6 bottles per lot
Details
1996 LAFITE
1996 will go down as a classic vintage on the left bank and the wines are just approaching a lovely drinking plateau. The conditions, according to Michael Broadbent:
First, the vital (growing) statistics: the occasional bouts of frost in February and March were too early to do any damage though the bud break was delayed until mid-April. The all important flowering was quick and even, finished by the 20th day of a very hot June. It continued warm until August which started cool but ended with hot sun and cold nights.
High expectations were initially dampened, pre-harvest rain affecting the early ripening Merlots which diluted and reduced the crop size in Pomerol and St. Emilion. The Médoc fared better with roughly half the rainfall, though towards the end of the September, it rained again. The late-picked Cabernets were of high quality resulting in rich fairing concentrated wines. This vintage is worth watching.
Château Lafite-Rothschild--Vintage 1996
Pauillac, 1er cru classé
"A highlight of a recent dinner, the '96 Lafite was a powerful wine in the first blush of youth, showing youthful red berry fruit with a lashing of oak bur also a spicy, earthy side. On the palate there are firm tannins and incredible density." Wonderful! At a client dinner in Tokyo. CC, May 2010
6 bottles per lot
1996 will go down as a classic vintage on the left bank and the wines are just approaching a lovely drinking plateau. The conditions, according to Michael Broadbent:
First, the vital (growing) statistics: the occasional bouts of frost in February and March were too early to do any damage though the bud break was delayed until mid-April. The all important flowering was quick and even, finished by the 20th day of a very hot June. It continued warm until August which started cool but ended with hot sun and cold nights.
High expectations were initially dampened, pre-harvest rain affecting the early ripening Merlots which diluted and reduced the crop size in Pomerol and St. Emilion. The Médoc fared better with roughly half the rainfall, though towards the end of the September, it rained again. The late-picked Cabernets were of high quality resulting in rich fairing concentrated wines. This vintage is worth watching.
Château Lafite-Rothschild--Vintage 1996
Pauillac, 1er cru classé
"A highlight of a recent dinner, the '96 Lafite was a powerful wine in the first blush of youth, showing youthful red berry fruit with a lashing of oak bur also a spicy, earthy side. On the palate there are firm tannins and incredible density." Wonderful! At a client dinner in Tokyo. CC, May 2010
6 bottles per lot