1 case - 1996 Dom Perignon in gift boxes

This is not from my own personal collection, and I’m trying to help a friend, so please be gentle!

A gentleman in my office once owned a liquor store, and before he closed it, he bought a case of gift-boxed '96 Dom Perignon. He’s stored it untouched ever since. I do not believe he has a wine cellar, so I make no representations as to provenance.

98 Points from The Wine Advocate and 97 from Burghound. “Wheat Thins, tropical fruits, and roasted hazelnuts. Medium to full-bodied, with crisp acidity buttressing the wines wealth of fruit and intensity, it comes across as extrordinarly zesty. . . A Champagne of fabulous elegance that will offer highly rewarding drinking for decades.” - WA

On Wine Searcher, Wally’s in LA is the cheapest in-stock retailer at $250, and they have 1 bottle. Others are $300+ per. Several single-bottle lots available on wine-bid for $190 right now, but it’s unclear whether they have the boxes and you have to add in a 15% buyer’s premium.

My friend wants the best offer over $2500 for the case. Prefer a local deal (he’s in MD). Buyer assumes all risk upon local pick up or once dropped off for shipping, and buyer covers all shipping costs. Sold as-is where-is.

Where has it been stored since his store closed down?

He said “under his house,” which I assume is some kind of root cellar. Not a true wine cellar. He’s local to me in Maryland, and the ground temps here are generally 55 with about a 10 degree swing in the summer.

PS: I’m taking no profit from this; just helping an office-mate connect with wine lovers.

Mike,

Do you how it was stored in the liquor store and how long ago it closed?

Not sure, Dale. I will ask him tomorrow.

Following this thread for updates on the provenance. I’m local and would be interested depending on the details.

He was out yesterday, and I’m out of the office today. Hopefully will catch up with him tomorrow.