1996 de Venoge Champagne Brut Millésime - France, Champagne (5/25/2009)
Not really showing the acidity of the 1996 vintage but this is tasty regardless. Fat and deep coffee and honey notes, very soft bubbles and a caressing mouthfeel. Finish is solid, with caramel/honey/nuts. Seems like it’s at peak - given the lack of signature 1996 acidity, not sure how long these have.
Sounds pretty mature for a 96.
Peter,
Sounds like my experiences with this wine. Good, but nothing special. de Venoge was floundering a bit in the 90s until LVMH bought them (for the vineyards) and then sold off the name, facilities, and stock to Bruno Paillard’s company BCC. Not all the 96s will live forever (even if some think they will) so it is cool that you popped one now to get a read on it.