November 19, 2023 - A nice surprise, confirming the long life of 1996 left banks. Very typical nose, of violet fruit and toasted aromas, mirrored on the palate. Drink now and over the coming 3 years.
March 16, 2023 - More open than in 20109 textbook stuff.
October 16, 2022 - Still at peak. Spheric.
July 3, 2022 - Very smooth
June 2, 2022 - Bottle variance: after an excellent botle this one was in decline. Violet, fruit and toasted aromas, mirrored on the palate, but with a bit of herbs and acidiy coming in.
February 26, 2022 - A nice surprise, confirming the long life of 1996 left banks. Very typical nose, of violet fruit and toasted aromas, mirrored on the palate. Drink now and over the coming 3 years.
January 3, 2022 - Finally ready and could probably have some improvement over the next decade or so as the tannins are still very much alive and kicking.
The musky aromas of rainy forest, mushrooms and fresh tobacco leads in to a delicate platter of cassis and ripe plums. The light cherry notes I picked up were welcome and for me THIS is all a classic Saint-Julien should be. This wine was met with somewhat underwhelming reviews upon it's release, but aging has clearly done this piece a great justice.
September 8, 2020 - In prime drinking window. Initial woody and mushroom blew off to be red and black fruit richness and fern overlay.
December 15, 2019 - Nice aged Bordeaux. Smells like the leather in an old library. Stewed berries and earth.
October 31, 2019 - As for first bottle but even more tannic grip but unfurled over an hour again - no hurry but delicious when given some air