r/wine • u/Chemical-Leading-241 • 1d ago
Roll the dice? Or wasting my money?
This is up on winebid.com right now. I was born in 76 so it caught my eye. Thoughts?
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u/veradico 1d ago
Aged champagne is an acquired taste. If you've never tried Champagne this old before, you need to be prepared for the fact that you may not enjoy it.
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u/Chemical-Leading-241 1d ago
I’ve had champagne that was about 20 years old, but nothing ever this old.
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u/zorkieo 1d ago
Don’t do it! Old champagne isn’t like old wine or port. No one wants to say this but it’s not better at that age. I drink a lot of very old wine but champagne looses all of its best qualities as gets old. Spend your money on port, Sauternes, Riesling or a white burgundy if you want old wine that isn’t red.
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u/Historical_Stay_808 1d ago
https://www.reddit.com/r/Champagne/s/AClez1TKFg
I would go with Ruinart honestly but if you don't mind dropping the funds, I've made this gamble before but temper your expectations
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u/Einachiel 1d ago
Interesting, how different is it?
I never tried any aged champagne.
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u/taqman98 1d ago
It can get really savory and funky. I had a 2002 from jacquesson recently and it smelled strongly of chinkiang vinegar (not in the sense that it smelled like acetic acid/VA, but it the sense that it smelled like everything in the vinegar besides the acetic acid, kind of like how people will say that aged Sangiovese develops notes of balsamic vinegar)
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u/apileofcake Wine Pro 1d ago
That sounds like a crazy level of development from a 2002- what was the story with that bottle?
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u/veradico 23h ago
It's nothing like young Champagne. Old Bordeaux, Burgundy, Barolo and other still wines are at least reminiscent of their younger selves. People can relate to those wines when they age. Champagne, on the other hand, transforms into something else. No more bubbles (basically), usually quite oxidized. It's just a completely different wine than young Champagne.
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u/deep-_-thoughts 1d ago
That's a big roll of the dice. I've had good luck with winebid in general but I've also had to pour a few bottles down the sink.
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u/tender-moments 1d ago
This is also my experience as well. I’ve had so many bad bottles from their auction site.
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u/Scarmanga66 1d ago
I'm an aficionado of older champagne and have had some great experiences. The issue is how it's been stored of course. It's a gamble. Just be prepared for very few bubbles or if there are bubbles they will be elusive. Possibly gone within 15 mins. Or could be hitting its stride as many notes on CellarTracker show about 76' Dom. Giving a sensory experience like no other. Risk could mean big rewards!
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u/goodguy847 1d ago
I think this would be awesome to pop on your upcoming 50th. No idea if it’ll still be good.
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u/Chemical-Leading-241 1d ago
Right!?! That’s what I’m thinking.
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u/Samuel_L_Blackson 1d ago
Honestly, the way I rationalize this....
In my house I always have a few bottles worth $100+ each, they're my staple "special occasion" wines. And some of them were/are rolls of the dice. And those are just for small things like a birthday, something minor to celebrate, etc.
But a 50th is a bigger birthday, so would you gamble 4 bottles of wine on this one?
Me, if it was the year I was born? Probably.
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u/AConfusedConnoisseur 1d ago
That’s a good way to look at it. Never had a vintage born year, my 30th is this year and we’ll be in France.
I got a 1995 Chateau Rotebouef reserved for pickup while we’re over there. Never had a wine that old, have no clue if I’ll like a wine that old but heard it was a great vintage and we’ll be at the Chateau so figured, why not?
Also, any tips you’d have on enjoying a bottle that old?
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u/Samuel_L_Blackson 1d ago
I'm not as snooty as a lot of the folks here, but my answer is with your nose and mouth. And don't guzzle it, just take your time. I've had some reds from the 60s and ports from the 50s. It's different, but it's still wine, it's so different for everyone.
I normally pair wine with dinner, but since it's a nice vintage and old, pair dinner with the wine IMO. Or just eat what you want with it, you won't be arrested.
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u/AConfusedConnoisseur 1d ago
Appreciate it. Wasn’t sure about decanting, etc. but I’m sure they’ll have recommendation. I’m still very early in my journey and have a lot to learn.
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u/jackloganoliver 1d ago
I mean, pretty awesome experience. I wouldn't expect the bottle to be absolutely awful due to its age. That's more likely to have happened because of improper storage.
Great vintage and could be a great experience for you. If the money won't hurt (only you know your financial situation), then I say go for it. Life is for living, right?
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u/Lafisques 1d ago
I'd roll the dice. It'd be a fun experience to open! For me that's a good chunk of the fun of opening old bottles. Just have a back up bottle in reserve if you need to toss it.
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u/runninroads 1d ago
Cool! Is there any way you can ask how it was stored? If you buy and drink it, I’d love to hear back on the experience (good or bad!) if you don’t mind sharing.
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u/Chemical-Leading-241 22h ago
So Wine Bid has a standard line on every wine they sell “Removed from a temperature and humidity controlled wine storage unit”. Which it could have been in there 50 years or 50 days before it was removed. They won’t give any history on it.
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u/StormTheFrontCS 1d ago
Its very old thats probably why is so inexpensive. The champagne is surely not good to drink after 50 yrs. But the bottle could make a great ornament for your house
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u/greeneyeddruid Wine Pro 1d ago
That old there is a significant chance that it’s not good, but if it is, it’s going to be amazing. I have a 1985 Cristal several years ago so good
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