Champagne Vincent Couche, “Sensation” Dégorgement Tardif

After learning that New Year’s Eve fell on a Friday, I knew I couldn't close the curtain on 2021 until hunting down one final Champagne rarity. And so, with a Cheshire-like grin, I’m thrilled to present Vincent Couche’s “newest” insanely long-aged white whale: the limited release of his 2000 “Sensation” Dégorgement Tardif. If you’ve yet to experience these stunning biodynamic beauties, I should either welcome you to SommSelect and/or offer my condolences for missing the boat on the previous three sellouts. Tonight, though, the slate is clean, as this is the first time in history consumers are laying eyes on Couche’s spectacular turn-of-the-century release.Here’s how this vinous magic was created: Either a man of calculated genius or insanity (the jury is still out), the truly singular Vincent Couche blended together naturally farmed Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in the year 2000, vinified it in old French barrels, and then let it mature for 20 years in bottle before disgorgement in April o