1996 Champagne Vranken Cuvée Diamant Blue in luxe coffret

Presented in an exceptionally crafted luxury coffret, the 1996 Champagne Vranken Cuvée Diamant Blue is a rare, late-released vintage cuvée from one of Champagne’s most esteemed houses. Released in autumn 2024 with an allocation of just six bottles for the Netherlands, this is a collector’s piece as much as it is a remarkable wine. Crafted from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from an outstanding vintage, it showcases the elegance and complexity that only long-aged Champagne can deliver.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, this Cuvée Diamant Blue shows a deep, lustrous golden-yellow hue, a clear sign of its age and extended maturation, with an extraordinarily fine, almost invisible perlage that comes alive on the palate. The nose is layered and expressive, opening with aromas of ripe yellow orchard fruits, dried apricot and mirabelle plum, followed by subtle herbal nuances, black pepper, roasted nuts and a gentle hint of toast and brioche. On the palate, the wine is both vibrant and mature, with a beautifully balanced interplay of richness and freshness. Flavours of candied fruit and honey mingle with fresher notes of citrus zest and a touch of saline minerality, giving the wine lift and precision. The mousse is creamy yet energetic, releasing the bubbles in a very refined, almost airy texture. At nearly three decades old, this 1996 is in a superb drinking window now, with the potential to hold and evolve further over the next few years for those who appreciate the more tertiary, nutty and honeyed side of great mature Champagne.

Production
The grapes for Vranken Cuvée Diamant Blue are sourced from select vineyards across Champagne, where chalk-rich soils and cool climatic conditions deliver both finesse and structure to Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The fruit is typically harvested by hand to ensure only the healthiest bunches reach the press, preserving purity and aromatic delicacy. After gentle pressing, the base wines are vinified separately before blending, with the final cuvée undergoing its secondary fermentation in bottle in the traditional Champagne method. Extended aging on the lees over many years contributes to the fine, persistent mousse and the complex notes of nuts, honey and spice that define this luxurious vintage release.

Food & Serving
This mature prestige cuvée pairs beautifully with refined, flavourful dishes such as lobster with butter and herbs, scallops in a light cream sauce, roasted poultry with truffle, or aged hard cheeses like Comté or Parmesan. Its complexity and aged character also make it a superb contemplative Champagne to enjoy on its own on special occasions. Serve well-chilled, ideally around 10–12°C (50–54°F), to allow the full spectrum of aromas to unfold. Decanting is generally not necessary for Champagne, but pouring the first glass and giving the bottle a few minutes in the glass before tasting will help this 1996 vintage open up gracefully.

Producer
Vranken is part of the renowned Vranken Pommery Monopole group, a major name in Champagne whose story began in 1976 when Belgian entrepreneur Paul-François Vranken launched his own Champagne brand. Over the decades, the group has grown to encompass several leading houses, including the historic Pommery estate, acquired in 2002, and today stands as one of the region’s most influential producers of sparkling wine. While Pommery is widely known for its more broadly distributed, classic cuvées, the Champagnes bottled under the Vranken name represent the high-end, estate-driven side of the group, crafted primarily from their own vineyards. With a focus on quality, precision and a distinctive house style, Vranken’s top cuvées, such as Cuvée Diamant, underline the group’s status as a key player in shaping the image of premium Champagne worldwide.

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