My wife and I brought the 1988 to dinner with Pinot Envy and her husband. The 1995 was opened at Otis' Cellar Diminishment Party. Bruce Sanderson loves this Champagne house and with good reason. I could not find a score for the 1988; but, he gave the 1989, 1990 and 1995 all 95 points. My previous notes on the 1989 Charles Ellner Brut and the NV Charles Ellner Brut Rose' can be found at these links. You can also find some background info on the winery at these links.

1988 Ellner Brut- I preferred this bottle and its extended aging to the 1995 but not by much. As with most of Ellner's vintage wines, this had a very nice structure and tended to be on the drier side. Extremely focused with a fine mousse. Notes of almond and citrus and a very clean finish. Vibrant acidity that cuts like a knife. 94 points.

1995 Ellner Brut- The cepage of Ellners vintage Champagnes changes from year to year. Sometimes dramatically. This wine is made of 60% Chardonnay and 40% Pinot Noir which represents more PN than is normally present and it showed. Much more powerful and round than the 1988. A fuller body with crisp nutty, marzipan and almond paste notes which turned rather peanutty on the finish. 93 points.

VM

I didn't love the 95 when we tasted it on Saturday, but I will admit that my palate was already awash in many wines. I think it was very tight and maybe needs a few more years to calm down. I will also admit that my palate is not finely tuned when it comes to champagne.

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Yes, but I came here for an argument.

Oh! Oh! I'm sorry, this is abuse.

I'd have to agree with Grossie on both points 1)Wasn't impressed, 2)My palate was done.

Vino Me, maybe you could start arriving on time so that we can taste these things BEFORE drinking ten thousand reds.

Thanks for the notes - I remember when I was 22 years old, I bought a bottle of the '85 Ellner (I think) from wine.com for my dad's 50th birthday. I remember it being a very beautiful looking bottle, and the wine IIRC was toasty and yeasty. Not having had any vintage champagne (or much champagne experience for that matter) at that time, I did not know what to think of it.

RD,

I did not bring the 1995 Ellner to the CDP. It was there when I arrived sitting unopened still in the plastic wrap with the other Champagnes. I opened it and tried it at the start of the night. The problem is that you youngsters can't pace yourself.

VM

It was mine. I stuck it in the ice as soon as we arrived, but left it in the wrapper so no one got warm bubbly. When I went up to check on it, it had been opened. I had notes up on the 89, which I opened on Boxing Day, up here as well.

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Santa Cruz Mountains Vintage Chart

Tlily,

Your notes and score on the 1989 Ellner are similar to mine. VM93 vs. TL94.

VM

Vino Me,

WS rated the 1988 94 points (in the same issue as they rated the 1989 and 1990, no review, just a score in the tasting report). I've recently tried the 88, 89, 90, and 95 and preferred the 88, although they are all good. They all have some toastiness and nice fruit, but are still youthful and have plenty of acidity, which will enable them to improve with further aging.

Scott

VM--what did you pay for the 95? I can get it on sale here, although I can't recall the price. As I've noted elsewhere, I've become fascinated with Champagne as of late, and want to familiarize myself with as many producers as possible. So far, I have tried Piper Heidseick NV, Veuve Cliquot NV, and Bollinger Special Cuvee NV. The Veuve has been my favorite, followed by the Bollinger.

How would you say the Ellner compares? (I realize it's vintage. I mean, style-wise) Thx.

P.S.--this is MBD--new computer, forums access problems, little help from the online staff, new name, 'nuff said.

It was between $40 and $50 MBD. Can't rememember exactly, but it was fairly recent so a search through "What are you buying" over the past 4-5 months might find it.

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Santa Cruz Mountains Vintage Chart

MBD,

My notes on the 3 nonvintage Champagnes you mention can be found here. The vintage Ellners are a definite step up in quality from them. It is similar in style to the Bollinger and the Piper and more lean, crisp and austere than the Veuve. I think the Ellners are characterized by a very solid structure and almond notes.

I have found the 1988, 1989 and 1990 all at reasonable prices at Sams during their warehouse sales. At the sales they sell for about $37. Ellners Rose' is even less that that.

VM