What's the deal with 1996 champagnes? Another oxidized Dom Perignon

[Blake_Brown]

‘96 Salon and Comtes have been consistent, glorious experiences for me, but ‘96 La Grande Dame broke my heart!

96 Grande Dame was great on release, but quickly matured and is very hit or miss today with most of the bottles being misses. Another underachiever although it was worth it on release and for the next few years.

That was my experience as well. Loved it in the beginning and then it just went south as did the 1990 and the 1995 and the 1998 and …

[ybarselah]

brad - if i don’t say it as often as i should, i certainly think it every time i read your posts; the content you provide here is in the top 0.1% on wine, anywhere. so, thank you.

[John_Morris]

Blake - What was the provenance, and who was the importer?

John, the provenance was really good. Cellared properly for a decade, but who knows what before that? Don’t know the importer, but will ask.

So purchased on the secondary market?

[Blake_Brown]

Blake - What was the provenance, and who was the importer?

John, the provenance was really good. Cellared properly for a decade, but who knows what before that? Don’t know the importer, but will ask.

So purchased on the secondary market?

Probably, but I will ask. He does travel and buy in France.

[Blake_Brown]

brad - if i don’t say it as often as i should, i certainly think it every time i read your posts; the content you provide here is in the top 0.1% on wine, anywhere. so, thank you.

Totally agree. I’ve been so appreciative of Brad`s input and willingness to provide such repeatedly for many years now.

[Nathan_V]

I have had “early oxidized” ‘96s from Bolly, Egly, Pierre Peters and others. Been a troublesome vintage for years.

I had both those in bold and it was shocking. Tasting them as young wines, I would have never guessed that would happen. They were Vezan and Theise bottles through official channels, not grey market.

[David_Bu3ker]

I have had “early oxidized” ‘96s from Bolly, Egly, Pierre Peters and others. Been a troublesome vintage for years.

I had both those in bold and it was shocking. Tasting them as young wines, I would have never guessed that would happen. They were Vezan and Theise bottles through official channels, not grey market.

Mine were official channels as well. And Terry was with Skurnik, so it wasn’t the Kronheim heat damage era.