After opening a 2012 two weeks ago, I wanted to check in with the 2005. I also open a vintage L’Ermitage every 4th of July (as well as a bottle of zin), as it’s hard to beat this American sparkler at the price (and if you can, tell me).
Again, just a total QPR winner as evidence by this being 16yrs young. I believe this is the “oldest” L’Ermitage I’ve had, and my love for this sparkler is cemented. At its age, it really hasn’t oxidized much at all. I get a kiss of an autolysis flair here, but it’s more just rich and flamboyant. Yeasty/toasty. Toffee, honeycomb (always get that with these), sea salt and cinnamon topped golden delicious apple. Added notes of bruised pear and caramel round out the rich, yet vibrant, finish. The fact that these (yes, this vintage) can be picked up locally at $45-50 is just crazy. Takes a lot of restraint to not buy all they have.
After opening a 2012 two weeks ago, I wanted to check in with the 2005. I also open a vintage L’Ermitage every 4th of July (as well as a bottle of zin), as it’s hard to beat this American sparkler at the price (and if you can, tell me).
Again, just a total QPR winner as evidence by this being 16yrs young. I believe this is the “oldest” L’Ermitage I’ve had, and my love for this sparkler is cemented. At its age, it really hasn’t oxidized much at all. I get a kiss of an autolysis flair here, but it’s more just rich and flamboyant. Yeasty/toasty. Toffee, honeycomb (always get that with these), sea salt and cinnamon topped golden delicious apple. Added notes of bruised pear and caramel round out the rich, yet vibrant, finish. The fact that these (yes, this vintage) can be picked up locally at $45-50 is just crazy. Takes a lot of restraint to not buy all they have.
Jul 6th, 2021
One of the best (if not THE best) domestic Premier Cuvée sparklers around. Recently released, showing beautifully. Again, that amazing acidity surrounded by green apple, minerals, strawberries, violets, and a hint of toasty yeast. God bless Sur Lie aging.
One of the best (if not THE best) domestic Premier Cuvée sparklers around. Recently released, showing beautifully. Again, that amazing acidity surrounded by green apple, minerals, strawberries, violets, and a hint of toasty yeast. God bless Sur Lie aging.
3 people found it helpfulAug 22nd, 2014
Nose has beautiful saline mousse of lemon curd, slightly oxidized tart green apple peel, freshly baked sourdough bread and cold limestone slab.
Palate has day old bread, dried-shaved ginger, dried lemon pith, squeeze of lemon juice, touch of sweet caramel notes with great acidity, and forever finish. Opulent!
Wow, just wow, enthralled by the aromas coming out of the Gabriel Glas! The palate is just dancing like a Ginger Rogers, matching Fred Astaire doing everything ‘backwards and in high heels’. Hands down the finest version of this California sparkling wine ever passing my lips.
As this warms in the glass it's just even more amazing, moving from 9.4 to 9.5!
Nose has beautiful saline mousse of lemon curd, slightly oxidized tart green apple peel, freshly baked sourdough bread and cold limestone slab.
Palate has day old bread, dried-shaved ginger, dried lemon pith, squeeze of lemon juice, touch of sweet caramel notes with great acidity, and forever finish. Opulent!
Wow, just wow, enthralled by the aromas coming out of the Gabriel Glas! The palate is just dancing like a Ginger Rogers, matching Fred Astaire doing everything ‘backwards and in high heels’. Hands down the finest version of this California sparkling wine ever passing my lips.
As this warms in the glass it's just even more amazing, moving from 9.4 to 9.5!
1 person found it helpfulApr 11th, 2020
1.5L
Oct 30th, 2016
Vintage 2005
Jun 27th, 2016
Happy Tuesday
Apr 13th, 2016
Tete de cuvée from Anderson Valley. Aged 4 years on the lees, with 4% of reserve wine from 2003 aged 5 years in French oak. Offers a sophisticated palette of baked pear pastry with ginger and anise, lemon and briny mineral notes, and pecan croissant. Fine velvety bead.
Tete de cuvée from Anderson Valley. Aged 4 years on the lees, with 4% of reserve wine from 2003 aged 5 years in French oak. Offers a sophisticated palette of baked pear pastry with ginger and anise, lemon and briny mineral notes, and pecan croissant. Fine velvety bead.
Dec 13th, 2015
The one California sparkling wine that competes with Champagne - still a fuller, richer body though.
The one California sparkling wine that competes with Champagne - still a fuller, richer body though.
Oct 31st, 2015
Evolved already. Plenty of marzipan, brioche, cream. Pleasant and persistent mousse, but pretty mature flavors and aromas.
Evolved already. Plenty of marzipan, brioche, cream. Pleasant and persistent mousse, but pretty mature flavors and aromas.
Jun 24th, 2015
Celebrating the birth of our first and the 5 th generation born n raised on our property. Yum, lik yeast/bread, citrus, floral, acid yum!
Celebrating the birth of our first and the 5 th generation born n raised on our property. Yum, lik yeast/bread, citrus, floral, acid yum!
Feb 8th, 2015
Anderson Valley, North Coast, California, USA
