I am hosting a dinner tonight and will be opening some bottles of 1995 Chateau Margaux. I know I should have posted this earlier in the week, but would love suggestions on what time before the dinner I should open the bottles.
Thank you in advance.
I would decant early and leave it in the cellar. It’s a young and structured wine. You aren’t going to hurt it.
Thank you Craig
I would double decant around 4 hours before dinner, and place the bottle(s) back in the cellar. Took this approach with several bottles of 95 Haut Brion a few weeks ago, and they showed brilliantly.
Brian
Yes to these methods. My last bottle (December) of this was decanted 4 hours before drinking. More won’t hurt it.
If you can, sample every few hours. There’s much pleasure to be had in its evolution. Also expect some tannins - food that complements this kind of structure would be very helpful.
We followed the double decant at 4 hours before on a 1998 Angelus and a 1996 Pichon Lalande and that worked pretty well, although the wine continued to open up in the glass after pouring. So some extra time would not hurt with these kind of Big Boys…