January 10, 2024 - Pristine bottle; slightly translucent medium garnet with modest clear rim; perfumed nose of bright red and dark cherry fruit, cinnamon and other baking spices; some gritty tannins and just medium acidity considering the vintage; decent length. Threw a good bit of sediment. 92+
October 20, 2022 - By appearance, this wine is in great shape. Still quite rich in color. On the nose there is damp forest floor and wood with echoes of cherry making me optimistic. Unfortunately, the wine is much less fun to drink, tasting a bit dried out with the characteristic acidity of the vintage.
December 25, 2020 - This wine is tired. All the structure is there but the fruit and Vosne Romanee spice have faded, leaving only a hint of what was. Very pleasant but nothing more.
November 30, 2019 - Not sure whether this is a bad bottle or just too old. Soy and acid. Not good.
March 12, 2018 - Tasted together with the 1995 vintage. Colour in the same evolution. At the start the 1996 acidity is present but soon integrate well with the good structure. Good finesse with reasonable complexity, mix of red berries, spice and some sous bois. I feel the 1996 is more balance than the 1995, more Vosne-like characteristics. Nevertheless both are good examples from Grivot - I wish I can drink both bottles a bit longer!! 16/20
December 9, 2017 - Brick red with plum and cherry fruit, high acid typical of the vintage, and some leathery mature notes. A delight--drinking beautifully right now.
December 9, 2017 - Medium red with brown edges. Tight poopie black cherry nose. Very earthy plum and orange spice, develops a lot more red cherry and spice in the glass. Delicious earthy cherry flavours and a very dry finish.
October 18, 2017 - Dinner at Formento's with Ross (Chicago, IL): I wasn't too keen on how this was showing. There was a bit of a stewy/pruney note on the nose that wasn't too pleasant, though the palate was certainly better than the nose. Dark, dense, and quite ornery, really. This seemed to be flooded with tannin and wasn't too pleasant to drink. I'd be inclined to rest any a few more years.
September 2, 2017 - Transparent medium garnet with brick-red highlights and a little depot. The bouquet begins with floral components reminiscent of oleander that mingle with lingonberry, intense balsamic notes and soft smoky nuances. Initial satiny mouthfeel is highlighted with refreshing lemony acid, but ends with a bitter note and a slightly rough tannic edge.
August 31, 2017 - Served blind - sweet funk nose with plum and cherry notes. Earthy and red fruited with a bit of rusticity on the palate. Hint of spice and the strong acidity that you'd expect from the '96 vintage. Really nice wine.