TN: 1996 Château Lafite Rothschild (France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac)

WINE TALK
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  • 1996 Château Lafite Rothschild - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac (1/17/2015)
    First Lafite. Decanted for three hours and followed for two more. Brilliant garnet color. Nose of dense black currant, cedar, a bit of bell pepper, cassis, leather, and earth. On the palate very quiet at first but at hour four the wine just bloomed, revealing silky red currant, plum, blackberry, graphite, and sweet mulberry with loads of effortless refinement. Moderate acidity and tamed tannins leading to a persistent but whispery finish of surprisingly youthful fruit and ever-so-satisfying grip at the end. Intensity without weight in a Bordeaux? Here it is. (94 pts.)

Posted from CellarTracker

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I’m really starting to be drawn back to Bordeaux again recently…I’ve been loving some from the 70’s & early 80’s that I’ve had in the past 1-2 years. With this we can see why so many people are drawn to this region…oh to have access to the Oxford cellar…

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Doug,

“Intensity without weight”. I really like that description because it sums up the best wines of Bordeaux. Your other tasting descpriptors were very evocative too.

When you taste such a wine against a strong, black-colored, assertive wine - from wherever - you say to yourself that there is a special kind of magic…

Of course, there is the issue of value for money…

One question though: insofar as great wines have a peak, where was/is 1996 Lafite’s in your opinion?

Alex?

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Kirk and Alex,

Bordeaux is what I collected when I first got started in wine and some of my earlier bottles are getting some age on them now. Having said that, I believe the 1995 and 1996 vintages are barely into their drinking windows and this Lafite is not going to peak for close to a decade. I am certainly no expert and would be interested in other opinions.

Cheers,
Doug

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I used my Chalone dividend for these on release so glad to see the post.

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Mont,

Please post a note if you sample one!

Cheers,
Doug

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Tasted it a few years ago. It was stunning.

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Not that I have deep experience with this famed Chateau, but I have always found it the most elegant of the First Growths. The 2000 is just plain beautiful, drinks almost like a cooler vintage Bordeaux.

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when i was first getting into wine someone poured this at an offline and i was blown away. probably still the best young bordeaux i’ve ever had. the HB 1996 is similarly structured.

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Agreed, I’ve had it twice and both times stunning. Although not a big fan of 96 hb I’m so not seeing the connection.