Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.7

Now, this is a Champagne worthy of my last year in my current decade.

It’s not inexpensive but, there’s a reason for that.

From the moment I put my nose to the glass, I got a a sense of warm, inviting delicacy. There is; cream, soft ginger, fall green apples, mango, guava, slightly sour lemons, lime zest/candy, perfectly, ripe pineapple, white peach, green melons, lightly bruised pear, marmalade jam, as soft as white spice can be, grey volcanics, good chalkiness, vanillin, sea spray, lovely, melted caramel notes, yeast, bread dough to baguette crust, non funky cheese rind, toast, silvered almonds to nut skin with white & lilies, jasmine and spring flowers.

The palate enters like Tango dancers & cross-fades into ballet. Perfect richness, mousse & micro-oxygenation with gentle, absolute, perfect acidity. The minerality is fine, delicate & straight up in my wheelhouse. Cream, understated, melted butter, ginger, fall, Granny Smith apples, mango, guava, slightly sour lemons, lime zest/ peel/candy, perfectly, ripe pineapple, white peach, peach, tangerine, green melons, lightly bruised pear, some apple cider, marmalade jam, honeysuckle, herbaceousiness, a shade of mint, as soft as white spice can be, delicate, grey volcanics with limestone, good chalkiness, vanillin, sea spray, lovely, melted caramel notes, yeast, bread dough to baguette crust, non funky cheese rind, toast, silvered almonds to nut skin with, orange blossoms, white & lilies, jasmine and spring flowers. The long, amazing, well balanced finish is simply Mozart.

The 02 is a blend of 39% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay & 21% Pinot Meunier. This bottle spent at least 12 years in Krug's cellars, receiving its cork in autumn 2014.

Photos of; the House of Krug, their very tall & countless stainless steel tanks they hold still wine(s), fermenting or library bottles in their caves & Krug Clos du Mesnil Vineyard. — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

More oxygenated than I prefer on my champagne but, nonetheless well made in that style. Bruised apple & pear, some white citrus, soft chalkiness, lots of yeast & bread dough, yellow florals, good acidity and a well polished rich finish.

Thank you Christina for bringing. — 8 years ago

Jocholla

8.9

Poppin' corks on Easter. Fresh flakey biscuit dough with lemon custard and a little yeast funk. — 10 years ago

Cathy Corison

Owner/Winemaker Corison Winery

9.4

Integrated, subtle bubbles. Bread dough. Autolysed yeast. Classy. Understated. — 10 years ago

with William

Jörgen Lindström Carlvik

Owner, Brix Wine Consultants

9.1

I understand the underlying quality, but admit in having major difficulties enjoying their produce. At the highest level, and still that tell tale, nasty play dough character is present... — 10 years ago

Jose Menendez

9.5

Medium Amber color. Tiny and perfect bubbles. Not very yeasty dough, green apple, quince, almond. Good minerality and acidity. Still very fresh and young taste. Looking forward to retasting in a couple of years. — 11 years ago

Adam Jesberger

9.2

Awesome for the price. Autolytic and tree fruit driven. Fairly high acid and good length. Ripe red pears and yellow apples with cream and bread dough heavy on the nose and palate. Weighty and complex. — 11 years ago

Spinning_spins

9.3

Nice aromas of strawberry with notes of white pepper and bread dough. Dry, but with great fruit backbone, a tight minerally body and great length. Just freakin good and a hell of a value. — 11 years ago

Christine Havens

9.4

Fidèle Extra Brut Champagne offers up gorgeous leesy-yeasty notes: pastry dough, toasted almonds and hazelnuts, poached pear and spiced applesauce simmering away on the stove. Golden-hued, it reminds me of Autumn, with cozy apple galette and pear tart notes, brioche and custard are well-incorporated into this Champagne's soft texture and medium acidity. Finishes with a sort of dried fall leaves and red berries, or even a Queen Anne's cherries sort of thing. I approve! Disgorged 02.10.12 — 12 years ago

Steve Matthiasson

Owner/Winemaker Matthiasson Wines

9.2

Crazy bread dough, lean, fine bubbles, right in my wheelhouse for champagne — 14 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Four day weekend. Gotta get it off to a good start. Been awhile since we had our 375ml of Ruinart.

The nose shows, ripe, slightly candied; black cherries, strawberries, kirsch cherries, rich, summertime watermelon, touch of orange citrus family blend, pomegranate juice, hints of fruit roll up & haunting apricots. Sea fossils & spray, a little bread dough, grey volcanics, chalky powder, orange, spring flowers with fresh & withering, red & pink rose pedals.

The palate is full & touch gummy/candied. Fruits are well extracted, deep, ruby; black cherries, blackberries, strawberries, kirsch cherries, rich, summertime watermelon, touch of orange citrus family blend, pomegranate juice, hints of fruit roll up & haunting apricots. Ghostly, not quite fruit brandy or fruit liqueur character, sea fossils & spray, a little bread dough, not quite medium, white spice with hints of palate heat, grainy, grey volcanics, chalky powder, orange, spring flowers with fresh & withering, red & pink rose pedals. The acidity lively and crisp. The round, well balanced & polish finish is always consistently satisfying and lingers for minutes.

Photos of; the House of Ruinart, Dom Thierry Ruinart, nicely light caves and rolling, hillside, Grand Cru Vineyard.

Not quite sure where “D” gets $83 when you can buy this all day at just under $65. — 7 years ago

Colin Cahoon

9.3

Bread dough and light citrus nose. Toast with honey, lemon, tangerine and pear on the palate. Fine bubbles with a light citrus finish — 8 years ago

with Susan

Colin Cahoon

9.0

Bread dough, pear, and light citrus with fine bubbles. — 8 years ago

Elizabeth

9.2

👁 Pale gold with delicate effervescence
👃Green apple skin and hops, yeasty sour dough, ginger
👅 Acidity for days! Complex start of ginger, white pepper, tart citrus fruit and cream before ending short with a toast and grapefruit pith finish.
✍️ So delicate and ethereal, amazing — 10 years ago

Matt Trader

9.2

I'm not going to lie; this is one of the best sparkling wines I have had from California in quite some time. We know that Schramsberg makes great sparkling wines by reputation, but this bottle is the proof in the pudding. Vintage, so it is ages on the lees much longer, and reflects in complexities of honey butter, dough for classic white bread, nutmeg, ginger, and vanilla. The pallet is luscious with a Champagne like mousse mouthfeel, golden apples, lemon, and white pears. The bubbles were refined and sophisticated, with focused acidity backing it all up. Well done schramsberg, well done. — 10 years ago

Michael Mendes

9.1

2005. Beautiful and fresh. Clean green apple, bread dough and a white floral note. Fantastic. — 11 years ago

Tim Herrmann

9.5

This had so many pure flavors--@Rajiv Ayyangar said it was like all the components of unbaked apple pie, and I agree. Green apples, cinnamon-y spice, bready pastry dough, but also some red flowers and white raspberries. Id argue this is a great value. — 11 years ago

Diedra West

8.9

Diedra had this 11 years ago

Michael Smith

8.9

Baked apples, phyllo dough. Nice texture, long finish but feeling a bit unfresh. — 11 years ago

Joseph LaPanna

9.3

Rich and creamy with a refined texture. Aromas of lemon zest, green apples and jasmine dance out of the glass. Clean, crisp flavors of candies ginger, honey and white peaches linger as yeast and biscuit dough round out the opulent finish. Oh how I love bubbles! — 13 years ago

Colin Cahoon

9.0

Bread dough and citrus. Clean and fresh. — 7 years ago

with Susan

Ryan Vento

9.4

Guys night out at The Tasting Room.
.
Dough/yeast, nougat, burnt caramel, and mocha. Pretty darn complex and rich, yet agile and light on its feet. — 8 years ago

Greg Koslosky

9.3

Impressive powerful with loads of ripe apple ,bread dough , rich and yeasty. Good depth and length quite splendid ! — 8 years ago

Julia Geisler

9.0

My birthday always signals the end of summer so it seems only fitting to drink this candy apple reminiscent of summer fairs - even with a hint of fried dough. — 8 years ago

with Gautham, Samantha and 1 other

Erik Nordman

9.1

Super solid Sonoma County Chardonnay. This one takes a leaner route than most California Chardonnays and is actually surprisingly Chablis-like, but a bit riper and with a bit more breadth. Dominated by lemon curd, ripe fresh yellow apple, lime zest and crushed chalk, underscored by a bit of fresh brioche dough from lees treatment, a bit of crème fraîche, and a bit of dogwood floral character as well; all delivered with a strong, linear acidity. Lees treatment, natural malolactic, and partial neutral oak treatment add some weight and texture without sacrificing focus. Really hits a pleasurable balance of new and old world stylistically speaking, in my opinion. Relatively richly textured with a bit riper fruit, but without sacrificing focus and minerality. Tasty stuff. Would love to try with some scallops! — 10 years ago

Nick Davis

9.3

Acid power, light grip, savory dough and bright fruit. Solid! — 11 years ago

with Anthony

Rebecca Fletcher

9.1

M intensity. Yeasty and fresh dough. Little R/S. M+ acid. — 11 years ago

Myron Hobbs

9.4

Light yeast with a hint of rye dough on the nose that finishes with a touch of apple skin. Great grower with tight little bubbles ... that is all : ) #hebrart #happytoasting — 11 years ago

Justin Farrar

9.0

It's nice, but doesn't stand out much from $40 bottles. Save your dough — 12 years ago

Davis Smith

Sommelier Acquerello

9.3

And the opposite side of the spectrum. Toasty, nougat, chocolate chip cookie dough — 12 years ago