An Unforgettable Evening: Exploring La Tâche and the Elegant 1996 Champagnes

In the realm of fine dining and exquisite wines, few evenings can rival the recent gathering that aimed to indulge in a casual yet sophisticated experience, centered around an impressive array of 1996 Champagnes paired with several vintages of La Tâche. Here’s a breakdown of our delightful exploration.

Arrival: Setting the Scene

The evening kicked off with two distinct vintages of Champagne. We began with the 1996 Billecart-Salmon Champagne Les Clos Saint-Hilaire, offering a sweet experience complemented by hints of ginger and matured flavors, marking an interesting start, albeit not the freshest. This was followed by the 1996 Gosset Champagne Brut Grand Millésime presented in a magnum format. It showcased youthful characteristics but felt rather unremarkable amidst the stellar lineup.

Flight 1: The Champions of the Night

The first official flight commenced with the 1996 Salon Champagne Blanc de Blancs Brut. This standout wine captured the senses, exhibiting vibrant lemon curd and stone fruits on the nose, beautifully harmonized with a complex midpalate and a captivatingly long finish—easily my favorite of the evening.

Next, we savored the 1996 Krug Champagne Vintage Brut. True to form, it delivered a delightful mix of toasty brioche accompanied by oxidative notes and balanced acidity. While I preferred the Salon, this was a close second.

We then turned to the 1996 Dom Pérignon Champagne Oenothèque, which, unfortunately, felt somewhat muted compared to previous encounters. There was undeniable promise within, waiting to fully express itself.

Lastly, the 1996 Taittinger Champagne Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs Brut underwhelmed me, lacking the fruitiness I had anticipated despite possessing notable acidity.

Flight 2: An Exploration of La Tâche

As we transitioned into the second flight, we encountered the 1976 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti La Tâche, which had been decanted to remove cork remnants. Initially, the aroma was exceptional, showcasing wild and intriguing notes; however, these diminished with time, resulting in a thinner taste profile compared to its companions.

The 1988 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti La Tâche captured the audience’s attention. Elegant and refined, it exemplified the beauty of La Tâche