February 29, 2024 - blind
I guessed CdM 1985. The weakest because most evolved bottle of the 96. The acidity was too fresh for the evolved stage. you see this evolution often in the 96ers but never in CdM. The last bottle 3 month ago was completely different. Reduction as I've never seen before in a CdM. The regular 96 was "better" this time. 95
December 20, 2023 - Sadly, the ‘96 Mesnil has lost not only all its freshness but also its vivacity. Burnished gold. A lot of mid palate richness in a roasted butternut squash way. Some suggested it had too much acidity but not to me. It’s work to drink it. At this age it loses all its CdM gracefulness and delicacy and becomes chestnut and toffee. Nevertheless it’s interesting on its own terms.
December 17, 2023 - blind
I said it's no Krug. It was typical d'Auvenay nose. Never had it in a CdM, especially not in a 1996. No reductive, so much popcorn, so fresh. I had this nose (Champagne) only in Frederic Savart's Chretiens 2018. I heard from Ingo next day the same. Can't believe it but both said we want our classical CdM back. Anyway a legend, will live the next 3 decades easily. 99-100
June 6, 2023 - A great old Mesnil. Regal, majestic, calmly brilliant. Will not gain from additional age. Deep gold, moderate mousse. Apricot pit, oily, persistent. Just barely enough acidity to carry the weighty flavors. Enormous complexity. Riveting.
December 6, 2022 - Wine Workshop: Clos du Mesnil vertical (Atera - 77 Worth Street in NYC): For many people this was in the top three wines of the tasting. It was a very very good wine but perhaps because of the high expectations I'd say it wasn't quite top for me. Very tasty. More evolved in style. A bit of oxidation. More toasty, nutty, etc. Drinks well. It's very good for sure and I'd never kick it out of my glass but I also preferred the '92 to it.
October 22, 2022 - 96/00 pairing. I initially preferred the 96 which had a complex mix of orchard fruit and toast with emerging nut and earth flavors, loads of driving power and a crisp, chiseled mid-palate. This held strong with air, though I found the 00 blossomed with air and got even better.
October 22, 2022 - Happy Birthday to Me (Oriole - Chicago IL): Alongside the 2000. Very rich and layered, this is starting to show some age. So much apple, baked apple, and lemon curd coming across as dense, powerful and very nuanced. I preferred this over the 2000 to start, but the younger wine caught up with more time in glass.
October 12, 2022 - EL Birthday Dinner (The Garden Table at Le Pavillon): This was a freakin' frozen rope. It came out with a bang and didn't stop delivering. Great energy. Great salinity, creating just that touch of salt on a perfect piece of bread. This wine did not have bread notes - there was no fat or flab here, just a little nuttiness to make you swoon. I have been underwhelmed by many 96 champagnes, but this did not disappoint.
March 29, 2022 - blind
Nailed it. "It was easy". Brutal acidity, so lean, still lemon juice. A bit Krug perfume but not yet CdM scent. No honey, no nuts. The regular 96 is more evolved and the CdA has more chocolate notes. 3 decades ahead. At the moment only 98 but 100 possible. The freshest I had so far.
March 22, 2022 - At first, not that different from the standard vintage but with air, they diverged. While the standard remained a medium full dark Pinot, the Mesnil became, or at least appeared, lighter and more acidic. The famous chamomile character is now long gone. The lemon is more pith than zest. More challenging to drink than the standard but no less rewarding. The complexity keeps you coming back for more. Who knows how this will continue to evolve. The story is far from over.