Good memory! I still have the 2015 Bouchard Montrachet, and I almost opened it, but I was haunted by Andrew’s comment:
I really wanted to avoid a double disappointment, especially given the cost of these two bottles. Maybe one day I’ll get over the crushing disappointment of that Jadot and open the Bouchard. 
The 15 Bouchard would’ve been much less likely
to be premox, though, mid 2000s Jadot is as much in the danger zone as you can get, along with H. boillot, Leflaive and Matrot.
Oh I wasn’t really concerned with premox, more that the wine might not be all that impressive and I’d have another type of disappointment on my hands.
Are you suggesting 88’s from half are on the down, or just in a phase right now? Open soon or wait? Ive got 3, its birthyear so was holding
I doubt they are going to get better at this point. Halves age much quicker, so the best you can hope for is to get lucky and get an extra fresh bottle. Especially if the bottles were acquired with unknown provenance.
The ones I’ve opened lately have not been as good in 375 as previous bottles. I opened a 375 in 2022 which seemed to be right in the zone but this year the 375s I’ve had have been underwhelming. Full bottles have still been good though, with absolutely no rush.
I’m starting to stock up 01 in magnum now as well as cases of full bottles, I have a lot of 375 but not sure how well they’ll go the distance although they are just starting to drink great now.
Fantastic notes and exercise, Noah, a true pleasure to read about it and congrats on executing. Yes, a (predictable?) shame about the Jadot and interesting experience with the Chalon—I tend to drink these on their own for just the reason you cited.
I’ve only had the 88 Yquem once from half, and that was over 7 years ago. But—in a crazy OL with 86, 88, 89, 97 and 11 D’Yquem and Climens comparisons in one meal, the 88 was the near-consensus winner:
1988 Chateau D’Yquem
Wow! such a different nose from the Climens—hits you with smoked maple syrup/fudge and a plantain and pie side. This, to taste, is awfully close to the 01’s perfection for me. Awfully close. Still needs 20 years, but vanilla, star fruit, maple fudge, kiwi and even a lick of aniseed, and it all lasts forever. On nose and mouth, simply a soul-drenching wine. My clear WOTN, WOTY so far and the group’s near-consensus #1*. 99+ I saved some off into a shot-bottle and will check on it in 2 days.*
It remained scrumplicious those 2 days later. Again, bien merci for all the notes and effort