DE VENOGE, LOUIS XV
CHAMPAGNE, FRANCE 2014 & 1996
Why Buy: Produced only in exceptional years and sourced exclusively from Grand Cru vineyards, these long-aged, ready-to-drink cuvées — featuring a 28-year-old marvel from 1996, one of the great vintages of the last 60 years, and a 10-year-old from 2014 — deliver extreme luxury for a lot less than the competition … and a lot less than you might expect from Champagnes with this degree of bottle-age. And they’re thrilling testament to de Venoge's insistence on restricting yields in the field and extended aging in the cellar. But rest assured, friends: these are no mere museum pieces. They deliver that thrum of excitement that all great wines do, along with the sense of surprise and discovery that comes only with long and patient aging.
What They're Saying: James Suckling fell hard for the complexity and texture of the 1996 vintage, awarding 96 points and describing "puff-pastry, dried-apple, spice and salted-nut aromas and flavors" with "ultra fine bubbles" and "an extremely fine and creamy mousse feel." The 96-point 2014 vintage was no less impressive, with Suckling noting “aromas of flint, baked apple, crushed stone, grilled lemons and stone yet always subtle and clear ... powerful flavors and a fresh and zesty palate. Underlying bread dough and toasty notes. Keeps building on the palate."
Our Tasting Notes: The 1996 opens with all the fanfare of the first movement of Beethoven's Fifth – it’s bold, assertive, and absolutely commands our attention. Initial notes of brioche and honey give way to a complex interplay of dried fruits and nuts, with a persistent mineral undertone that speaks to its Grand Cru origins. The mousse is still impressively vigorous, and moves across the palate with the grace of a prima ballerina. In contrast, the 2014 bursts forth with youthful exuberance, all citrus zest and green apple, before yielding to deeper notes of stone fruit and chalk. It's a wine that keeps you on your toes, each sip revealing a new facet of its personality. Both vintages share a remarkable tension between power and finesse, a hallmark of truly great Champagne.
The Specs: The Louis XV cuvées are typically a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, with the exact proportions varying by vintage to best express the year's character. The 1996 and 2014 both showcase the house's commitment to extended aging, far surpassing the legal requirements for vintage Champagne. After secondary fermentation, the wines rest on their lees for several years, developing the complex, autolytic characteristics that define great Champagne. Dosage is kept low, allowing the purity of the Grand Cru fruit to shine through.
The Story: Founded in 1837 by Henri-Marc de Venoge, the house has been more than a hallowed name and a flame-keeper for nearly two centuries; it has also been a pioneer. It was de Venoge who created the first illustrated label in Champagne history, setting a precedent for the artistic labels we see today. And de Venoge was also among the first estates in the region to embrace sustainable viticulture practices, recognizing early on that the health of the land is intrinsically linked to the quality of the wine. The Louis XV cuvée, named in honor of the French monarch who championed the region's wines, represents the pinnacle of de Venoge's craft — and shows that this esteemed house continues to push boundaries while honoring its rich heritage.
What to Pair Them With: The versatility of these Champagnes makes them ideal companions for a broad range of cuisines. The mature 1996 pairs beautifully with foie gras, butter-poached lobster, and aged Comté cheese. The electric 2014 shines alongside fresher flavors – think oysters with mignonette or a selection of sashimi. For a truly decadent experience, serve either alongside Osetra caviar on blinis.
Fun Fact: The distinctive bottle shape of the Louis XV cuvée is not merely an aesthetic choice. It's a nod to the crystal decanters used in the 18th century to serve Champagne at the French court. This design serves not just an aesthetic, but also a practical purpose: the broader base allows for a greater surface area of wine to be in contact with the lees during aging, contributing to the wine's complexity and fine mousse.
Our Guarantee: As always, we only buy and source directly from the estate, to ensure that your bottles arrive with pristine provenance. Act now to secure yours!
*Offer NOT valid in-store. This offer is made pre-arrival, with wines estimated to be delivered to your preferred store in Fall 2024. With the supply chain issues that we are seeing globally, there may be some unforeseen delays which could affect the ETA. All sale prices are the lowest available at Total Wine & More and ONLY valid through Concierge Sales. No further discounts or coupons may be applied. Offer not valid in KS, MI, NY, or TN. This offer is for ONE WEEK, or until sold out, and will expire on Wednesday, August 28th, 2024.
