Sherbrooke Cellars © Copyright
Charles Ellner
Winery
Charles Ellner has become an OVERNIGHT SUCCESS for Sherbrooke Cellars. An estate with a laundry list of high scores and reviews with the Wine Spectator but without a lot of history in the U.S. market. The Estate is situated in Epernay, the heart of the Champagne region, and was founded in 1972 by Charles Ellner, a professional riddler who had been buying his own vineyards on the side and making small production champagnes for a small but dedicated clientele. Since then, Charles Ellner has grown to become a large and worldwide esteemed family-owned brand. In the hands of the fourth generation, the house now encompasses more than 54 hectares of vineyards in 15 villages situated throughout the principal vinegrowing areas of Champagne (Montagne de Reims, Côte des Blancs, Valle de la Marne, Région de Sézanne, L’Aisne and L’Aube) and of course Epernay, producing about 1,000,000 bottles annually with their own styles, flavors and consistency in quality, as one cuvee succeeds another. The diverse Champagne Charles Ellner brand will suit all palates for any occasions.
Seventy percent of their production is domaine, whereas the other thirty percent is purchased in grapes (not juice, a big difference) through very stringent selection. None of the wines see malolactic fermentation. They are all fermented in stainless-steel tanks to preserve fresh fruit flavors (only the Chardonnay blended into the vintage wines spends a few months in giant oak barrels between primary fermentation and bottling). They are then left to sit on their lees for a minimum of 4 years (the law is only 18 months) to allow the wines to soften a bit, fill out, and become beautifully drinkable upon release yet ageable at the same time. They use no Pinot Meunier, as they don’t deem it part of a long-ageing blend.
Visit the winery at www.champagne-ellner.com
Wines
Cuvee De Reserve Brut NV
60% Chardonnay and 40% Pinot Noir. The Chardonnay grapes are from vineyards in Aube, Barbonne, Bernon, Epernay, Avize, and Tauxièrs. The Pinot Noir grapes are from vineyards in Venteuil, Epernay, Barbonne, Moussy, Chavot, Verneuil, Damery, and Orbais. Disgorged in June 2010. Dosage 10 g/l.
The NV Brut Cuvee de Reserve is a tasty, entry-level Champagne. Expressive, well-delineated aromatics lead to a focused core of fruit as this fresh, vibrant wine opens up in the glass. This shows lovely freshness married to the weight that comes from the Pinot, in an engaging, highly pleasing style. This is one of the finest wines I have tasted from Ellner. The Cuvee de Reserve is 60% Chardonnay and 40% Pinot Noir from the 2004 and 2003 harvests. Dosage was 10 grams per liter. This is Lot LC1043025XEL035, disgorged June, 2010.
90 points, Wine Advocate # 192, 12/2010
Very fresh Champagne, the grapefruit crispness lying over a taut texture of apple skins and tight acidity. There is a great depth of flavor, a wine that has some complexity. The aftertaste has mouthwatering acidity.
Wine Enthusiast 12/2010 issue
A dry, minerally style,with light chalky acidity framing the frothy bead and flavors of biscuit, quince, candied lemon peel and fresh ginger. Lightly juicy and mouth watering through to the finish. Best from 2013-through 2018. – A.N.
91 points, Wine Spectator, December 2011
Miscellaneous formats are available.
tech sheet / shelf talker
Rosé Brut NV
50% Chardonnay, 50% Pinot Noir. 15% still red wine from grapes grown in Epernay. The rest is composed of 25% grapes from Barbonne, 18% grapes from Moussy, and 17% grapes from Rilly and Sermiers. Disgorged in March 2010. Dosage is 10 g/l.
A finely balanced, mouthwatering rosé, with firm acidity backing flavors of tangy cherry, candiedstrawberry, toast, smoke and spiced plum. Bright and lively, with a clean mineral finish. Drink now through 2016. A.N.
91 points, Wine Spectator, December 2011
Miscellaneous formats are available.
tech sheet / shelf talker
Brut Millesime Prestige 2001
60% Chardonnay selected from our vineyards of Avize and Chouilly – 40% Pinot Noir. Dosage is 6 g/l. No malo-lactic fermentation.
Harvest 2001 – Bottled in 2002 – 9 Years aging on the yeast
This vintage champagne has a generous and persistent mousse, and a bright gold colour. It has a complex nose, fusing woody hints with notes of toasted bread and brioche. In the mouth, the finish is long and lasting, lively and generous. This Champagne will be perfect as an aperitif or to accompany poultry dishes.
A taut, mineral wine with a dominance of Chardonnay to give the crispest citrus and a very textured feel. Definitely dry, the wine, not from a classic vintage year, seems still young and all fruit, so it would be worth aging for 3–4 years.
90 Points, Wine Enthusiast, November 2011
tech sheet
Cuvee Seduction Brut 1999
55% Chardonnay (aged in used oak barrels) and 45% Pinot Noir. 36% grapes from Epernay, 12% from Verzy, 22% from Villers-Marmery, 13% from Avize and 21% Chouilly. Disgorged in January 2010. Dosage is 6 g/l.
70% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir. All Grand Cru fruit … This shows refinement. The mousse is supple and the structure bright, providing the stage for roasted almond, mushroom and toast flavors. Has length, with a chalklike sensation on the finish. Drink now through 2015 …
92 points, Wine Spectator
TThe 1999 Brut Seduction is 55% Chardonnay and 45% Pinot Noir that seems a few months in oak. This shows lovely richness and depth, along with an extra layer of volume from the partial aging in oak barrels. Voluptuous and creamy to the finish, the Seduction impresses for its fine balance and round, harmonious finish. This is Lot LSE995003XNO036, disgorged January, 2010.
91 points, Wine Advocate # 192, 12/2010
In the case of this Champagne’s label, it’s the women seducing the man. And, yes, this is an elegant Champagne, dominated by crisp Chardonnay acidity, ripe apples and citrus. There is minerality to add to the stylish mix.
91 points, Wine Enthusiast 12/2010 issue
tech sheet
Cuvee Seduction Brut 2001
Ripe, fruity Champagne, with a great toast element that creates a rich and structured wine. It has fine tropical fruits, laced with intense acidity. Dominated by Chardonnay, this is an impressive wine that is now ready to drink.
92 Points, Wine Enthusiast, November 2011
Balanced, though firm, with modest quince paste, dried apricot and licorice notes set on fine texture. It’s powered by racy acidity and a streak of minerality, driving through to the zesty finish. Drink now through 2020. 224 cases imported. –AN
90 points, Wine Spectator, December 2011