Thanks to Johnny for sharing this collectible and nice photos

Dom Ruinart Blanc de Blancs 1973 Brut Champagne (750ml)

Tasted in June, 2010

Sourced from a private collector in Germany. The label condition is near perfection, considering its market release no less than 25 years ago...

The wire is shining without a single touch of rust.
As the cork is popped, healthy pressure is still felt, and a perfume of woody spices rises up through the air...So lucky us, a sound bottle of 37-year-old champagne -- we have the German collector to thank for the fine cellaring for the past 25 years or more...

First poured in 5 minutes after uncorking.

Deep straw gold, with amber hue. Only a few bubbles visible.

After the initial perfume of woody spices, intense bouquet of praline takes over, with an edge of roasted hazelnut and almost burnt toast. Instantly, the nose evolves again, with hints of seaside, walnut and butter.

The first attack on the palate is seriously dry and evolved: intense flavor of praline mingles with burnt toast, woody spices, smoke and walnut. Then comes the charm of sweet lemon on the mid palate, easing the tension with seduction. The finish is yet subtle, with fine acidity and restrained seaside note. This medium-bodied, aged bubbly is still vigorously coiled and elegantly poised!

10 mins after uncorking: now mineral and walnut are more pronounced on the nose -- typical Blanc de Blancs character; the palate is luscious with sweet lemon dominant, finishing on serious note of praline.

15 mins, second pouring: here comes a subtle touch of oyster shell, on both the nose and the palate. Very fine.

18 mins: a bouquet of butterscotch joins the show.

25 mins: fine bouquet of butterscotch followed by scent of walnut; exquisite and sophisticated taste layers include elements of praline, oyster shell, walnut oil and toffee.

27 mins: complex yet subtle nose: toffee, mineral and scent of sandalwood, rounded off by oily fatness -- beautiful!

34 mins: note of walnut on the nose; the taste now takes on coffee finesse.

41 mins: refined bouquets of oyster shell and praline, with even more oily fatness.

43 mins: toffee-ish nose; the taste combines the charm of sweet lemon and the depth of perfumed sandalwood, finishing with seductive tones of milk toffee and coffee.

46 mins: buttery nose

56 mins: seriously dry taste of woody spices and toffee

1 hour and 3 mins: smell of oyster shell in buttery fatness

1 hour and 7 mins: serious flavor of praline, polished by oily texture. Imprint of oyster shell on the finish.

1 hour and 10 mins: wow! The taste is ultra sophisticated yet delicate and ethereal, with multi-faceted, long finish of seaside note, cheese, butter and walnut oil -- truly aristocratic!

1 hour and 12 mins: praline, toffee and walnut oil on the nose

1 hour and 17 mins: walnut bouquet and taste

1 hour and 22 mins: exquisite creamy taste with depth of praline and walnut

1 hour and 23 mins: the palate takes on plum-like flavor. Fatigue now sets in and the wine quickly loses its balance…

Truly aristocratic and stylish! Never noisy, pushy or overblown!

The mature, evolved sophistication is presented in supreme elegance, subtlety and light-hearted leisure. What a treat!