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1996 Champagne recommendations - 6/4/2008 8:06:02 AM   
Kwoksun

 

Posts: 8
Joined: 6/1/2008
Status: offline 		I’d like to get some 1996 vintage champagne to celebrate my son’s graduation or wedding, whichever comes first, as that is his year of birth.  Any recommendations that can hold for 20+ years?  Price point between $80-$150, please.
Post #: 1
RE: 1996 Champagne recommendations - 6/4/2008 8:13:59 AM   
Colonel Lawrence

 

Posts: 2093
Joined: 4/24/2006
From: Arabia
Status: offline 		Well apart from the price Dom Perignon would be a great idea.
The 1996 is rather expensive now I'm afraid.
L.

(in reply to Kwoksun)
Post #: 2
RE: 1996 Champagne recommendations - 6/4/2008 8:17:53 AM   
Colonel Lawrence

 

Posts: 2093
Joined: 4/24/2006
From: Arabia
Status: offline 		Of course 20 years will be stretching it (esp. if you mean from now and not 1996).
Wouldn't you consider an excellent Claret, 1996 was a good year and it's not priced too bad.
L.

< Message edited by Colonel Lawrence -- 6/4/2008 8:18:22 AM >

(in reply to Colonel Lawrence)
Post #: 3
RE: 1996 Champagne recommendations - 6/4/2008 6:15:12 PM   
deb293

 

Posts: 294
Joined: 8/24/2005
Status: offline 		http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=150584

Before you insist on a 20+ year drinking window for Champagne, you may want to purchase an older bottle to see if you like it.  Mature Champagne can be a conversation piece, and not necessarily to every one's liking.  I have some 1990 that still tastes fresh, but you may be pushing it.

P.S.  Roses are wonderfully festive!  Also pricier....

< Message edited by deb293 -- 6/4/2008 7:53:23 PM >

(in reply to Kwoksun)
Post #: 4
RE: 1996 Champagne recommendations - 6/5/2008 8:23:17 AM   
Wrighty

 

Posts: 760
Joined: 10/3/2005
From: Hong Kong
Status: offline 		And the 1996 Krug which would last long enough but is pricey.

Had a Pol Roger dinner this week http://www.cellartracker.com/event.asp?iEvent=5171 and the Blanc de Chardonnay 1990 was still very youthful - almost too much, wanted some age.  Think they have a reputation for ageing well (if not caring for customers - see event).  The Winston Chruchill 1996 is certainly selling for a lot less than the Krug and Dom.

Wrighty

(in reply to deb293)
Post #: 5
RE: 1996 Champagne recommendations - 6/5/2008 8:31:34 AM   
cgrimes

 

Posts: 906
Joined: 10/8/2007
From: Massachusetts
Status: offline 		BTW, Wrighty, that's quite a story about your Pol Roger night...It's disturbing that one can have such distain for his customers.  Don't they know that you never bite the hand that feeds you?
craig

(in reply to Wrighty)
Post #: 6
RE: 1996 Champagne recommendations - 6/5/2008 8:36:58 AM   
Wrighty

 

Posts: 760
Joined: 10/3/2005
From: Hong Kong
Status: offline 		We were somewhat shocked.  It appears that someone at the restaurant organised the marketing but forgot to tell Patrice he was meant to mingle - although one would hope, as the President, he'd think it appropriate to go an talk to his guests!  The restaurant have offered another dinner to the same value but nothing from Pol Roger.

Wrighty

(in reply to cgrimes)
Post #: 7
RE: 1996 Champagne recommendations - 6/5/2008 8:56:51 AM   
cgrimes

 

Posts: 906
Joined: 10/8/2007
From: Massachusetts
Status: offline 		At least you'll get something out of it.

(in reply to Wrighty)
Post #: 8
RE: 1996 Champagne recommendations - 6/8/2008 8:20:00 PM   
mjobtx

 

Posts: 123
Joined: 11/20/2004
From: Plano, TX
Status: offline 		Personally, I like the '96 Bollinger, Grand Annee which should fall into that price range.

(in reply to cgrimes)
Post #: 9
RE: 1996 Champagne recommendations - 6/12/2008 4:17:54 AM   
stephori

 

Posts: 29
Joined: 12/2/2007
From: Paris or Reims
Status: offline 		I don't really know the prices in the U.S, as I live in Paris. (but I'm sure Salon, Dom and Krug are above the target)

My recommendations :
Philipponnat's Clos des Goisses or Grand Blanc
Bollinger Grande Année R.D or Grande Année
Jacquesson Vintage or Avize Grand Cru
Billecart Salmon Grande Cuvée or Nicolas Francois
Taittinger Comte de Champagne
Dom Ruinart

Or you can buy a mag of Deutz Blanc de Blancs

Let us know your choice

Cheers

(in reply to mjobtx)
Post #: 10
RE: 1996 Champagne recommendations - 6/12/2008 12:34:23 PM   
Winetex

 

Posts: 108
Joined: 5/9/2004
From: Austin, Texas
Status: offline 		Stephori has some good recommendations but they are going to push your budget.  I purchased many cases of 1996 champagnes with the intent to age them for quite a long time.  Some have the staying power for 20 years but some just don't.  Champagne ages very well in magnums so any 1996s you find in magnum would be a reasonable bet.  Henriot '96 in magnum would hit your price range.

Comments on some of the others:
Philipponnat's Clos des Goisses or Grand Blanc - the Clos des Goisses is VERY hard to find right now.  It is spectacular and would go the distance but very expensive

Bollinger Grande Année R.D or Grande Année - both of these Bollingers are spectacular as well.  Note that I don't think the Grande Annee is going to last for 20 years in peak form.  It seems ready to go now.  The RD is awesome and might last forever.  Also many $$$.

Jacquesson Vintage or Avize Grand Cru - The Avize should last 20 years but is in short supply.

Billecart Salmon Grande Cuvée or Nicolas Francois - Both of these should last 20 years.

Taittinger Comte de Champagne - This is one of my favorite champagnes in any vintage and they hit a home run in 96.  Will go the distance but also getting very expensive , $150+ but with a sale might go under that

Dom Ruinart - haven't tried

Or you can buy a mag of Deutz Blanc de Blancs - A maybe on the staying power on this one but again in mag would be a good bet.

The big boys, Krug and Salon, will last for our lifetimes but they are $300+ these days.

Good luck with your choice.  Use WineSearcher to gauge the prices and check each store as there are numerous false entries.  Also I have quite a few tasting notes on the 96s in CT if you search for them.

Amended to add note to Wrighty - what an awful experience.  You think they would "get it".  Guess you don't have to buy any Pol Roger?


< Message edited by Winetex -- 6/12/2008 12:41:10 PM >

(in reply to stephori)
Post #: 11
RE: 1996 Champagne recommendations - 6/23/2008 6:03:16 AM   
Rak

 

Posts: 78
Joined: 7/6/2007
Status: offline 		Might you consider the Alfred Gratien 1996? Very affordable I would have thought.

The 89 was utterly splendid!

Happy drinking!

(in reply to Winetex)
Post #: 12
RE: 1996 Champagne recommendations - 6/23/2008 6:18:21 AM   
Kwoksun

 

Posts: 8
Joined: 6/1/2008
Status: offline 		Thanks to all the replies.  I'll  pick a couple of magnum's but my next problem is it's hard to find them in where I live.  Will keep you posted,

(in reply to Rak)
Post #: 13
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