Otto - start posting your Bubbly notes!

[Ray.Tuppa_sch]

Tyler,

It’s possible that Krug has released a couple of different disgorgements for their '96 and that is accounting for the difference. But, I have drunk from several different batches of purchases, including bottles I bought in France, London and from various sources within the US and I haven’t come across much variation other than the setting that I’ve drunk them in (which for me causes wines to show differently). That said, it’s possible that I’ve drank only from one disgorgement. Clos des Goisses '96 has two disgorgemnts, and even though I bought from several sources, all of the bottles I owned were from the April disgorgement and I had to seek out the June bottle to try it side by side. There’s clearly a difference with the Goisses, so that’s my thinking regarding the possibility for the Krug. I saw Olivier Krug a few days ago and asked him why they don’t put disgorgement dates on their bottles that the consumer can easily identify, and he circumvented the question w/o a direct answer.
But, the different potential disgorgement date scenario is purely my speculation to explain possible difference of opinion of the quality of '96 Krug (one which I haven’t experienced nor agree with )and not based on any info from Krug or anyone else.

[Peter_C]

@Otto Dobre

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!!!

Love Dhondts wines, even his NV is nice.

That SUCKS about HalfWit - where those the old label Krugs? Were they oxidized?

[Peter_C]

@Otto Dobre

@Todd F r e n c h

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.

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

I’ve been paying closer to $80 for the Dhondt and it’s worth it even at that lofty price. Trying to round up the remaining local stocks actually.

[Peter_C]

@Ray Tuppatsch

Tyler,

It’s possible that Krug has released a couple of different disgorgements for their '96 and that is accounting for the difference. But, I have drunk from several different batches of purchases, including bottles I bought in France, London and from various sources within the US and I haven’t come across much variation other than the setting that I’ve drunk them in (which for me causes wines to show differently). That said, it’s possible that I’ve drank only from one disgorgement. Clos des Goisses '96 has two disgorgemnts, and even though I bought from several sources, all of the bottles I owned were from the April disgorgement and I had to seek out the June bottle to try it side by side. There’s clearly a difference with the Goisses, so that’s my thinking regarding the possibility for the Krug. I saw Olivier Krug a few days ago and asked him why they don’t put disgorgement dates on their bottles that the consumer can easily identify, and he circumvented the question w/o a direct answer.
But, the different potential disgorgement date scenario is purely my speculation to explain possible difference of opinion of the quality of '96 Krug (one which I haven’t experienced nor agree with )and not based on any info from Krug or anyone else.

I think Olivier was on Grape Radio not too long ago saying the same thing about disgorgement dates - essentially they’re not too interested in supplying them.

[Tyler_Rico]

@Peter C.

@Ray Tuppatsch

Tyler,

It’s possible that Krug has released a couple of different disgorgements for their '96 and that is accounting for the difference. But, I have drunk from several different batches of purchases, including bottles I bought in France, London and from various sources within the US and I haven’t come across much variation other than the setting that I’ve drunk them in (which for me causes wines to show differently). That said, it’s possible that I’ve drank only from one disgorgement. Clos des Goisses '96 has two disgorgemnts, and even though I bought from several sources, all of the bottles I owned were from the April disgorgement and I had to seek out the June bottle to try it side by side. There’s clearly a difference with the Goisses, so that’s my thinking regarding the possibility for the Krug. I saw Olivier Krug a few days ago and asked him why they don’t put disgorgement dates on their bottles that the consumer can easily identify, and he circumvented the question w/o a direct answer.
But, the different potential disgorgement date scenario is purely my speculation to explain possible difference of opinion of the quality of '96 Krug (one which I haven’t experienced nor agree with )and not based on any info from Krug or anyone else.

I think Olivier was on Grape Radio not too long ago saying the same thing about disgorgement dates - essentially they’re not too interested in supplying them.

I still don’t understand why producers don’t make disgorgement dates readily available on bottles. It seems like it would be beneficial to the consumer. I understand that there would be some added cost to doing so but why is it still not done?

[Brad_Baker]

Ray,

The 96 Clos des Goisses has a number disgorgements across 05, 06, and 07 (I want to say I’ve had Oct 05, Dec 05, Apr 06, Jul 06, Dec 06, and an early 07 release, but I am going from memory ). I think a few more are in the pipeline for a planned semi-late release and then there were some pre-release disgorgements that never went public; of course not all disgorgements went to all countries either.

What is odd to me is that the April 06 has always stood out. The others have moved together a notch behind the April 06. It’s magic when timing, luck, and awesome wine all come together.

[Jack_Bulkin]

@Cris Whetstone

@Otto Dobre

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!!!

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.
[d_sunny.gif]

Chris, you never pissed me off. In fact, all I did was agree with your tasting notes. You were not the person who asked me if my four year old was my Grandchild. [d_sunny.gif]

[ToddFrench]

@Jack Bulkin

@Todd F r e n c h

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.

June 16th or 17th in LaJolla. Even Mods and Admins are welcome.

No go on the 17th, but maybe the 16th.

And it is I who decides if I am welcome or not to come, not you!

[big_boss.gif]

[ToddFrench]

@Jack Bulkin

@Cris Whetstone

@Otto Dobre

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!!!

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.
[d_sunny.gif]

Chris, you never pissed me off. In fact, all I did was agree with your tasting notes. You were not the person who asked me if my four year old was my Grandchild. [d_sunny.gif]

That was SO hilarious!!!

[AlexHay]

@Charlie Fu

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.

Welcome to the party, Charlie!
Next time you uncage one, check for red apple notes with the high pinot noir quotient in NV Billiot. I think you will find bushels of them on your palate.

[Richard_Jennings]

Interesting discussion on the '96 Krug. I was disappointed with the one we opened Saturday. It seemed muted, fairly one dimensional, yet no sign of TCA – not at all my usual Krug experience.

[Cris_Whetstone]

@Richard Jennings

Interesting discussion on the '96 Krug. I was disappointed with the one we opened Saturday. It seemed muted, fairly one dimensional, yet no sign of TCA – not at all my usual Krug experience.

Sounds exactly like our experience. Bad batch got to the West Coast or was shipped poorly its starting to sound like.

[Cris_Whetstone]

@Peter C.

I’ve been paying closer to $80 for the Dhondt and it’s worth it even at that lofty price. Trying to round up the remaining local stocks actually.

Do you think the 04 is worth that price Pete? WineX still has it for about $68. I would agree on the 02.

[Otto_Dobre]

Richard, my Krug was purchased when first arrived at the Wine Club in Santa Ana. I believe that Jay S posted the arrival, and same day I got my bottles. And like Cris said, your impressions mirrored ours.

[Peter_C]

@Cris Whetstone

@Peter C.

I’ve been paying closer to $80 for the Dhondt and it’s worth it even at that lofty price. Trying to round up the remaining local stocks actually.

Do you think the 04 is worth that price Pete? WineX still has it for about $68. I would agree on the 02.

I would buy 04 Dhondt at $68, I think Zachys has it too.

Doesnt have the depth that the 02 has, but still tasty!

[Otto_Dobre]

Maybe 6 mo-1 year ago Garagiste had magnums of the 04 Dhondt and I picked up a couple, price was $90 IIRC.

[Brad_Baker]

I like the 04 Dhondt, but it isn’t anything special IMO and nowhere near the wine the 02 was. One of the best 04s I have tasted so far is the Marc Hebrart Special Club. Give me that any day over the Dhondt.