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+.
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+.
Mar 17th, 2024
Lovely. Spent sometime in neutral oak. Apple cider-green & dominate red, bruised pear, overripe pineapple juice, tropical melons, ginger ale, white cream, some overripe white peach, saline, sea fossils/spray, limestone alluvial minerals, bread dough, yeastiness, moist/wet chalkiness, yellow, white flowers, excellent, round, acidity, well; knitted, structured, nicely tensioned, balanced & evenly polished finished that lasts two-minutes.
Lovely. Spent sometime in neutral oak. Apple cider-green & dominate red, bruised pear, overripe pineapple juice, tropical melons, ginger ale, white cream, some overripe white peach, saline, sea fossils/spray, limestone alluvial minerals, bread dough, yeastiness, moist/wet chalkiness, yellow, white flowers, excellent, round, acidity, well; knitted, structured, nicely tensioned, balanced & evenly polished finished that lasts two-minutes.
Dec 16th, 2023
From mag. This is very good. Open knit, fresh bright fruit, hints of biscuit and corn. Lovely salinity and balance. Fine and long. A great bottle.
From mag. This is very good. Open knit, fresh bright fruit, hints of biscuit and corn. Lovely salinity and balance. Fine and long. A great bottle.
Jul 8th, 2023Light pink. Soft strawberry, slate, salinity. Precise and structured. Good
Light pink. Soft strawberry, slate, salinity. Precise and structured. Good
Jan 1st, 2023
A stunner. Mouth filling and weightless all at once. Focused and linear but adding layers with air. Better at 55° than 45°. Marmalade croissants. Hard to take a sip without vocalizing how delicious it is.
A stunner. Mouth filling and weightless all at once. Focused and linear but adding layers with air. Better at 55° than 45°. Marmalade croissants. Hard to take a sip without vocalizing how delicious it is.
Jan 1st, 2023
Brought to a nice dinner at our friend’s place on the Big Island. Nice youthful color with ample energy. Notes of citrus, bread basket and tan spice. Pretty good.
Brought to a nice dinner at our friend’s place on the Big Island. Nice youthful color with ample energy. Notes of citrus, bread basket and tan spice. Pretty good.
Dec 18th, 2022
Loads of Various Fruit Flava, Lovely Mousse, Excellent Energy & Verve
a little shy on the nose but otherwise stellar!
Loads of Various Fruit Flava, Lovely Mousse, Excellent Energy & Verve
a little shy on the nose but otherwise stellar!
Nov 30th, 2022Medium gold color with great energy. Awesome nose with some aged notes. Citrus, toast, spice and some guava/kiwi. Great texture in the mouth. This is in a great spot.
Medium gold color with great energy. Awesome nose with some aged notes. Citrus, toast, spice and some guava/kiwi. Great texture in the mouth. This is in a great spot.
Jun 9th, 2022
Aÿ, Vallée de la Marne, Champagne, France
