Moët & Chandon Brut Champagne Cuvée Dom Pérignon Oenothèque 1996

100 points (20/20) Decanter: "Such high-strung energy, drive and acid tension -- this is almost completely devoid of time evolution. Achingly youthful, dancing with fairy lightness on a stage of solid chalk. Resounding proof that the intoxicating concentration and searing acidity of 1996 can find harmony. Drink: 2014-2046. Alcohol 12.5%. (Jul 2014)"

100 points Tyson Stelzer (The Champagne Guide): "(disgorged in 2008; 50% pinot noir, 50% chardonnay; first release 10g/L dosage, Oenothèque 6g/L). Dom Pérignon Oenothèque 1996 is one of the greatest Doms of all, ranking among the top few champagnes on the shelves again this year. At this age, every bottle is different, and the most vivacious and energetic have not evolved one iota from the perfect bottle I tasted in 2013; the rest are but one point behind. Oenothèque 1996 is almost completely devoid of time evolution. Never have I tasted a champage of this age of such energy, drive and acid tension, still achingly fragrant, floral and focused at 19 years of age. Its mineral texture is an epiphany, dancing with fairy lightness on a stage of solid chalk, slowly becoming ever more creamy as lees-derived texture inflates. Nuances of dried nectarine are emerging, yet never toasty or tertiary, even as 1998 is already. Dom Pérignon absolutely, finally and resoundingly silences the question on the lips of critics and connoisseurs for the past 19 years: will this bizarre and inimitable season of dehydrated concentration and low ripeness ever find balance between its intoxicating power and its searing acidity? It will and, my goodness, it has. And it will live for a lifetime. (2016-2017)"

97-98 points Essi Avellan, MW: "(50% Chardonnay, 50% Pinot Noir). Superbly toasty, highly expressive nose packed with sweet gunpowder, aromatic wood, ginger and mineral notes. Long and linear structure coming with super high, perfectly lined acidity. Lean, zesty and expansive. Highly youthful still, full of unreleased energy. Constantly improving. At CSWWC we awarded it as the World Champion Deluxe brut. I have come across several corked bottles, which makes me recommend this less whole-heartedly as I would based on a perfect bottle. (Dec 2019)"

97 points John Gilman (View From the Cellar): "This was my first look at the 1996 Oenotheque release of Dom Pérignon, which of course if quite a bit behind the evolutionary arc of the original release of the wine. The bouquet is still fairly youthful and steely in profile, delivering a still primary nose of green apple, pear, a touch of menthol, great, stony minerality, the gentle botanicals of Dom Pérignon in its youth, bread dough and a smoky topnote. On the palate the wine is pure, full-bodied, young and absolutely pristine, with laser-like focus, refined mousse, great backend mineral drive and a very long, focused and perfectly balanced young finish. This does not offer anywhere near the pleasure in the glass today as the original release, but it will be even finer once it has reached its apogee. 2028-2075. (Sep/Oct 2016)"

97 points Antonio Galloni (Wine Advocate): "The 1996 Dom Perignon Oenotheque offers up layers of pastry, lemon, smoke and toastiness. At first deceptively understated, the wine turns positively explosive and layered on the palate, showing remarkable tension, elegance and power, all wrapped around a seriously intense frame. The balance between fruit and acidity is awesome. This is a marvelous DP OEeno. The OEeno is the same juice as the regular Dom Perignon, except the OEeno is aged on the cork while the regular DP is aged in crown-sealed bottles. Once disgorged, the OEenos gets a slightly lower dosage than is typical for the original release DP. This bottle was disgorged in 2008. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2026. (Dec 2010)"

97 points Allen Meadows (Burghound): "This remains one of my favorite all-time vintages of the Oenothèque series. An elegant if highly restrained nose displays cool nuances of green apple, a variety of citrus elements and discreet floral hints along with plenty of yeast character. There is superb precision to the equally cool and restrained middle weight flavors that dance across the palate thanks to the incredibly fine mousse that is at once firm but not aggressive on the notably dry but not really austere finale. I very much like the '96 Oenothèque as it's a wonderfully graceful effort that possesses impeccable balance and a refinement that it doesn't always achieve. In terms of where it is in its evolution, '96 is going to be one of those timeless vintages that will still be with us 30 years hence as I believe that it will continue to age effortlessly. For my taste this gorgeous effort has arrived at its peak though it should continue to hold here for years to come. In sum, this is flat out great and one of the greatest Champagnes of the modern era. Drink: 2017+. (Jun 2017)"

97 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The 1996 Dom Pérignon Oenothèque has really turned a corner over the last six months or so. When it was originally introduced the 1996 was hard as nails, today it is an exquisite Champagne that captures the essential brightness and energy of the year. Lemon, slate, oyster shells and white flowers stain the palate in an intense, beautifully sculpted Champagne of the highest level. Drink: 2016-2031. (Oct 2014)"

96-97 points Richard Juhlin: "(50% Chardonnay, 50% Pinot Noir) A real legend that you rarely see under this label, but that is how I usually enjoy this great vintage. Creamy and phenolic maturity, but at the same time the wine has great potential. Have won further on being in contact with the yeast precipitate even longer. Further a gear in this master wine. Hold on for magnum and drink from the year 2025. On the bottle, it is already lovely with a strong seafood touch, classic roasting, nutritious wealth backed by a senseless acidity and length. (Dec 2021)"

96 points Josh Raynolds (International Wine Cellar): "(disgorged in 2008): Yellow-gold. Explosive aromas of ripe pear, honey, gingerbread and iodine, with intense smokiness and notes of chalky minerals and magnolia. Sappy, palate-staining orchard and pit fruit flavors are braced by exotic spice and mineral qualities, picking up notes of buttery brioche and toasted grain with air. Strikingly dense but energetic too, finishing with superb thrust and mineral-driven persistence. This ridiculously complex Champagne is only beginning to enter its window of maturity. (Nov/Dec 2013)"

96 points and '100 Best Wines of 2013,' Wine & Spirits: "This transforms the violent power of 1996 into a supple and succulent wine, holding the masculine tension of the vintage while yielding more delicate complexities: orange peel, cedar, ginger, tobacco. The wine’s refinement is extraordinary, the sumptuous richness girded into a gentle, sunny finish that lives in the memory after lingering for minutes on the lips. A youthful classic that shows no signs of its 16 years of age, this should live for decades. (Nov 2013)"