Charles Ellner Grande Reserve Brut (1.5 Liter Magnum)
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Winemaker Notes
An attractive color announces the intensity of this blend. The nose is lively and vinous. It develops fresh and floral aromas, with a touch of fruitiness and mineral notes. This is a perfectly balanced blend, with finesse and longevity on its lengthy finish.
Blend: 60% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir
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Wine Enthusiast
With a predominance of Chardonnay, this tightly crisp wine has a steely, mineral character. It is tight, tense and nervy while not losing sight of lemon and white fruit flavors. Finely structured and impressive, it has a well-balanced dosage to round things out at the end.
- Wine Spectator
Champagne Charles Ellner, in the heart of Epernay, was and is a family business. At the end of the 19th century, Charles Emile Ellner, the founder of the House, began acquiring small vineyards in Epernay while also starting his career as a professional “riddler”. In 1905, he first released Champagne under his own name.
Today the house is run by Jean-Pierre Ellner, one of the grandsons of the estate’s founder. His nephews Frederic and Arnaud Ellner manage vineyards and production. His daughters Emmanuelle Foulon Ellner and Alexandra Ellner also work at the estate.
None of Charles Ellner’s wines see malolactic fermentation. All are 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.