1996 de Venoge Louis XV Brut. This was a very generous gift and while I was excited to open it…I almost wanted to not like it because the bottle and packaging are super over the top, ha! But it was really good! Slightly oxidative for my tastes (I’m super sensitive to it even consider Krug to be a little too much), but it’s drinking really well and full of lemon/citrus with loads of acidity. Medium minus bodied and very easy to drink but contemplative at the same time. Happy New Year all!
I have no clue what that is but sexy bottle!
I like DeVenoge Champagnes, but Rich is obviously holding the bottle because he can’t fit it into any wine rack in existence.
Dan Kravitz
Nice!
Ha ha! Im with ya - was not familiar either! But it’s pretty damn good!
Ha ha! Facts! There is ZERO chance it’s fitting in my racks…or any racks for that matter!
The empty bottle doubles as a decanter.
Cellar Master was Eric LeBell (subsequenr Krug fame) at that time.
These champagnes can use a 60 minute decant and become sublime in my experience.
Cheers!
Thank you for that Kevin! Really appreciate the context! And good call on the decanter! That might be kinda fun!
I had this bottle a year or two ago and felt the same way, it was good but just a bit too oxidative.
Rub it and maybe a genie pops out!
Honestly, glad to hear its so oxdative. I love that style and have a few of these in my cellar. Thanks!!
Nice! You should dig it then for sure. It definitely wasn’t over the top and i still enjoyed it…but for my tastes, a little less oxidative would have kicked it up a couple notches 
I like these wines a lot, but hate the bottles!
Ha ha! I’m totally with you. I honesty felt a little off drinking it at first because the bottle and packaging are so over the top, ha!