Jay Kline
Presented double-blind. The wine appears straw in color with medium viscosity and, apparently, there lots of tiny bubbles so there are signs of gas, LOL. On the nose, the wine is developing with heady notes of ripe orchard fruit, red forest berries, marzipan, lemon curd, fresh brioche. On the palate, the wine is dry with high acidity. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish lasts for an eternity. The texture is ever so creamy. Wow…well, I was drinking something special. Had to be Champagne. Maybe vintage? Maybe a tête de cuvée? The style was similar to Krug. Called Champagne from a producer like Krug. OMG…the 1996 Vintage Brut?! Sheesh…someone was feeling generous! Admitted, I don’t often get to drink vintage Krug (for many hundreds of reasons!) so my experience is obviously limited. However, there’s clearly no question in this being true to house style and, now that I know the vintage, this is showing why 1996 is so special. As others have noted, this is fresher than the 1995 I had some months ago (though, that was very special too) and had greater acid. I would like to think this provides a crystal ball for the 2008 vintage that is sure to follow a similar trajectory. Drinking very fine indeed, right now and should continue to do so through 2046…depending on how you like to drink your Champagne.
Presented double-blind. The wine appears straw in color with medium viscosity and, apparently, there lots of tiny bubbles so there are signs of gas, LOL. On the nose, the wine is developing with heady notes of ripe orchard fruit, red forest berries, marzipan, lemon curd, fresh brioche. On the palate, the wine is dry with high acidity. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish lasts for an eternity. The texture is ever so creamy. Wow…well, I was drinking something special. Had to be Champagne. Maybe vintage? Maybe a tête de cuvée? The style was similar to Krug. Called Champagne from a producer like Krug. OMG…the 1996 Vintage Brut?! Sheesh…someone was feeling generous! Admitted, I don’t often get to drink vintage Krug (for many hundreds of reasons!) so my experience is obviously limited. However, there’s clearly no question in this being true to house style and, now that I know the vintage, this is showing why 1996 is so special. As others have noted, this is fresher than the 1995 I had some months ago (though, that was very special too) and had greater acid. I would like to think this provides a crystal ball for the 2008 vintage that is sure to follow a similar trajectory. Drinking very fine indeed, right now and should continue to do so through 2046…depending on how you like to drink your Champagne.
9.7Conrad Green
This is super fresh but ready to go. Bright lifted lemon and limestone fruit. Super bright and intense and detailed in the palate. Really vivid and dynamic. Still young. Really good.
This is super fresh but ready to go. Bright lifted lemon and limestone fruit. Super bright and intense and detailed in the palate. Really vivid and dynamic. Still young. Really good.
9.7jesus g
Hospitality Schramsberg Vineyards
Perfection
Perfection
10Lee Pitofsky
In such a killer spot. Wow. One of the all time greats, 1996 is explosive tonight, wafting from the glass with stunning aromatics of honeycomb, dried orchard fruits, roasted nuts and drizzles of caramel. The palate is expansive, textural, incredibly deep and sensual with brilliant density. There is such an incredible combination of freshness and secondary character of an aged Champagne, and its racy citrusy acids bring it all home. I have to believe there can be some bottle variation, but this one, absolutely perfect. Amazing wine.
In such a killer spot. Wow. One of the all time greats, 1996 is explosive tonight, wafting from the glass with stunning aromatics of honeycomb, dried orchard fruits, roasted nuts and drizzles of caramel. The palate is expansive, textural, incredibly deep and sensual with brilliant density. There is such an incredible combination of freshness and secondary character of an aged Champagne, and its racy citrusy acids bring it all home. I have to believe there can be some bottle variation, but this one, absolutely perfect. Amazing wine.
9.9David Goldmuntz
Birthday Champagne
Birthday Champagne
9.8Andrew Lohse
Delicious.
Delicious.
9.4Yoon Ha
Master Sommelier/Wine Director Benu
The '96 is still harder and coarser than I would like.
The '96 is still harder and coarser than I would like.
8.8Michael Ochsner
Brilliant
Brilliant
9.6Conrad Green
Very intense and bright. Tightly coiled with crystal clear detailed acid and a beautiful powerful middle. Incredible fruit and minerality bunched like a fist. Goes on for ages. The last few bottles I've tried have been advanced- this is a baby with huge promise. Go figure
Very intense and bright. Tightly coiled with crystal clear detailed acid and a beautiful powerful middle. Incredible fruit and minerality bunched like a fist. Goes on for ages. The last few bottles I've tried have been advanced- this is a baby with huge promise. Go figure
9.4James Cahill
‘96 from Mag.
‘96 from Mag.
Location
WARNING: DRINKING DISTILLED SPIRITS, BEER, COOLERS, WINE AND OTHER ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES MAY INCREASE CANCER RISK, AND, DURING PREGNANCY, CAN CAUSE BIRTH DEFECTS.