97 points - new release Roederer Estate's special tête de cuvée, L'Ermitage, is a sparkling wine made only in exceptional years from pre-selected, estate-grown grapes. Carrying on the tradition of Champagne Louis Roederer in France, Roederer Estate produces its sparkling wines in the traditional French methode and adds special oak-aged reserve wines to each blend. L'Ermitage debuted with the 1989 vintage and is designed to be California's version of Roederer's "Cristal." Enjoy! 97 points Wine Enthusiast: "All the benefits of maturity come through in this deliciously complex flagship sparkling wine of the French-owned estate. It shows very minute, slow-rising bubbles and a beautiful bouquet of ginger, cinnamon, cherry and fresh croissants. The flavors are layered, intricate, subtle but somehow rich. A lush and seemingly soft texture is supported by fresh acidity that encourages a long and delicate finish. Mature, but not old, it should be great through 2020 or longer." Wine & Spirits "BEST OF THE YEAR": "Roederer Estate's Brut is reliably open and delicious, this year's cuvée bursting with concentrated apple flavor. It's clean and dry with a long delicate finish enhanced by the barrel-aged reserve wines that winemaker Arnaud Weyrich blends in. Its bold flavors and vinous texture would be great with cracked crab." 93 Points Wine Spectator: "This shows a sense of grace and balance that belies its complexity and sophistication. Delicate brioche and apple aromas lead to long and sleek flavors of spicy hazelnut, lemon and ginger that finish with an impeccably crisp mineral note. Drink now through 2016."
Matt Nason
Brioche and lemon, man, what a great vintage.
Brioche and lemon, man, what a great vintage.
9.5Eric Urbani
Fab depth, aging well.
Fab depth, aging well.
9.5Eric Urbani
Little age going a long way - nice
Little age going a long way - nice
9.2Boris Mathiszik
Roederer is my favorite CA sparkling winemaker, and this was my first vintage Champagne. Delicious! Finely balanced.
Roederer is my favorite CA sparkling winemaker, and this was my first vintage Champagne. Delicious! Finely balanced.
9.3Anna Vocaturo
Meyer lemon, apple sauce, white flowers, when it rains in the summer
Meyer lemon, apple sauce, white flowers, when it rains in the summer
9.5John Murphy
Refreshing, tasty. Small hint of yeast.
Refreshing, tasty. Small hint of yeast.
9.2Alan Hyde
I thought it was not that good. Definitely tasted like it was from the U.S. A bit fruitier than the non-vintage. Julie really liked it.
I thought it was not that good. Definitely tasted like it was from the U.S. A bit fruitier than the non-vintage. Julie really liked it.
8.7Mark Juckeland
Acidic and bright. Crisp citrus and fewer bubbles than the ‘12. A very good sparkling
Acidic and bright. Crisp citrus and fewer bubbles than the ‘12. A very good sparkling
9.4Caroline Vincent
Love
Love
10Erik Sjolund
Still a very complex n HUGE wine w the pleasant but HUGE oak aling the apply fruit n slme minerality. Good bubbly - of the nuclear type.
Still a very complex n HUGE wine w the pleasant but HUGE oak aling the apply fruit n slme minerality. Good bubbly - of the nuclear type.
9.1WARNING: DRINKING DISTILLED SPIRITS, BEER, COOLERS, WINE AND OTHER ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES MAY INCREASE CANCER RISK, AND, DURING PREGNANCY, CAN CAUSE BIRTH DEFECTS.