Tasting Notes
Vinous 90
(64% cabernet sauvignon, 30% merlot and 6% petit verdot; 3.81 pH; 12.9% alcohol): Dark red with a hint of amber at the rim. Aromatic nose of red cherry, cedar, graphite and orange peel, complicated by a leafy note. Fresh, clean flavors of redcurrant and spicy herbs linger well on the juicy, high-acid finish. Improved considerably in the glass, showing sneaky concentration and depth. This is a lovely example of a Bordeaux made in a past, cooler era, with cabernet grapes that were most likely not completely ripe. However, the mild leafy character adds complexity and refinement. Harvested between September 23 and October 8.
Robert Parker 89
Ex-chateau bottle tasted at Roberson’s Branaire-Ducru tutorial. This has a quintessential 1996 bouquet with scents of blackberry, fresh tobacco, bay leaf and just a touch of Chinese spice. Good definition and very a oeclassica in style. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, good depth, just a touch of austerity derived from the Cabernet that lends this an almost foursquare cedar tart cherry finish. With one step in secondary phase, the structure and depths suggests this will be have a longer future that I expected, although it does not have the complexity of recent vintages. Drink now-2025. Tasted October 2010.
Anticipated maturity: 2011-2025
JancisRobinson.com 16.5
Deep crimson with some development at the rim. Low-key nose, only starting to unfurl but there is a promising amount of Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated fruit here. Not the subtlest wine but quite lip smacking and with quite a future ahead of it.
Anticipated maturity: 2009-2020
