1996 Moet & Chandon, Dom Perignon, Champagne, France

The third Dom Perignon of the day – served in a better glass and revealing what it’s all about. Though again I have to say that I think it’s not bringing out the vanilla components so much as it did on release. I think it’s about to close down. (95)

(Tasted Sep-2006)

1996 Moet & Chandon, Dom Perignon, Champagne, France

Melon, white Burgundy notes, clean and fresh. Taste gains its points on its precise acidity, but needs extra layers in complexity and fruit to score higher. The wine closes with a burned warm element. (91)

(Tasted Jun-2006)

1996 Moet & Chandon, Dom Perignon, Champagne, France

I have taste it so many times now. It’s still great – but more reserved since release. I would rest it 3-5 years.

(Tasted April 2007)

1996 Moet Chandon, Dom Perignon, Champagne, France

It's a stunning champagne, but very young. It comes with a lot of dark bred notes mixed with a small touch of vanilla, butter and a god portion of Porcini mushrooms. Young yes. But still deep and complex, but not so balanced yet. Someone at the table said it smelled of ”fart” in a positive way , but the mushrooms are certainly there and reveals that the champagne needs more time to come together.. The taste is medium to full-bodied but the finish is very long. I left a little portion for later and eventhough the mousse had evaporated it was still very complex like a white Burgundy. (95) for now but it can go higher.

(Tasted September 2004 vs Belle Epoque 1996)

1996 Moet Chandon, Dom Perignon, Champagne, France

Much more tight than the first time I taste it at Ensemble in September 2004. Lime, lemon peel, flowers and a monster long pure finish. As it sits in the glass it develops mere white burgundy flavours. Hide it away for a loooong time (95-96)

(Tasted 31/12-2004, Glass: Juhlin)

1996 Moet Chandon, Dom Perignon, Champagne, France

This is the third time I taste Dom 96’. My two previous encounters have been very different in style. This bottle was closer to my latest New Years experience. The nose is extremely fresh with lemon / lime zest, flowers and honey. Very burgundy look-a-like with Mersault flirting. Again this time the wine is very youthful and bubble aficionados would probably still argue that it’s way too young for drinking. True – but the crisp and fresh appeal this baby delivers is already worth seeking out; however more secondary complexities are waiting for the patient taster (95).

Tasted 18th of May 2005 at the Cagnaught Restaurant in London.

1996 Möet & Chandon, Cuvée Dom Perignon, Champagne, France

I think I have tried the ’96-Dom 5 times before and it’s such great champagne. Already strutting with confidence and showing why it’s one of the best Champagnes in the world. No doubt that it will improve with time, but it’s so resistible at this stage. Since I last taste it about a year ago it seem to have put on extra weight and present itself with a ravishing bold core of lush fruit with corn, vanilla, pastry and flowers. Long classic taste, plenty of concentration to create the persistent vibrating look – awesome. (97)

(Tasted Jun-2006)

1996 Möet et Chandon, Dom Perignon, Champagne, France

More closed than my last bottle, but still very nice and classic. I think it was striking how much better the palate mousse attack from Comtes de Champagne was compared to DP.

(Tasted Jul-2007)