Another year, another milestone! 16,000+ champagnes, how many is that really? It has taken Richard Juhlin over 30 years to get to this figure. [read the full champagne story]
Charles Heidsieck
1996 ’Blanc de Millenaires Le Collection de Crayères’
100CH
94(94)p
TASTING NOTE ‘I thought they wrote it wrong on the wine list at PM and Vänner in Växjö when this secret 96′ appeared. At all times, the house has denied that Daniel Thibaut made any Blanc de Millènaires this fantastic and special light-stamped acid tin year. But in an extremely limited edition, they are now launching a Collection Crayères in 2024.’
Wow!
Champagne Club by Richard Juhlin
The wine was the 16,000th signed and was hardly a disappointment.
The champagne is actually even more monumental and voluminous than the award-winning 1995 Blanc de Millènaires. I hope I get the chance to try the relic again and next to the 95′. 1996 is bigger and more nougat-scented, roasted and crisp house-typical. Brioche, hazelnuts, burnt chestnuts and orange chocolate bombard the nose and palate. The wine is simultaneously snorting wild and nervous with a tough acidity and enormous energy. What’s missing is the 95’s seamless silkiness and sublimely multi-faceted citrus-oriented florality. But you can’t have everything, so drink them side by side and you’ll get close to maximum enjoyment.’
