Slightest pink tone to the Champagne. Lovely mouth filling texture! Pear and strawberry aromas. High acidity due to no MLF. A bit of yellow apple on the bud. — a month ago
From magnum, the 1996 Grande Année pours a brilliant pale gold color with a persistent mousse. Initially, the wine showed more oxidative notes but it freshened up considerably with air (in fact, a tiny amount was leftover for the next morning and it remained brilliant, racy even!). On the nose, notes of almond, citrus, honey, chalky minerals and brioche. On the palate, wine is developing with absolutely brilliant acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and zippy. The 1996 vintage is simply amazing. Here we are, 28 years past vintage and this bright and full of life! Granted, it’s a magnum, but still. Drink now with patience or enjoy through 2046+. — 2 months ago
This is a great bubbly for a great price. — 11 days ago
Beautiful way to start our celebration for Tiva’s birthday! — 17 days ago
2018 Disgorgement is on fire tonight, intensely aromatic and simply unmistakable with its infinite layers of spiced red berry fruit, blood orange and chalky minerals that wrap around the palate, with singular texture, weight and density, giving way to a chiseled, vibrant and incredibly long finale. Just nothing like it. — a month ago
liked! had at ital restaurant in napa — a month ago
Andrew Cullimore
Medium lemon yellow , persistent fine perlage . At first quite shy , needs a bit of time to get going . Then buttered pastry , confit lemon and roast nuts , quite bold and rich , just a hint of chalky minerality . On the palate the richer , deeper theme continues , those pastry and buttery notes , confit lemon and a creamy mouthfeel . Long balanced finish , the chalky acidity really helping to cut through richer , mouth filling profile . Coming back to this at the end of the meal , having sat 6 hours in the glass , this still shows remarkable freshness and life. This seems young to me still , certainly has everything for a long life ahead , better in 5 years perhaps and will show well a further 10-15 perhaps . — 8 days ago