1996 Noble Champagne Grand Cru Brut 1.5L

96 POINTS: The 1996 Champagne Noble Vintage Brut is a blend with vibrant acidity. It’s a bright, golden color, and it’s structured and angular on the palate. From a bright vintage that’s maturing at a very slow rate, it has elegant hints of organic forest earth, as well as notes of cocoa, espresso, dried apricot, and citrus oils. Medium to full-bodied, but compact and sporty, it has the intensity and the acidity of the 2008, but this 1996 is more balanced. It's intense and long on the palate, mouthwatering, electric, and fresh in its vibrant energy, with a fine, spritely mousse. The mousse becomes more creamy as it opens, with coffee and cocoa hiding just underneath. Disgorged April 2022, with 3 grams per liter dosage.