emcquillan
2912
As good as 86 Margaux was I needed an upgrade to balance the week until Canada plays again.
1996 Lafite Rothschild:
The barn nose is consistent with the left bank wines of the 1996 vintage, but the Lafite’s nose exhibits class that marries more elegant rustic notes with gorgeous fruit. On the palette is lush fresh fruit, graphite, gravel and just a touch of wood. The finish has integrated tannins, fine acidity and freshness. The finesse on the middle palate and finish is first class. The wine also exhibits thrust with a reverberating and powerful finish. The wine can be enjoyed today and will still provide enjoyment for decades. I estimate prime maturity 2022-2040, but I wouldn’t be shocked if the ‘96 Lafite still offers enjoyment past 2050.
Now I am consoled until Canada’s next match. Tomorrow I’ll drink house wine! 
As good as 86 Margaux was I needed an upgrade to balance the week until Canada plays again.
1996 Lafite Rothschild: The barn nose is consistent with the left bank wines of the 1996 vintage, but the Lafite’s nose exhibits class that marries more elegant rustic notes with gorgeous fruit. On the palette is lush fresh fruit, graphite, gravel and jus...
Thank you Yacomino. Always enjoy hearing from a fellow Canadian. It is a superb wine still sipping.
I paired it with the background noise of two rambunctious kids playing and herbed salmon with seasonal vegetables. Would have been better with duck confit, but I wasn’t cooking )
I had a 1997 Ridge Vineyards Montebello a couple years ago and it was wonderful!
That 97 was drinking beautifully a couple years ago. And California wines are sometimes very fruity and this one I felt was very nicely aged. But perhaps it would've been even better in another few years like yours. I unfortunately don't have any more 199...
Ah the Ridge Monte Bello
One of a number of Californian wines I do enjoy. I imagine the 97 drinking very elegantly right now. I still have five (5) bottles of the '96 Lafite and if I can be disciplined won't try another for approximately five years. The tannins had some grit upon...
Sounds like you've got an extensive cellar!
Most of my drinkable cellar is still in the 2006 range. For California Cabs, that's just the start of when they can be drunk (I try to avoid drinking them less than 15 years). Most everything else is still too young to be drunk. I don't have much from the...
Thank you Patrick
My cellar is mostly Bordeaux and I am new to collecting Burgundy, but doing so rapidly. The two other areas I very much appreciate are Napa and Tuscany. For some reason it’s easier to get back vintages of these regions in my parts, whereas most of my Bord...
