SALON Le Mesnil Blanc de Blancs Brut 1996 Champagne (750ml)

Photo by Johnny

L9619907 = Vintage 1996, disgorged on the 199^th day of 2007

Purchased in March, 2008

Tasted in early March, 2012

Served upon popping the cork.

Pale lemon, losing the greenish hue of youth. Lace-like beads.

Seductive nose of soft goat cheese, seasoned with white-peppery minerality, and then followed by a whiff of roasted nuts, indicating the ongoing evolution.

Surprisingly effortless and vivacious on the palate, like a waltz! It has acquired admirable finesse over the last few years. Really emerging from its shell, as compared to its taut, muscular former self that I tasted in Sep. 2008 ( http://blog.sina.com.cn/s/blog_517ac8680100anry.html ) 

And with effortless elegance, it’s building up a huge structure. Thanks to the beautiful fruit, the acidity feels exciting rather than steely. This is an even more thrilling and reassuring experience as compared to the earlier tasting. A sure promise of great things to come!

With aeration and as it warms up in the glass, the stony minerality reasserts its authority. Lingering aftertaste of delicious, sour-sweet fruit in mineral purity.

An hour and a half after being open, it acquires subtly honeyed complexities.