TN: 1996 Duval-Leroy Champagne

WINE TALK
1
  • 1996 Duval-Leroy Champagne - France, Champagne (5/10/2009)
    This wine has started to enter its peak drinking window. Notes of walnuts, baked apples, chalk and mushrooms. Mildly effervescent and richly textured. (90 pts.)
2

Paul, is this the BdB or regular Brut?

Surprised it’s already peaking!

3

I have one of these babies (think it’s BdBs) and very much looking forward to it.

Karl

4

I had a bottle of '96 D-L Brut recently and enjoyed it very much. Most certainly a bargain for vintage Champagne. I tend more toward the bubbles that have more yeast and nutty components versus the fruity bouquet I recall the D-L Brut having.

5

This is the Brut. I suspect that it will stay in this phase for at least 5 more years or so, after which who knows what direction it will go.

6

I think “bargain” is the operative word here. This a good 1996 to drink while waiting for the better ones to mature.

7

Paul,

Agreed on this wine. It isn’t a stunning 96 or one that is going to drink well for ages, but it is in a nice spot and for the normal $30-$40 price range this was found in, it performs very well. I prefer their 96 BdB over this, but both were great bargains. Duval-Leroy has been making nice wines are very good price points recently. They actually made a decent BdB in 2001 and the 2002 Brut is another decent drink for little money.

8

Sweet! ‘The Champagne Warrior’ is on deck!