95 Louise, 08 Weinbach, 01 Rioja Alta. and 96 Ducru

[AlexR]

I am not rich enough to drink old grande cuvée Champagne very often, but I do have a few bottles squirreled away.
Notes are summary because I was hosting the dinner and did not have the luxury of writing down my impressions.

1995 Pommery Cuvée Louise was a very elegant tipple. Bubbles were fine and vigorous, and as appealing as the bouquet was, the wine really shone on the palate. The texture was creamy and there were biscuity notes as well as ones of meringue. The finish was dry, mineral, and long. This Champagne was in its drinking window and will hold for some time to come.

We enjoyed white asparagus in hollandaise sauce with the Alsace. This had a fairly deep golden color. Although dry, the 2008 Domaine Weinbach grand cru Schlossberg was very rich and had all the hallmarks of a great Riesling, with somewhat of a thick texture. The food pairing worked well. This was not your steely sort of Alsace, and reminded me of some white Graves that taste like Sauternes without the sugar. It was not tired, but has not much to gain from further ageing.

The 2001 Rioja Alta Gran Reserva 904 appeared younger than its years and was still strongly marked by (presumably) American oak. At 18 years of age, it still has a way to go, although the oak factor will remain too predominant even down the road in my opinion. It was hearty and serious and partnered grilled duck breast and Sarlat-style potatoes very well.

We had 1996 Ducru Beaucaillou with the cheese course. This was rather disappointing. The bouquet was the weakest part. It was better on the palate, but lacked depth and fruit. Could this be due to bottle variation? The texture was nevertheless smooth and classy.

Best regards,
Alex R.

[JCNorthway]

Paula and I had dinner recently with friends in Chicago. One of them has a source for white asparagus - shipped in from Europe - which he prepared for us that evening. We also drank a Weinbach Riesling, though I did not see the vintage or cru. However, knowing the person who provided it, I'm sure it was at or near the top of their line (he visits that winery every time he goes to Alsace). The pairing with the asparagus was great. FYI, the Champagne sounds lovely.

[JimHow]

The ‘96 Ducru is a mediocre wine.

[felixp21]

yea, I agree Jim. I got rid of my case of 96 Ducru about 15 years ago. Very mediocre.

[JimHow]

indeed, felix, you'd think Ducru + 1996 might be something special but I have drunk through an entire case now and I just don't recall being wowed by a single one. The last bottle I had was with MichaelP in NYC a couple years ago and it was ehhh.

[Nicklasss]

I liked very much the 1996 Ducru Beaucaillou, the only time I had it. I think JeanFred bought one bottle in DC last year, to bring back home.

Nic

[JimHow]

The best 1996 Bordeaux was...

[JimHow]

Drum roll....

[JimHow]

I'll admit, I haven't had the Margaux, one bottle of which I have in my cellar...

[JimHow]

the best 1996 Bordeaux was....

[JimHow]

Lafite.

[JCNorthway]

I've had the 1996 Ducru once - in October of 2015. My note at the time was that it may have been the best wine I had drunk that year. Perhaps that says more about the wines I was drinking than the quality of the Ducru. Hope I'm wrong because I have a few more bottles. On the potential positive side, Parker's drinking range was up to 2035. Maybe I will sit on mine a few more years.

[DavidG]

Agree on the 1996 Lafite. However, after being asked what it was worth after opening one around the time Chinese interest was peaking, i became aware that selling the remainder was the wisest course of action.

I last checked in on the 1996 Ducru in 2012. It wowed me, though it took a couple of hours to fully blossom. It had a nice complex nose and was just starting to develop real aged complexity on the palate. My note said to hold for another 5-10 years, and here it is 7 years later. Looks like it’s time to open another.

I think the cuvée Louise is one of Stu"s favorite Champagnes. Loved your note Alex.

[sdr]

No wine can survive asparagus.

[AKR]

LRA makes great wines, top to bottom.

[jckba]

LRA makes great wines, top to bottom.

Agreed and for current drinking the 2001 Vina Ardanza is in a perfect spot as compared to the 904 which has yet to integrate its American oak cloak as Alex noted. Bury any remaining bottles for a double, triple or quadruple Blanquito and I think you will be in store for a drastically different aged Rioja experience.

The ‘96 Ducru is a mediocre wine.

I don’t agree with this general statement and that’s because I have had a couple of brilliant when on bottles of the 1996 but also several ‘never really showed up’ bottles which kind of makes me think that their TCA contamination issues may have stretched a little further than was previously thought.

[DavidG]

Good thought JC.
At least Jim didn't call Ducru a "fraud." He saved that little pot-stirrer for GPL.

[DavidG]

Opened a 1996 Ducru tonight to check back in. While it didn’t blow me away and the nose was not particularly intense, it was complex and the wine was way better than mediocre, earning an "excellent" after being open a couple of hours.

1996 Ducru Beaucailliou: Cellared since release, perfect cork and fill. Dark red core, lighter with a bit of bricking at the rim. Nice complex nose develops after about 2 hours with dark fruits, earth, grilled lamb, hint of leafy greens and tar. Medium body, good balance and freshness with plenty of acidity and mostly resolved tannins, medium finish. Drinking really well but wouldn’t be surprised to see more complexity in another 5 years. Excellent.

[stefan]

Last I opened 1976 Ducru—CORKED! It
was a replacement for corked 1982 La Lagune.
Fortunately the 1983 Pichon Lalande kept
A 1996 Jadot Fixin from being the best bottle
Of the day.

[DavidG]

Not a good day Stefan.

[Comte Flaneur]

Patientia omnia vincit

I have a case and I am not thinking of releasing it yet, a minimum of one Blanquito.

However the 1995 has finally come round and is a beauty. If the 1996 turns out as good as the 1995 we are in for a treat.

The 2000, though still very young, ain’t too shabby either: 1995 to 2000 was a golden period for Ducru, then when Bruno took over they took a walk on the dark side.