We tasted through the menu they were pouring that day, which sadly did not include the '99. However, they still had some for sale, and while they warned us that it had aged and was perhaps toastier now than what we had purchased in '06, we went for 2 bottles anyway. I would have liked to have gotten more, but the price had soared to around $60 a bottle. But for nostalgia purposes, it was worth it this time.
Brut MV: $21. Crisp, apple, citrus, lively.
Brut Magnum: $43. Creamy, toasty, green apple, very different from the regular bottle size.
Brut Rose MV: $28. Not very pink, in fact almost clear unless you put it up against the white wall, very dry, crisp, slight fruit.
2000 L'Ermitage Brut: $45. Toasted almonds, apples.
Extra Dry: $23. Sweeter than the Brut, but still dry. Showed mostly apples and a little honey. Originally created for the White House.
Pinot Noir: $23. Cherry, currants, spice, peppery, red fruit, earth, leather.
Chardonnay: $19. Mineral, crisp, tropical, citrus, creamier in the mouth, vanilla.
We took home 2 '99 L'Ermitage Bruts, 2 Extra Drys, and 1 Brut Rose. I've been told it's time to drink the '99, so we will likely haul one out in a few months for our second anniversary. As usual, Roederer's sparkling offerings were excellent, and I wish we could have taken home more. I also love the setting and tasting room at Roederer, the tasting bar looks out across the small front lawn where a family of Quail live. On our first visit the Quail had a very small family, but this time it looked like they were nesting and getting ready for a new family. The tasting room staff was very friendly and pointed us in the direction of a few of their favorite, not to miss vineyards. More on those later.
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I loved Roederer, as well. Some of the best wines in Anderson Valley.
Hope to get back there sooner than later.
4/15/08, 10:52 AM
I had the same reaction to the rose--are you sure this is the right wine?? Weird. But it is always fun at Roederer when they pour sparklers from 750s and magnums--you really see how the format changes the taste of the wine as it ages.
4/15/08, 12:08 PM
I never made it to Roederer last fall - I was very disappointed, as I find the Brut to be a tremendous value in the bubbles category. You have piqued my interest in that L'Hermitage...
4/20/08, 12:05 AM
Farley, definitely worth a second trip!
I do love seeing the taste from the magnums Dr. Debs. I wish they weren't so hard to ship home or we would have taken a few with us!
Joe, one you should really try to hit if you make it to CA wine country again. I love the L'Hermitage, and really wavered between taking home the '99 or going with the 2000, both were excellent....
6/4/08, 8:30 PM