I tried these wines at Vinexpo last week. This Champagne house was founded by Charles Emile Ellner and is still a family run business. The Fourth generation of the family is now involved in the day to day operation. The estate owns 140 acres of vineyards in 15 villages with most of them located near the town of Epernay. They have had a run of highly rated excellent Champagnes of late including 1989 and 1990 vintage Champagnes which each scored 95 points from WS. In addition to the wines below, I have tried the 1988, 1989 and 1995 Bruts over the last few years and they were all outstanding.

Here are my notes:

N/V Charles Ellner Brut Cuvee de Reserve- 40% Pinot Noir and 60% Chardonnay. Very pale color. Floral aromas. Notes of whote fruit and some nuttiness. Full bodied. Nocely balanced. 89-91 points.

N/V Charles Ellner Brut Reserve Premier Cru- 70% Pinots Noir from Verzenay and 30% Chardonnay from Cramant and Chouilly.
Straw color with golden hues. More character and depth than the regular Brut. Ripe fruit notes with almond paste. Delicate finish. 92 points.

N/V Charles Ellner Brut Carte Blanche- I have never seen this in a retail store. Sharper than the other Champagnes. Full bodied with citrus notes. 87-88 points.

N/V Charles Ellner Brut Rose'- The second time I have had this wine. 50% Pinot Meunier and 50% Pinot Noir. Clear light rose color with fine bubbles. Ripe red fruit and bread dough on the nose. A dry style with just a hint of sweetness. It had notes of citrus fruit, strawberry and almond paste. A very well constructed sparkler which was light and elegant. Long finish. I scored it slightly lower than when I first had it. 91-92 points.

1995 Charles Ellner Brut Seducion- I had the regular 1995 Brut about 6 months ago and like this special cuvee slightly better. 25% Pinot Noir and 75% Chardonnay. Again a pale gold color. More refined with lively effervesence. A rich opulent style. Aromas of cream and bread dough. A full bodied sparkler with great balance. Notes of citrus and marzipan. Long finish. 94 points.

VM

quote:

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Originally posted by Vino Me:

_N/V Charles Ellner Brut Rose'_- The second time I have had this wine. 50% Pinot Meunier and 50% Pinot Noir. Clear light rose color with fine bubbles. Ripe red fruit and bread dough on the nose. A dry style with just a hint of sweetness. It had notes of citrus fruit, strawberry and almond paste. A very well constructed sparkler which was light and elegant. Long finish. I scored it slightly lower than when I first had it. 91-92 points.

VM

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We had this to open Burgers and Bordeaux last Saturday, and would concur with the note. 92 points for me.

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Santa Cruz Mountains Vintage Chart

Tlily,

I believe the 1995 Brut (the link is above) that I had at Otis' party in January came courtesy of you also.

VM

It did. I've bought a fair amount of Charles Ellner over the years, and more the last year or so. I think it's very hard to beat QPR wise on a vintage Champagne. I'll be bringing a bottle of 95 up to Victoria to present to tyee for losing my Flames vs Sharks bet with him.

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Santa Cruz Mountains Vintage Chart

Anybody know where the Ellner Rose is still available in the Bay Area? I have been wanting to try this one but haven't seen it recently.

Wine Club in San Jose had one bottle left last weekend.

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Santa Cruz Mountains Vintage Chart

I believe I had the 1995 Charles Ellner Brut last weekend. Everyone raved, but I'm sure they didn't realize it was ~$70. I thought it may have been one of the best Champagnes I've had.

MaddDogg,

Same Wine Club in San Jose has 1995 Brut at @ $45.

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Santa Cruz Mountains Vintage Chart

N.V. Charles Ellner Champagne Brut Réserve - France, Champagne (8/16/2007)

I purchased a magnum of this wine earlier this year for about $50 and took it to the preCDP dinner at CHIC last week. 40% Pinot Noir and 60% Chardonnay. 2nd time I have had this sparkler and I liked it better from magnum this time around. Crisp and lush at the same time. Long finish. 91 points.

VM

N.V. Charles Ellner Champagne Brut Carte Blanche - France, Champagne (8/21/2007)

I bought a few of these recently for $10 each and opened one over the weekend during the first course of a dinner which was shrimp. This is roughly 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay. Second time I have had this and I liked it slightly better this time around. Crisp with good minerality and floral character. Notes of lemon and fresh pear. 89-90 points.

VM