1 dozen bottles per lot
Details
1996 CLARET
A GREAT VINTAGE FOR CABERNET SAUVIGNON
"In contrast to 1995, which had a fabulous summer marred by a rainy September, 1996's weather pattern was most unusual. 1996 started off as one of the earliest vintages of the century, with blazingly hot weather in early spring, followed by a cold period, and then torrid temperatures in June. The summer was relatively normal, except for several abnormally cold periods. Late August, usually hot and dry, witnessed freakish quantities of rain, in addition to below normal temperatures. September was a relatively dry and, most importantly, windy month. The gusty northern winds played a paramount role in drying out the vineyards after the late August rains. In addition, these winds (along with the dry, sunny days) were the primary reason for the extraordinary accumulation of sugar in the grapes, particularly the Cabernet Sauvignon, which was harvested very late.
This is an irregular vintage without the quality consistency of 1995. The great strength of 1996 is the Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated wines of the Médoc.
I spent several weeks in November, 1997 tasting through all the wines again, and in the twenty years I have been visiting the area and tasting young Bordeaux vintages, I have never tasted Cabernet Sauvignon as rich, ripe, pure, and intense as the finest 1996 Médocs exhibit. I believe some Cabernet Sauvignon-based wines of the Médoc may turn out to be among the greatest red wines Bordeaux has produced in the last fifty years."
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate
Château Lafite-Rothschild--Vintage 1996
Pauillac, 1er cru classé
All lots in original wooden case
Parcel: lots 65-68
"Tasted three times since bottling, the 1996 Lafite-Rothschild is unquestionably this renowned estate's greatest wine. As I indicated last year, only 38 of the crop was deemed grand enough to be put into the final blend, which is atypically high in Cabernet Sauvignon (83 Cabernet Sauvignon, 7 Cabernet Franc, 7 Merlot, and 3 Petit Verdot). This massive wine may be the biggest, largest-scaled Lafite I have ever tasted. It will require many years to come around, so I suspect all of us past the age of fifty might want to give serious consideration as to whether we should be laying away multiple cases of this wine. It is also the first Lafite-Rothschild to be put into a new engraved bottle (designed to prevent fraudulent imitations). The wine exhibits a thick-looking, ruby/purple color, and a knock-out nose of lead pencil, minerals, flowers, and black currant scents. Extremely powerful and full-bodied, with remarkable complexity for such a young wine, this huge Lafite is oozing with extract and richness, yet has managed to preserve its quintessentially elegant personality. This wine is even richer than it was prior to bottling. It should unquestionably last for 40-50 years. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2050. The wine of the vintage?" Robert Parker, Wine Advocate #122, April 1999
1 dozen bottles per lot
A GREAT VINTAGE FOR CABERNET SAUVIGNON
"In contrast to 1995, which had a fabulous summer marred by a rainy September, 1996's weather pattern was most unusual. 1996 started off as one of the earliest vintages of the century, with blazingly hot weather in early spring, followed by a cold period, and then torrid temperatures in June. The summer was relatively normal, except for several abnormally cold periods. Late August, usually hot and dry, witnessed freakish quantities of rain, in addition to below normal temperatures. September was a relatively dry and, most importantly, windy month. The gusty northern winds played a paramount role in drying out the vineyards after the late August rains. In addition, these winds (along with the dry, sunny days) were the primary reason for the extraordinary accumulation of sugar in the grapes, particularly the Cabernet Sauvignon, which was harvested very late.
This is an irregular vintage without the quality consistency of 1995. The great strength of 1996 is the Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated wines of the Médoc.
I spent several weeks in November, 1997 tasting through all the wines again, and in the twenty years I have been visiting the area and tasting young Bordeaux vintages, I have never tasted Cabernet Sauvignon as rich, ripe, pure, and intense as the finest 1996 Médocs exhibit. I believe some Cabernet Sauvignon-based wines of the Médoc may turn out to be among the greatest red wines Bordeaux has produced in the last fifty years."
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate
Château Lafite-Rothschild--Vintage 1996
Pauillac, 1er cru classé
All lots in original wooden case
Parcel: lots 65-68
"Tasted three times since bottling, the 1996 Lafite-Rothschild is unquestionably this renowned estate's greatest wine. As I indicated last year, only 38 of the crop was deemed grand enough to be put into the final blend, which is atypically high in Cabernet Sauvignon (83 Cabernet Sauvignon, 7 Cabernet Franc, 7 Merlot, and 3 Petit Verdot). This massive wine may be the biggest, largest-scaled Lafite I have ever tasted. It will require many years to come around, so I suspect all of us past the age of fifty might want to give serious consideration as to whether we should be laying away multiple cases of this wine. It is also the first Lafite-Rothschild to be put into a new engraved bottle (designed to prevent fraudulent imitations). The wine exhibits a thick-looking, ruby/purple color, and a knock-out nose of lead pencil, minerals, flowers, and black currant scents. Extremely powerful and full-bodied, with remarkable complexity for such a young wine, this huge Lafite is oozing with extract and richness, yet has managed to preserve its quintessentially elegant personality. This wine is even richer than it was prior to bottling. It should unquestionably last for 40-50 years. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2050. The wine of the vintage?" Robert Parker, Wine Advocate #122, April 1999
1 dozen bottles per lot
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