellent bubbles and minerality. It has the fruit and yeast to hold up well, and it went well with the chicken served. It was dry, but not overly dry, with stone, grapefruit and pear in the mouth. This Champagne has an excellent QPR, and would definitely stand up to Champagnes much more expensive!
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5/25/2016 - rocknroller wrote: 92 Points
WTDS Wednesday Afternoon (Rocknroller's (Kevin & Vicki's Place)): Light medium gold color. Drank 2 glasses over an hour. Ah, my old friend, alas we must part ways. It has been a most pleasant journey over these 5 years. I've enjoyed your bright green apple nose, minerals and yeast. You've consistently been a graceful and crisp friend; with your sparkling personality, pear, citrus and zestiness not going unnoticed. Sometimes you were a tad more chalky than I prefer, but as we come the end, you were just right again. I'll now be forced to seek solace in your younger sibling. RIP my friend.
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4/23/2015 - americanstorm Likes this wine: 90 Points
Very nice champagne at a very nice price point. Long finish, nice mouth feel, fair amount of body and yeast but nose blew off very quickly. good qpr
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11/23/2014 - rocknroller wrote: 91 Points
Monthly Tasting Group: Champagne and Sushi (Sushi Fix, Wayzata, MN): Light-medium gold color. Drank 1 glass over 30 minutes. This was a bit more oxidative than some bottles, plenty of apple, baked apple pie, chalky minerals, lemon, bread dough. Medium finish. Very good, just not quite as good as other bottles.
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9/7/2014 - 20/20 wrote: 75 Points
- Yellow gold color with medium pearls and has flavours of apple - I'll give it the benefit of the doubt and say this was a defective bottle, though not obvious. Tasted more like sparkling apple cider than champagne. Slightly corked but not massively so. Not enjoyable
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11/29/2013 - DaleW wrote:
Bready, slightly oxidative, very full bodied, good. B
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1/2/2013 - DaleW wrote:
Toasty, fresh apples and brioche, nutty. B/B+
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12/27/2012 - rocknroller wrote: 92 Points
Splendid Wine Pairing Dinner at Shari's with a Variety of Great Wines (Shari's house, Mpls, MN): Light gold color. Drank 1 glass over 20 minutes. Just another really nice bottle of this Champagne. The fruit is so nice and pure, green apple and pear notes abound, minerals, and a bit nutty. This was so graceful and light on the palate but giving intensity of flavor and nice mineral finish. Fine bead. 92+pts.
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10/2/2012 - DaleW wrote:
The Ellner wines tend to be in a toasty/full style with a hint of oxidative notes- not my usual preferred, but sometimes nice for a change (at right price). This one appeals- powerful and full, but with snappy acids and freshness. B+
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6/2/2012 - rocknroller wrote: 92 Points
A Couple of Burgs and a Pinot at Dinner (Phil's Tara Hideaway, MN): Light gold color. Drank 2 glasses over 45 minutes. Love this sparkler. Continues to show well, very consistent, with such fresh and lively fruit along with a mineral streak. Bright apple and pear notes, tropical. Very well balanced.
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2/5/2012 - nlassow wrote:
This bottle was far more balanced and enjoyable than the previous. The dominant yeast subsided and the wine was more in touch with the citrus and fruit.
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1/28/2012 - gesusser wrote: 92 Points
served ice cold @ SOUTH BEACH; wow...nice afternoon made perfect with this excellent/well balanced smooth champagne; not too citrusy; not too sweet
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1/24/2012 - rocknroller wrote: 92 Points
Mixed Frenchies Offline (Craftsman, Mpls): Light gold color. drank 2 glasses over an hour. This was pretty consistent with my first bottle. The nose has almond, pear, minerals, and a hint of tropical fruit. The palate is quite fresh and crisp with pear, apple, a little berry, minerals, subtle chalk, nice acid. I really like the clean finish on this. When first tasted it might have been a tad too warm, but after a a lttle chill it was very lively.
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12/31/2011 - BrunelloBob wrote: 88 Points
This wine is better 5-10 degrees warmer than the fridge.
Decent acidity, baked or over-ripe apple, bit of citrus. There's an oxidized thing goin' on that I'm not sure I like. This is "different", it'll be interesting to see where it is (or if it's drinkable) in 5-6 years.
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12/31/2011 - joshwoodward wrote: 92 Points
Pnp. Delicious. Great acid, definite oxidation, but In a good way. Balanced bubbles, fine. Lemon.
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12/31/2011 - Saint Stephen wrote: 90 Points
Very nice, fun Champagne, but doesn't strike me as particularly serious. Dominant nose of apple juice with some secondary citrus fruits and maybe a touch of bready/nuttiness in the mouth. But to my senses it's almost all apple - and too one-dimensional to merit a high score. Still, a fun drink on New Year's Eve 2011!
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12/27/2011 - mtaczak wrote: 89 Points
very different from the last bottle, much less yeasty, more tart, crisp, bright fruit. wonder if it's the additional 8 months bottle age, or my note that these bottles may have been heat damaged? this was the last one, so I guess I will never know.
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12/14/2011 - Just Grapes wrote: 92 Points
This bottle was more memorable than my first. I hope the next 4 are just as good. This was a rich and creamy Champagne with good acid, tart fruits and brioche.
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11/29/2011 - brianmik wrote: 88 Points
I recall not picking up on the yeast flavors others describes, but getting a nose and palate of tart fruit with perhaps a subtle hint of minerality. Did not have very memorable qualities.
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11/16/2011 - BradboBaggins Likes this wine:
Paired wonderfully with a Waldorf salad. Leaner and apple-y.
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10/25/2011 - Iceman611 wrote: 92 Points
Beautiful nose of acetone and green apple. Flavors are similar: oxidized apples, sharp chemicals, lemon zest reminiscent of a rich white burgundy. High acid balances rich food like sturgeon roe wonderfully. Super long finish.
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10/2/2011 - Redhawk-Jayhawk wrote: 88 Points
Very thick and heavy on the nose and tongue. My guests and I enjoyed it before dinner on a crisp fall evening. I recommend this as a cold weather bubbly, as it lacks the crisp citrus often thought of with champagne.
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9/24/2011 - joshwoodward wrote: 92 Points
Delicious! Super-bready. A little foxy. Dry. Lots of fruit. More body than typical. Yum
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9/5/2011 - stevenjstein Likes this wine: 91 Points
Not quite as yeasty as the previous bottle. A bit more fruit up front. Good acidity without being too tart.
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7/19/2011 - stevenjstein Likes this wine: 90 Points
Definitely a yeasty, nutty, style, rather than a tart, citrus-driven style.
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5/29/2011 - nlassow wrote:
Very yeasty on the nose. too much for me. This is like drinking bread, like mtaczak describes. Worth the experience but not purchasing again.
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5/3/2011 - mtaczak wrote:
Interesting. Dominant yeasty flavors, like uncooked sourdough in a glass, on both the nose and the palate. Crisp, acidity, mineraly, with perhaps some green apple and citrus zest. Rating withheld due to lack of experience, but I quite liked it despite the rather simple flavor profile. 89-90?
Day 2 after being stored in the fridge under a champagne stopper: much more subdued yeasty flavors, still crisp, maybe some dill, and an odd occasional lingering scent/flavor of raspberry in a very pleasant way.
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4/30/2011 - rocknroller wrote: 92 Points
The Big F-ing Show: Great Bordeaux from 1982 & 2000, 2002 Dom and 2001 Suduiraut & more in Mpls (Rocknroller's (Kevin's)): Very light gold color. The nose is bursting with minerals, roasted nuts. The attack has a burst of fruit, pear and tropical fruit, on the front end and then a mineral based mid palate and finishes long. Quite lovely and well balanced. 65% Chard and 35% Pinot.
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12/31/2010 - PangurBan wrote: 92 Points
Hints carmel with a mineral backbone. Wonderfull balance and a lingering finish. Elegant!
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