Vintage Retrospective: 1995 & 1996 Champagne

The mid-1990s saw a duo of stellar Champagne vintages that kicked off final years of the 20th Century with a bang. At more than two decades of age, how are the 1995 and 1996 Champagnes tasting today? Antonio Galloni shares his insights with these excerpts from the Vinous Vintage Charts . 1995 Champagne: 94 Points – Drink or Hold For the last twenty years, 1995 has lived in the shadow of 1996, but I think these wines still have not had their day. It is a generally a ripe year, with healthy sugars, but acidities are also proportionally high, which has allowed the wines to age quite gracefully. An insider's vintage. 1996 Champagne: 97 Points – Drink or Hold A highly unusual, freakish vintage in which sugars and acidities were both elevated, with sugars around 10 degrees of potential alcohol and acidities of 10 grams per liter. The resulting wines are austere, tightly wound and brisk. Recent tastings have found the 1996s in great shape, although my sense is that Chardonnays and Champagnes made in more reductive styles will last longer than those made in more oxidative styles.

Charles Heidsieck

Blanc des Millénaires Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne Chardonnay 1995

Bob McDonald

9.6

So fresh you would not know it was a 1995 but disgorged in January 2014. Lemon minerality and hints of stone fruit and touch of pineapple. A fine persistent bead. The perfect balance of complexity and freshness. When I first tried this I thought it was rich enough to have a % of Pinot Noir but it is a Blanc des Blancs. Amazingly still available because they “made shitloads of it” said Stephen Leroux. A few hours later a honeyed nuance. Celebrating my 2000th Note on Delectable. I would like to congratulate Delectable for creating such an enjoyable and useable App. I can see what my American and European friends are drinking and try to purchase same. Also celebrating my son Hugh’s 31 st Birthday in New York. If anyone is looking for office space in Manhattan contact Hugh at CBRE. — 7 years ago

Casey, Ira and 25 others liked this

David T

Congrats Bob. PH, a nice bottling to celebrate!

Bob McDonald

@David T Thanks David. It never disappoints. I think I have one left 😊

Louis Roederer

Cristal Brut Champagne Chardonnay Pinot Noir Blend 1995

Lewis Chester

9.3

1995 vintage. 60% Pinot and 40% Chardonnay. Very fresh, tight nose. Medium lemon. Mineral, iron and metallic nose. Ripe lemon, no oxygenation (no MLF as usual). On the palate, very balanced and lean. No richness and fine bubbles. Clean finish. Quite long. Very elegant. Not quite at the level of 2002, but lovely nonetheless. NB: with air, some morel and white truffle notes. — 10 years ago

Matt liked this

Taittinger

Comtes de Champagne Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne Chardonnay 1996

Jörgen Lindström Carlvik

Owner, Brix Wine Consultants

9.8

A near-perfect bottle, this CdC offers candied apricots, vanilla, smoky Brioche and chalky minerals on the evolved, yet lively nose. On the palate, it literally explode with perfected bubbles, loads of fruits and mineral additions, fading flowers, vanilla custard and a boatload of ripe citrusy acidity. Long and rewarding. — 10 years ago

Anthony, Eric and 19 others liked this

Dom Pérignon

P2 Brut Champagne Blend 1996

William Hughes

9.7

Near perfection! Brioche, lemon, and minerals. The acidity is well integrated and leaves a pleasant pucker and a long finish. — 8 years ago

Carla, Daniel and 6 others liked this

Philipponnat

Clos des Goisses Champagne Blend 1996

Michael Cruse

Owner Cruse Wine Company

9.5

Took a bit of time to open up, but then was one of the more exceptional bottles of champagne I've had in a while. — 9 years ago

Thomas, Velma and 11 others liked this

Dom Pérignon

Brut Champagne Blend 1995

Thomas Hughes

9.8

Truly spectacular champagne! The carbonation flattened with the bottle age yielding a sweeter fruit glass. If there was such a thing as a sparkling Sauterne, this would be it. One of my favorite Champagnes, period. Cheers! — 10 years ago

Greg liked this

Krug

Brut Champagne Blend 1995

Andrew Lampasone

Owner Wine Watch Selections

9.2

Complex aromas of hazelnut candied ginger and still a good bit of fruit fine silky bubbles candied lemon and a long layered finish. Finish 50+ biscuit most excellent — 10 years ago

jesus, Eric and 3 others liked this

Ruinart

Dom Ruinart Brut Rosé Champagne Blend 1996

Justin Timsit, MS

Wine Director, The Rittenhouse

9.8

Bread dough, strawberry cream, nuts, cheese rind, mushroom, chalk and I could go on for days... — 9 years ago

Revi and Greg liked this

Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin

La Grande Dame Brut Champagne Blend 1995

Sarah C

9.7

Beautiful apple pie spice, citrus, hints of lees, hazelnut and chalk. Simply fabulous. To enjoy alongside Veuve Cliquot's Chef de Cave Dominique DeMarville was amazing! — 9 years ago