Summer Sparklers tasting notes

Let me start by saying that 4 out of 19 bottles tasted were "off."  What do I mean by "off?"  The bottles were improperly stored, causing the corks to dry out and fail.  This in turn allows oxygen into the bottle and causes the wine to age in the bottle as is it has been left open; often causing an off-odor or caramel like / maderized flavor.  The importance of this information is: 1) Always buy wine from a reputable wine dealer.  2) Ask questions about your stores storage methods.  3) Ask the store about their return policies.  If they won't refund your money or exchange bottles of returned wine, shop at another store.  The ideal storage of wines is at 50-60 degrees Fahrenheit and 65-75% humidity.  The bottles should also be stored on their sides to help eliminate corks from drying out.  That being said, most people don't want to shop in a store that is 50-60 degrees and humid. They also want to see their bottles standing up so they can read the labels.  So... beware, don't buy dusty bottles.  Shop in stores that are busy and have a high turn over of their products.  This way you are less likely to get a bottle that has been stored upright on a shelf too long and possibly bad.  It only supports what I've always said; don't save the wine for a special occasion, the wine is the occasion!

1) Marteluzzu Prosecco; Italy NV
This wine has a slightly doughy nose with scents of strawberry and citrus and finishes in the mouth slightly sweet with accents of lemon peel, peach and apple.
83, drink now.

2) Zardetto Prosecco; Italy NV
The nose gave off scents of honey, anise, biscuits, rose petals and lemon peel.  In the mouth it was slightly tart  and confirmed flavors of the same.
84, drink now.  Approximate retail, $12.99

3) Schloss Biebrich, sekt; Germany NV
This wine carried an aroma of candied orange peel. While the wine was slightly sweet with a slight bitter finish, it drank with flavors cake batter and stonefruit with a creamy mouthfeel.
BEST BUY 84, drink now. Approximate retail, $4.99, Trader Joe's exclusive.

4) Gruet, Brut; New Mexico NV
The nose gives hints of toast and orange marmalade. The wine is dry and has flavors of berry and citrus, with a slightly short bitter finish.
83, drink now. Approximate retail, $10.99

5) Gruet, Blanc de Noir; New Mexico NV
Aromas of cinnamon danish and pear.  The wine drank with flavors of apple, pear and pineapple.
85, drink now. Approximate retail, $10.99

6) Gruet, Brut Rose; New Mexico NV
While this wine gave off aromas of strawberry rhubarb pie, it drank with flavors of sour cherry, honey and red licorice and hinted at flavors of dough.
85, drink now.  Approximate retail, $11.99

7) Gruet, Demi-Sec; New Mexico NV
Aromas of melon and honey and drank with flavors of green apple, honey dew and creamy vanilla finish.
84, drink now.  Approximate retail, $10.99

8) Charles de Fere, Blanc de Blanc, reserve Bru; France NV
This wine starts out with floral and bread dough notes and leads into tastes of almond paste and pear with a nice creamy balance.
BEST BUY 88, drink now.  Approximate retail, $8.99

9) Varichon & Clerc "Privilege," Blanc de Blanc; France NV
This wine was very enjoyable. It starts with pineapple on the nose which continues through to the palate with the addition of blackberry.  This wine is pure fruit driven, clean and crisp with no yeasty tones at all.
BEST BUY 90, drink now.  Approximate retail, $10.49

10) Scharffenberger, Brut; Anderson Valley, California NV
Not tasted due to an "off" bottle.
Approximate retail, $15.99

11) Schramsberg, Blanc de Blanc, Brut vintage 2006; California
This wine is 100% Chardonnay and has aromas of toasted nuts, cocoa and pastry dough.  It carries through to be slightly sweet with flavors of citrus and pineapple.
83, drink now.  Approximate retail, $20.99

12) Schramsberg, Blanc de Noir, Brut vintage 2006; California
This wine is made up of 90% Pinot Noir and 10% Chardonnay.  Aromas of carrot juice give way to tastes of berry and pineapple. This example is fairly complex with a tangy acidity.
84, drink now.  Approximate retail, $25.99

13) Montaudon, Brut; Champagne, France NV   375ml
Not tasted due to an "off" bottle.
Approximate retail, $15.99

14) Freixenet cordon negro, Brut; Spain NV
 A nose of flowery hand soap and baked apples. The wine itself is very dry, clean and crisp with flavors of lemon peel.  Overall not very well balanced.
82, drink now. Approximate retail, $8.99

15) Mumm Napa cuvee M; Napa Valley, California NV
Aromas of baked bread, orange cream, honey and grapefruit. The wine tastes of pink grapefruit, meringue and mandarin orange.
83, drink now.  Approximate retail, $17.99

16) Mumm Napa, Brut prestige; Napa Valley, California
Aromas of baked bread and orange carry through to tastes of lime, toast and tart apple. The wine has a good balance and nice mouthfeel.
85, drink now.  Approximate retail, $17.99

17) Jacquart, Brut Mosaique; Champagne, France NV
The wine had a salty aroma of steamed shellfish that quickly blew off to scents of buttered rolls.  when tasted the wine was rich and dry with a buttery acidity.  With flavors of brioche, this is classic Champagne.  Try pairing with a ripe Brie.
89, drink now or hold 1-3 years.  Approximate retail, $23.99

18) Veuve Clicquot, Brut; Champagne, France NV
Not tasted due to an "off" bottle.
Approximate retail, $39.99
19) Nicolas Feuillatte, Brut; Champagne, France NV
Not tasted due to an "off" bottle.
Approximate retail, $34.99