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Opened to celebrate my 44th birthday on 28 March 2009.

Huge buttery smell with a hint of wood smoke on the nose. A very dark golden yellow colour. Much darker than any other champagne I have ever had. The predominent flavour was of Lyle's Golden Syrup. A very sweet champagne with not much fizz and lacking any length in the finish.

Champagne experts: does this sound like a bad bottle?

I must add Jo's comment on the night to complete the picture:

Jo wrote:I forgot to smell it and just went in for a glug

Never had the 1997, but judging from other vintages I'd say this was indeed a bad bottle.

Doesn't sound good. A 12 year old bottle should not be too dark, too flat and certainly shouldn't be tasting of Lyle's Golden Syrup. Rayner's, it should always taste of Rayner's (yes, this is a joke and I did have to search around for another maker of golden syrup)