Complex aromatics of struck match, toast, truffle and flint. The palate is layered, vinous and pillowy. Fruit is perfectly ripe and there is good acid line. It is rich and powerful, with outstanding drive and persistence. In a wonderful place right now and perfect with a Sydney rock oyster.
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The longer this is open (which isn’t long, as the 4 of us finished it in about 40 minutes), the more weight this takes on. Brioche, Meyer lemon, sea breeze at the outset, growing in stature and intensity. Amazing richness and presence - yet fresh. Clementine, lemon, brioche finish. Gorgeous.
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Richard Juhlin Top 100 Day 2 @ Ecco Zürich; 2/25/2019-2/26/2019 (Ecco Restaurant Zurich): Not blind Great wine but for me 3rd place in the flight with CdM 2000 and Selosse Les Carelles. Feels more riped in palate than the other two ones (I know it is older). More winey, denser, you feel the oak use. Three years ago fresher and more precise. Great acidity. Fitting perfect to food because of its concentration. 96-97. For me and overall 3rd place in this flight
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1996 champagne evening, wine nr15 grand finale. Unique rare champagne, only 4-5000 bottles per year, by many considered the best PN in champagne. From extremely small lot with very old wines. Massive powerful nose with apples, smoke, cola sauce, raspberry sorbet, burgundy berries, Tokai hints. Small elegant bubbles, high fresh acidity. 100% PN. A gem and true masterpiece!!! 100p
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The Ultimative 1996 Champagne Tasting with Richard Juhlin (Behrens am Kai in Düsseldorf 1 star restaurant): Even it was only fourth ranked it was a sleeping giant. My love for champagne began with the story of VVF. For the birth of my daughter I had VVF 1969. The dark chocolate is dominating everything. Even when the glas was finished you smell the cacao perfume, some ripe red fruits, Brioche, Toast, Vanilla, dried figs,but very fresh and vibrating, so precise and elegant, never ending finish. I need this bottle again, unfortunately very difficult to find 95(99), Richard smelled once and said I know what it is. He was right
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Lazy Sunday group Holiday dinner (The Grill Room at Capella Hotel Georgetown): Very vinous nose, sweet red and ripe yellow fruits, sweet spices, mineral and brioche. Delicate yet decadent palate, intense yet airy, ripe fruits, brioche, good acidity and long finish. A quite unique champagne, especially the palate, that reminds me Selosse Substance although more delicate and not so oxidative. It seems more ready than the Salon and Dom. It definitely improved with air.
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Absolutely pure, delicate, fine-tuned nose. Complex apples joins with a flowery note, followed by dark chocolate and some yestiness. With time more complex aromas of spices and mushrooms follow. Definitely on the elegant style, and not typical Bolliness of over-ripe apples. Perfectly mature and extremely harmonius palate with massive fruit of almost exotic nature. There's also dark chocolate, orange and a very fine-tuned, long acidity. Fullish, but elegant body. The finish is very long with a nice added note of liquorice. Brilliant! Tasted blind, this was impossible to note as a Bollinger champagne - it was more in the camp of elegance. Not as full-bodied as a typical Bolly, but what a persistence. Extremely balanced, concentrated, grippy and powerful. And the purity of fruit, with it's almost exotic, peacy, tropical flavours make it unique. The only thing stopping me from giving it higher marks is that I prefer the Power-champagnes like Comtes de Champagne and Krug.
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This wine should have been one of the highlights of a very extensive 1996 Champagne tasting. Alas! it was a little corked. Very disappointing because the wine shone through a little and should be a very special experience. Fortunately I have been invited to taste the wine again soon...
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I think this was the 4th or 5th time I had a bottle of VVF 96 and it is just an amazing champagne. Tons of red sweet berries and the pinot fruit is magical. This is one of my 10 best champagnes ever I think. Maybe the VVF 89 was a bit more exotic but this is def up there among the greats.
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Led off a grand cru burgundy tasting. Almost delicate when first opened with slight yeast undertones that developed progressively over the evening. Turning rich and slightly bready with complex undertones of fig and peach. The wine continued to demand attention throughout the evening. For many, this was the first taste of this gem and they all went away believers.
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11/13/2022 - Jeremy Holmes wrote:
Complex aromatics of struck match, toast, truffle and flint. The palate is layered, vinous and pillowy. Fruit is perfectly ripe and there is good acid line. It is rich and powerful, with outstanding drive and persistence. In a wonderful place right now and perfect with a Sydney rock oyster.
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7/3/2022 - englishman's claret wrote: 97 Points
The longer this is open (which isn’t long, as the 4 of us finished it in about 40 minutes), the more weight this takes on. Brioche, Meyer lemon, sea breeze at the outset, growing in stature and intensity. Amazing richness and presence - yet fresh. Clementine, lemon, brioche finish. Gorgeous.
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7/16/2021 - fcxj wrote: 96 Points
Full bodied on the edge of oxidation without crossing over. Impressive richness and depth. (002048)
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9/25/2019 - Lehto Likes this wine: 100 Points
Bollinger VVF Vertical Tasting at Geranium in Copenhagen hosted by Philipson Wine.
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2/25/2019 - aquacongas Likes this wine: 97 Points
Richard Juhlin Top 100 Day 2 @ Ecco Zürich; 2/25/2019-2/26/2019 (Ecco Restaurant Zurich): Not blind
Great wine but for me 3rd place in the flight with CdM 2000 and Selosse Les Carelles. Feels more riped in palate than the other two ones (I know it is older). More winey, denser, you feel the oak use. Three years ago fresher and more precise. Great acidity. Fitting perfect to food because of its concentration. 96-97. For me and overall 3rd place in this flight
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10/3/2016 - Markus IWC wrote: 100 Points
1996 champagne evening, wine nr15 grand finale. Unique rare champagne, only 4-5000 bottles per year, by many considered the best PN in champagne. From extremely small lot with very old wines. Massive powerful nose with apples, smoke, cola sauce, raspberry sorbet, burgundy berries, Tokai hints. Small elegant bubbles, high fresh acidity. 100% PN. A gem and true masterpiece!!! 100p
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2/8/2016 - aquacongas Likes this wine: 99 Points
The Ultimative 1996 Champagne Tasting with Richard Juhlin (Behrens am Kai in Düsseldorf 1 star restaurant): Even it was only fourth ranked it was a sleeping giant. My love for champagne began with the story of VVF. For the birth of my daughter I had VVF 1969. The dark chocolate is dominating everything. Even when the glas was finished you smell the cacao perfume, some ripe red fruits, Brioche, Toast, Vanilla, dried figs,but very fresh and vibrating, so precise and elegant, never ending finish. I need this bottle again, unfortunately very difficult to find 95(99), Richard smelled once and said I know what it is. He was right
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12/22/2013 - dcwino wrote: 97 Points
Lazy Sunday group Holiday dinner (The Grill Room at Capella Hotel Georgetown): Very vinous nose, sweet red and ripe yellow fruits, sweet spices, mineral and brioche. Delicate yet decadent palate, intense yet airy, ripe fruits, brioche, good acidity and long finish. A quite unique champagne, especially the palate, that reminds me Selosse Substance although more delicate and not so oxidative. It seems more ready than the Salon and Dom. It definitely improved with air.
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11/14/2013 - Argrath wrote: 97 Points
Absolutely pure, delicate, fine-tuned nose. Complex apples joins with a flowery note, followed by dark chocolate and some yestiness. With time more complex aromas of spices and mushrooms follow. Definitely on the elegant style, and not typical Bolliness of over-ripe apples.
Perfectly mature and extremely harmonius palate with massive fruit of almost exotic nature. There's also dark chocolate, orange and a very fine-tuned, long acidity. Fullish, but elegant body. The finish is very long with a nice added note of liquorice. Brilliant!
Tasted blind, this was impossible to note as a Bollinger champagne - it was more in the camp of elegance. Not as full-bodied as a typical Bolly, but what a persistence. Extremely balanced, concentrated, grippy and powerful. And the purity of fruit, with it's almost exotic, peacy, tropical flavours make it unique. The only thing stopping me from giving it higher marks is that I prefer the Power-champagnes like Comtes de Champagne and Krug.
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3/24/2012 - MauriceE wrote: flawed
This wine should have been one of the highlights of a very extensive 1996 Champagne tasting. Alas! it was a little corked. Very disappointing because the wine shone through a little and should be a very special experience. Fortunately I have been invited to taste the wine again soon...
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5/10/2011 - St Paul wrote: 99 Points
I think this was the 4th or 5th time I had a bottle of VVF 96 and it is just an amazing champagne. Tons of red sweet berries and the pinot fruit is magical. This is one of my 10 best champagnes ever I think. Maybe the VVF 89 was a bit more exotic but this is def up there among the greats.
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2/1/2009 - Topper wrote: 96 Points
Led off a grand cru burgundy tasting. Almost delicate when first opened with slight yeast undertones that developed progressively over the evening. Turning rich and slightly bready with complex undertones of fig and peach. The wine continued to demand attention throughout the evening. For many, this was the first taste of this gem and they all went away believers.
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12/17/2008 - Samantha wrote: 99 Points
It is really rich, sweet pinot fruit, but absolutely beautiful and approachable. Lots of peach and apricot, incredible.
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