1992 & 1993 Vintage Champagne panel tasting results

<p><em>Disgorged April 2007</em></p> <p>Run by Gilles Dumangin, who has been in charge for the last 10 years or so, and is generally credited for raising the quality at this small, family-owned house to the point where its Champagne was served at former Beatle Paul McCartney&rsquo;s recent wedding. Although occasionally a gem can be found in these cellars, there have been more failures than successes among the more mature vintages, and the 1993 was not at all impressive when released, so if any Outstanding designation listed on these pages was a surprise, it must be Dumangin. Made by Gilles&rsquo; father Jacky Dumangin, this is a blend of 54% Chardonnay and 46% Pinot Noir, with a dosage of 10g/l.</p>

<p>(disgorged December 2006)</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Smooth, subdued but complex, creamy nose of patisserie, vanilla and apple, very refreshing and pure. Excellent backbone of acidity keeping the wine lively. Brisk impact of mousse in mouth. Still very youthful.</p>

<p>(disgorged May 2004)</p> <p>Poised and lingering, with dark, rich honey and earth on the nose. Subtly opulent and moreish. It is a muscular and forceful wine. Amazing acidity keeps the toastiness in check. Fantastic Champagne and an absolute classic!</p>

<p>(disgorged June 1996)</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Rich, evolving nose of toast, coffee and opulent fruit. Lovely expressive maturity of flavours in fine balance; very rich and firm for its age. Fleshy and voluptuous on the vivacious fresh palate. Full of life but comes with lovely aged aromatics.</p>

<p>(Magnum, disgorged April 2012)</p> <p>Fantastic toasty nose of gunpowder, lemon and flowers. Light and intense at the same time. Creamy, caressing mousse. Fine balance of maturity and freshness. Drinking well now if you like zesty Champagnes with underlying yeasty complexity.</p>

<p>Amazing purity of fruit for a 20-year-old Champagne. Youthful, floral, pronounced nose with lifted notes, yeast and sweet candied fruit. Full, voluptuous and fresh &ndash; seamless on the palate. Very much alive and improving.</p>

<p>(disgorged 2004)</p> <p>Intriguing, floral nose with gunpowder and coffee notes. Some real richness here, the presence, perhaps, of great Pinot Noir waking up from a long sleep. Fresh, youthful and zesty with lovely lightness of structure. Lean, long and appetising.</p>

<p>Soft, sweet honey and dried fruit nose. A gentle richness of fruit that dances lightly on the palate. Freshness and drive, developing subtle vinosity yet still mouthwatering. Shows real class and finesse.</p>

Nose of toast, toffee and vanilla. Gunpowder hints coming through. Captivating autolytic development: poised flavours and a gentle yet alive mouthfeel. Good intensity of fruit and high acidity. Exceptional.

<p>Evolved nose of honey, charred notes and dried fruit. Bright acidity on the fleshy, voluptuous palate that is very much alive. Developing subtle vinosity yet still mouthwatering. Drinking wonderfully now but with definite development potential.</p> <p>(disgorged June 2008)</p>

<p>(disgorged June 2011)</p> <p>Soft nose of white fruit, creamy coffee, spice and pastry. Fresh aromatics, with floral elements filtering through the rich fruit on the palate. Vinous and powerful with age ahead. A great food wine as it&rsquo;s absolutely dry as far as perception goes.</p>

<p>(disgorged May 2011)</p> <p>Soft, sweet nose of ripe orchard fruit and vanilla. Full-bodied, round and vinous on the palate. This Champagne promises to develop great toasty-vanilla complexity, and its lack of any depth of toastiness at 20 years can only augur well for the future.</p>

<p>(disgorged March 2012)</p> <p>Floral, highly aromatic and candied nose. Hedge fruits and gooseberry with a touch of lime. Rich and creamy with excellent acidity. Not yet into its complex third stage.</p>

<p>(disgorged June 1999)</p> <p>Restrained nose of white peach and vanilla. Lovely, mellow coffee and toast aromas flitting through rich, tangy fruit. Rich, evolved and opulent. Great acidity and impressively youthful. A delicious wine to be enjoyed now.</p>