Otto - start posting your Bubbly notes!

WINE TALK
1

You got me hooked on the 96 Duval Leroy Bdb for short money, head into the cellar, pop 3 bottles and let me know what’s up! [drinkers.gif]

2

Peter, the newest find for me, regardless of price (and you may try Alex at JJBuckley who always has ridiculous price on his wines), is the NV Jean Laurent BdN. I had one bottle of this wine and blew my mind, absolutely delicious. It is not in the style of 96 DL BdB, which means it is not on the fruitier side but more on the bold, nutty side. However it is a delicious bold wine. Alex had it for $21.79, but it’s more likely to be in the $30-$40 price range. Give alex an email and see if they still have some.

The other one is the 02 Dhondt. I was able to accumulate 15 or so and I still have 11 left. Very delicious juice.

I also love the NV Bollinger that you are probably all loaded up given the prices that you guys had in MA.

Otto

A big [1928_middle_finger.gif] to you for having the sense to stay away from the great deals from halwit. I spent close to 1k on mostly cooked wine, with just a couple of undamadged ones so far.

It is about a 4:1 ratio of bad to good. Don’t even remind me about it!!! [diablo.gif]

3

Best NV champagne at the price?

  • N.V. H. Billiot Champagne Brut Reserve Grand Cru - France, Champagne, Ambonnay, Champagne (5/20/2009)
    A nose of caramel and black honey with a hint of butter. Beautiful sweet granny smith apples with a yeast/straw/lemon grass. Copious amounts of rich acidity that create a really nice dry champagne. Easily the best champagne I’ve ever had at the price point. Gonna load up on these puppies. (93 pts.)

Posted from CellarTracker

DELICIOUS.

4

Many thanks Charlie, will seek out some tomorrow.

And Peter, I brought a bottle of 96 Krug to an OL in SD and that Champagne was absolutely nothing special…very, very ordinary! (and Charlie can attest to this) [rolleyes.gif]

5

Otto, last time I heard you gush about the NV Jean Laurent, I emailed Alex, but the sale was long gone. I believe it was closer to $40 currently.

6

Too bad for me too 'cause I only got a 6 pack. I do suggest buying 1 bottle at $40 and then see if that is worth it to you, it may surprise you Todd.

Remember that Bebeto said that he had at one point the 02 Dhondt for something like $45. Well I bought mine for something from $60-$70 and they are very much worth to me.

Otto

7

Maybe Bebeto will throw up a nice WB-exclusive offer…hint, hint…

8

just needs time my friend. Lots and Lots of time. Maybe we can serve it to our grandkids and it’ll be good to go =)

9

Charlie, my esquire friend, this is something that bothers me sometimes, so here it is: I read numerous superb notes on a “special” wine and then I open up a bottle. All fine except the wine does not live up anywhere near expectation and post my impressions. But wait, now a whole bunch of people say: the wine needs lots of time, not ready right now! Well which is it???

So it it’s good, way to go, if not, WTF’you’re doing opening up that wine.

My explanation is either it’s a matter of bottle or a matter of label, but I can’t ever tell the difference.

Otto

10

I was there. That was a real head scratcher. I’ve had tastes of the NV that left me a bit wanting but they still blew doors off the wine we had at that offline. None of the power or intensity I ascribe to Krug normally. I kept looking for signs of TCA but could find none.
[dontknow.gif]

11

Ah yes, one of the converted. Charlie is a new disciple in spreading the word about Henri Billiot and his bottles of Pinot heavy pleasure.

[d_sunny.gif]

12

That’s the 2nd 96 Krug I’ve had and it was pretty similar, really tight and unyielding. I’m not sure how some people are waxing poetic about the wine, they might be transfixed on the label and try to coax tasting notes out that aren’t there. I’m tempted to sell off my 96 krugs cause I don’t think I’ll remember where they are when they are actually ready to be drank! =P

13

Cris, see you pi$$ed me of on the Galardi post so I just excluded you from this OL. Man you are in trouble now. [gheyfight.gif]

Yeah that wine that was so much talked about turned out to be one big dud!!!

Otto

14

You can’t retro exclude me! Besides, you gave me compliments for my abilities in pissing off Bulkin and I must say I had a lot of fun doing so.
[highfive.gif] [d_sunny.gif] [berserker.gif]

15

Cris, i guess you were not within earshot of the talk around our side. Eliott was in fine form calling every Bulkin favorite artist as a parvenue, worthy of nothing more than a Tejas bar exposition!!!

Man was that fun!!!

16

I’ve had the wine blind - so obviously no label bias - about 10-12 times. Usually in '96 horizontals. Has always placed near or at the top of the horizontal and has always shown well overall. Had it most recently on Tues - non-blind - and it showed very well and while youthful, I didn’t find it closed and actually I found it a touch softer than in the past.

17

Ray,

I have heard a few people mention different experiences with the 96 Krug. Have you by chance experienced any bottle variation that you might attest to the house itself and not storage?

TIA

18

Otto, let’s do that again, and this time, we’ll sit on your side of the table. Cris and I will get there earlier, too, so we don’t have to share a chair on the far corner of the table.

19

I’d be the first to call out the 96 Krug if it deserved it (I did it to the 95), but I’m with Ray on this one. I’ve always found it to be one of the top cuvees from 96. Not the best, but up right up there in the top 5-6 wines. Personally, I don’t enjoy it that much right now as it is more a wine to cellar than drink now for my palate (same goes for the 90). In fact, give me a 98 or NV over the 96 for current pleasure.

If you are experiencing variation with bottles of the 96, I would write it off to storage/transportation. LVMH has acknowledged that they believe some issues exist in the US once the wines leave the importer (which is owned by LVMH) warehouses on the coasts. They are doing some investigations and trying to do their best to resolve any problems, but the fact is that they can’t control all of the distributors and stores and that is the weak link.

20

June 16th or 17th in LaJolla. Even Mods and Admins are welcome. [foilhat.gif]