I checked with the bubbly brain on staff, Bruce Sanderson (who reviews Champagne for Wine Spectator), and he says, Champagne can age well. High acidity and carbon dioxide act as preservatives as it ages in the bottle prior to disgorgement. After disgorgement, Champagne will develop like a still wine. If the quality is high (i.e., an excellent vintage-dated bubbly) and it is well stored, Champagne is capable of long aging.