Michael Schuster: 1996 Medoc - An Affordable Maturity?

Mullenlowe, C-Space, 37-45 City Riad, London, EC1Y 1AT
Tasted Tuesday, March 12, 2019 by Andrewbdc with 137 views

Introduction

Michael Schuster presentation of the 1996 Bordeaux vintage with some benchmark wines. Classic examples and nice pairing comparisons.

Flight 1 - Introductory Wines (2 Notes)

  • 1996 Clos du Marquis

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien

    Medium garnet. Slightly closed. Notable fresh acidity, low fine tannins, finely gravely, moderately complex. Unexciting, decent, no more. Opens up with time - vanilla becomes more evident.

    60% CS, 33% M, 7% PV, 12.5% alcohol. Note that this is now a separate cure as Petit Lion is now the 2nd wine of Las Cases.

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  • 1996 Réserve de la Comtesse

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

    Medium garnet. More evolved and complex, herbaceous note from the merlot, mushroom, earth, cedar, coffee, savoury, spicy. Very distinctive for Pichon Lalande. Fully developed. Classic. Low tannins. Fruit fading a little.

    69% M, 30% CS, 1% CF, 13% alcohol. MS recommends 14, 15, 16, 17.

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Flight 2 - St Estephe - Montrose (2 Notes)

  • 1996 La Dame de Montrose

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe

    Medium garnet. Cassis, red currant, vanilla, cedar, clove, gravel. Very soft tannins, fresh acidity. Mined-Weight, nice fruit core. Fully developed. Good length, although significantly shorter than the 1996 Montrose. Classic claret, excellent 2nd wine.

    55% CS, 37% M, 8% CF, 12.5% alcohol, 35% new oak.

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  • 1996 Château Montrose

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe

    Medium garnet. Cassis, vanilla, cedar, clove, savoury, earth, gravel, smoke. Fully developed. Soft tannins, very long finish, fresh acidity. Finer, more concentrated and complex than La Dame. Rich, concentrated, mid-weight.

    76% CS, 20% M, 3% CF, 1% PV, 12.5% alcohol, 45% new oak.

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Flight 3 - St Julien - the Bartons (2 Notes)

  • 1996 Château Langoa Barton

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien

    Dark garnet. Cassis, gravel, earth, cedar, leather. Developing. Medium fresh acidity, fine tannins, long finish. Sweet blackcurrant on the palate. Beautifully balanced, mid-weight. Benchmark St Julien in early maturity.

    57% CS, 34% M, 9% CF, 12.5% alcohol

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  • 1996 Château Léoville Barton

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien

    Medium garnet. Cassis, earth, vanilla, cedar, leather, ripe red fruit. Developing. Fresh acidity, medium fine tannins, long finish. Depper, more vital, but tighter than the Langoa Barton.

    72% CS, 20% M, 8% CF, 12.5% alcohol

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Flight 4 - 2nd Growths - Ducru-Beaucaillou and Pichon baron (2 Notes)

  • 1996 Château Ducru-Beaucaillou

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Julien

    Dark garnet. Sweet cassis and red fruit, vanilla, gravel, earth, spice, Developing. Medium- acidity, mid weight, fine grained tannins, harmonious, beautiful fruit core, very long finish. Outstanding.

    75% CS, 25% M, 13% alcohol

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  • 1996 Château Pichon-Longueville Baron

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

    Very sweet fruit. Cassis, vanilla, cedar, gravel. Developing. Fresh medium acidity, med+ tannins, long finish. Ripe red and blackcurrant core of fruit. Compared to the St Julien's tasted this evening (Langoa Barton, Leoville Barton, Ducru Beaucaillou), this is richer, more muscular, greater concentration of fruit. Outstanding.

    80% CS, 13% alcohol

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Closing

As always, a pleasure to taste with Michael and to hear his comments on the wine. This vintage is drinking well now, although some of the best wines are only now arriving at maturity.

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