Mid ruby, bricking. Given some air, then lovely. Classic really. Blackcurrant and some blackberry. Cedar. Some mild spices. Great acidity and real lively freshness. Decent length. Very elegant. Some kept for a second night didn't fare quite so well but the first night was lovely, hence 92.
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Similar to last note. This continues to drink well. Maybe further along than the last bottlei had, but this will continue to drink great for at least another 5 years.
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Stood up for 3 months, double decanted off well settled sediment. Medium-plus ruby with age-appropriate bricking; mature bordeaux aromatics with some blackberry, capsicum, some forest floor, slight graphite; palate is full bodied, balanced 13% alcohol, integrated tannins though still a bit drying on the back end, medium-plus refreshing acidity throughout, still some traces of blackberry and fruit but clearly transitioned to maturity with some mulch, forest floor, nice complexity; medium length finish. This is my 9th (and last) bottle of this, and it has been drinking nicely for a decade but now seems fully mature and only a slow decline ahead of it. Drink now. 92 Well balanced, but it has lost that extra gear that it used to have. I think this has already started its descent. It's also possible this bottle was more advanced, but regardless I'm glad I drank my bottles when I did. 91
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Lunch at Shane & Caroline's (Their Place, Hong Kong): Decanted for a couple of hours then re-bottled to take to lunch. Gorgeous deep garnet colour with a very small transparent meniscus. Nose is… WOW! Absolutely gorgeous warm damp earth, forest floor, cedar shingles, nutmeg, confit blackberry and blackcurrant…. absolutely mesmerising. Palate is an almost seamless segue into a gorgeous softened but still structured tannin frame with lovely fresh and bright acidity. A super combination of deep, rich but mellowed ripe blackcurrant and blackberry with a gorgeous forest floor, etc. tertiary backing band. Great resonance and reverberance inside the head on a very long finish. Man, this is good and has started to repay the patience of buying it en primeur. Lovely. Totally accessible now but no rush to drink.
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It was really hard work (Bentley's , London): A month since we had this last and probably we had this a dozen times over the last decade (Papies 93-94) and once again was exceptional and what an arbitrage of value vs quality. This is every old-school claret lover's dream in many respects and this 3 bottles on this occasion all performed exceptional well. Need some decanting a a good hour that we allowed them worked their magic. As classic and elegant as it gets, leather, earthy, cedar, soft spice. Alive across and albeit well secondary fruit still the energy and vitality of a golden oldie are there. Long live 1996 St Juliens! A Superb 94 from us and frankly maybe even more if adjusted for price.
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Took to a wine lunch and I thought it WOTD out of about 6 whites, 6 reds, including Bdx from Montrose, Cos, and La Confession, though it did have a bit more age on it. Classic mature Bordeaux with ample leather, pipe tobacco, tilled earth, dried cassis, relaxed tannins. Quite pleasurable.
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Truffle Night at The Papies (The Papies, Elizabeth St, London): An arbitrage of a wine. Quality vs price Lagrange from great vintages perform and punch so much higher than their price tag. We opened and left it to rest and we did not feel it needed more agitation to get it to full stride. Earthy, well evolved, not fully mature but will be in the next 5-6 years so we feel like this is one to start drinking more and more as it felt as such. Earthy, tobacco, cedar, super classic and elegant nose, healthy and very much alive wine and will put a smile on every classic Bordeaux lovers face. Did for us. 93 , easy
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Dark, translucent ruby colour! An intense nose of red peppery fruits, a hint of aged oak cask! Pure and simple grilled peppery fruits on the palate, rather smooth, drinking very nicely now! I have to be truly honest, I expect a little bit more! Especially from vintage 1996
From magnum and side by side with a Sociando-Mallet, same year and also magnum I vaguely recall that they were owned by the same family maybe in the 1850s (hence the pairing). Hard to tell them apart in the end - the SM needed some more time to come together though. Both beautifully integrated, still lots of fruit. Easily another 10+ years for each of these.
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Stored in a cold cellar since release. Fill just below cork. Deep colour. Well balanced though on the lighter side. Black fruits cassis. Possesses the finesse of St Julien but does seem to have much of a future. Drink within five years.
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Bordeaux Wimps June 2023 - 1945 (La Trompette): '96 left bank is still performing so well. Still a hint of green that gives it freshness, some black fruit and a kind of savoury finish. Some discussion at the table as to whether brett is there. I think there may be some, but this is totally within bounds for me - there is certainly just a whiff of animale, but of the type that invites excitement rather than revulsion.
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Give it some air, it developes beautiful tertiary notes of wet wood, spices, herbs, pepper, tobacco. Can't stop sniffing. Same notes on the light palate, just a little bit of cherry coming through. Acidity is very pronounced, a little bit too much for me, so palate can't match the impression of the nose. Very classical left side bdx. Nose is a 94, palate a 90 for me.
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Bordeaux 2023-05-21 (Château Lagrange): Dinner Chateau Lagrange Very good but maybe a bit too much of soy and bouillon notes. Tasted side by side with the 1986 which had no sign at all of soy/bouillon so it felt much fresher and younger.
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Again Lagrange shows it’s value This has some serious structure. Really lovely now and likely will continue to show well for 5-10 years. There is a lot of tannin so if the fruit holds up this will be better in 3-5.
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Three flawed bordeaux reds (Tilia): Three Bordeaux enthusiasts meet for dinner, and all three Bordeaux wines are flawed the same way? I think these were. All three decanted 1-2 hours, put back into the bottle, and then I drank about 1/3rd of each bottles over 3 hours.
1995 Château Léoville Poyferré - St. Julien 1996 Château Lagrange (St. Julien) 2000 Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte
The Lagrange was mine, I'd had it a couple years ago with a 1 hour decant and it was gangbusters. Tonight, some bordeaux nuance on the nose, and the palate is slightly sour and forgettable. Same with the other 2, the Leoville was the most sour, such that the owner had brought a backup and seemed concerned. At the very beginning, I got a distinct but light whiff of nail polish. These weren't obviously flawed, not corked, but they didn't show the way that they should. I'm leaving them unscored and likely flawed with volatile acidity. If I had to score them, they'd probably be 88-89.
Funny but under these circumstances, my starter white, an inexpensive Condrieu, was clearly wine of the night. And no one brought a Sauternes. So sad.
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Charming nose of sweet, fragrant, creamy vanilla red fruits with a hint of sweet minerals! Opaque ruby in colour! The palate is rich and sweet, minerals driven, drinking very nicely now!
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moderate bouquet, but intense/packed: tart cherry, sliced pepper, mild oxidation, tobacco. intensifies significantly with 1+ our air
palate: good balance/tension between savory and rich fruit. medium plus acid. tannin is merely textural right now. iron/raw meat. youthful/perky quality to the fruit. absolutely delicious
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Another fine bottle of 1996 Lagrange with my girl/lady. 27 years later, we are still married and still love drinking old wine together with dimmed lights. What else can you ask for? As fans of this wine know, this is just a classic, classic Bordeaux that drinks way above its price point. It drank like a baby Mouton last night, with its cedar laden earthy goodness and class, with a strong bouquet of clay infused night flowers and potpourri. A long, dry, tannic finish the had us both repeating the same old words that all of us old wine lovers repeat over and over...."its still young"
Drink this...You can't miss. At full throttle after 60 minutes and maintained weight till the last drop.
A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (57%), Merlot (36%) Petit Verdot (7%). Aged for approximately 20 months in oak barriques (approx. 50% new). 13% alcohol. Tasted blind.
Quite deep dark cherry-red color with quite little translucency. The nose is quite textbook aged Bordeaux nose with a little bit of bretty funk; there are aromas of leather saddle, ripe blackcurrants, some leafy herbaceous notes, a little bit of barnyard and earth, light notes of tobacco, a vegetal hint of cooked bell pepper, a woody touch of pencil shavings and a bright, crunchy whiff of fresh cranberries. The wine is dry, juicy and enjoyably savory on the palate with a medium body and focused flavors of leather and tobacco, some wizened blackberry tones, light bretty notes of horse stables, a little bit of leafy greenness, light earthy notes and a hint of gravelly minerality. The overall feel is firm and balanced, thanks to the high acidity and ample yet ripe and nicely resolved tannins that feel textural and gentle rather than tough and grippy. The finish is dry, juicy and crunchy with long, complex flavors of fresh redcurrants and more evolved nuances of wizened blackcurrants, some bretty notes of new leather and farmhouse funk, light gravelly mineral tones, a little bit of ferrous blood, an autumnal hint of damp leaves and sous-bois and a touch of earth.
A very harmonious, complex and classically built claret with all the pieces in correct places. The wine is in a beautiful spot right now, but it shows no signs of decline and based on the intensity of the fruit, I wouldn't be surprised if the wine continued to improve for years more. Drink or keep. Tasting this blind, there were no questions whether this was or wasn't Bordeaux - everyone went immediately to Bordeaux with this. Based on its somewhat evolved overall quality and pretty old-school herbaceous notes, I guessed that this must be early-to-mid 1990's. The somewhat obvious ripeness of the fruit and the overall intensity and quality made me think of 1996, so I went with that one. I had no idea which château this was, but for the appellation I guessed Saint Julien just based on a hunch. All correct.
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PnP. Savory nose. Wild dill, dried cherry, espresso grounds, and cassis. Medium body on the palate with medium acidity and medium tannin. This is drinking well and will continue to do so for the next 5-10 years most likely. Solid and reliable as Lagrange has proven to be form the 90s.
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Charming St. Julien sweetness in the nose, well structured, with generous toffee, roast aromas, plum and chocolate, but a bit of acidity in the background. Drink now and over the coming 3 years.
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Good, still holding fine, but a bit angular. Lots of iron, just maybe a bit under-fruited at this point. Just a bit sour. Good mouth feel, texture. Round dark fruit.
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P&P, medium colour with slight amber rim forming. Dark fruits on the nose but palate was not balanced, more acidity than fruit. It improved after an hour but not to where I had expected. Previous experiences have been better so maybe just this bottle
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|Decanted for a good hour and served. Ironically Andreas who tried this blind went down the mid 90s cote rotie path given the smoky and herby side of the wine.. A humbling experience especially given this is among his favorite wines. Once again an arbitrage of quality and price . Well evolved very elegant and with such a pretty nose. A superb wine
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STill some tannin but approachable, black cherry, plum, with some vanilla oak notes. Sweet fruit but balanced, not the most complex claret, but satisfying in a straightforward manner. B+
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PNP. Didn't get a lot of time with this but dark fruits and in the zone. Tannins a little more prominent than the '96 Montrose we had before it which was a better wine but this is certainly a great value and drinking well. A-
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Echoing my notes from 3 years ago, this is holding up quite well. The fruit is still prominent and it’s just a purely delicious wine. There’s still plenty of structure and a brightness that keeps this youthful. Will it improve from here? Hard to say but it’s got a long life ahead. Drink now for the fruit and hold for the nuance.
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This terrific wine is at peak, and seems to be staying there for several years to come. Some very marginal bricking, damp cellar on the nose but wonderfully fresh tertiary flavour. Everybody liked it, including my youngest son Sam, who is not easily pleased when it comes to red wines. This, fairly humble, classified left banker indicates how terrific the better wines (like LLC etc.) from this vintage will be one day. The 1996s are still a buy.
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Finally Lagrange 1996 is here. Generous cedar dominated bouquet, the palate is dense and full bodied in a nicely resolved fashion, a forceful mixture of cedar and cassis, very St Julien, green pepper, fresh and a tad sweet pea pod flauvors (but no vegetality), cigar box, lively and a lot of things going, gum drying tannins but clearly enough fruit and fresh acidity to bring balance. An unnecessary comparison but this vintage of Lagrange seriously rivals Left Banks of higher pedigree and gets left behind only in terms of highest levels of complexity and refinement. The 1996 is fresher than the 1990 which has lower acidity and riper fruit and feels a bit more complex, this is better that the enjoyable and good 1995, at this point the 1996 drinks clearly better than the still developing 2000 but eventually the younger vintage will catch up and only time will tell what is the pecking order among these two. This is probably at the peak of its drinking curve but will last on this level for many years. This beauty is as good as they say - or even better.
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Superb intensity in the early stages after the POP, but muddling up within an hour. Has a beautiful touch of Brett, as if a price-winning horse walked by the gambrels of the cedars and beautiful, rich fruity youth of this magnificent wine. Mjuff!
In the mouth, we encountered nerve and intensity on top of the concentration that is breathtaking. At this rather adolescent stage, we especially enjoyed fresh red berries that keep poppin' and boppin'. As a red fruit wine, we are quite convinced that this wine has much more to give as it continues to develop.
No need in drinking this rascal just yet, just hold your horses. As delicious as it is today, further patience will be greatly rewarded.
I give it only 93 today but am quite sure this vintage is destined towards the 96+ Echelon.
Keep on keeping on!
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Ruby with tawny edges. Nose has some funk but there’s violets and cedar alongside black fruits. The palate has lovely sweet black fruits with a beautiful balance which ensures this wine glides around the mouth, coating it with sweetness and bright acidity with tertiary flavours of forest floor and leaf compost.
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Crimson in color. 13% ABV. Gorgeous nose of red fruits, wet leaves, cedar and leather. Medium body with with supple fruit and polished tannins. Exceedingly approachable. Currants, cassis, plums and tobacco on the palate. Tremendous length on the finish. Fantastic Lagrange that has aged brilliantly. Much better than a '95 earlier this year. Best over the next 2-4 years but there is really no reason to wait.
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Medium-deep ruby with age-appropriate bricking; elegant, classic bordeaux nose with cassis, bell pepper, forest floor; palate is full bodied, elegant fully integrated tannins, medium-plus acidity, balanced low alcohol (13%?); finish is medium-plus length. Really lovely, in line with my previous bottles. Drink up as this is fully ready. 92-93
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Haven't had one of these in many years. Lovely sweet fruit, very classic, and charming. A low 90's claret for points people. I liked it and look forward to drinking more.
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Another superb performance of this beautiful wine and is easily one of the best value for money wines we know. Classic , elegant and drinks superbly especially if like us one is a lover of old school well aged left bank. Herby, leathery with still healthy albeit well evolved fruit. Always puts a smile on our faces and happy we recently bought a few more. Superb once again 93-94 and will last easily another 10 years and continue to evolve and deliver.
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Charming St. Julien sweetness in the nose, well structured, with generous toffee, roast aromas, plum and chocolate, but a bit of acidity in the background. Drink now.
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Beautiful wine. Slight browning, medium to full body, wonderful dark fruit with secondary and teriary notes, smoke, oak, saddle leather, smooth,sweet tannins, balance and finesse. A very fine wine at its peak.
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Decanted and poured. Deeper ruby with minimal bricking; nose is intensely aromatic with complex forest floor, blackberry, capsicum, black currant, balanced and fresh on the nose; palate is full bodied, fully integrated smooth medium tannins, intense medium-plus to high acidity that provides lift to the palate, black fruits more in the background, plenty of capsicum; finish is medium length. Incredible nose which is classic mature bordeaux, palate is a bit higher toned right now, but I suspect it will settle down a bit with some air. Length isn't as long as a first growth but is very respectable. This is an intensely pleasurable bordeaux, consistent with my past bottles (if slightly more acid-driven than I remember those). 93 2 hours decanted: Acid is a bit more integrated, but certainly still qualifies as acid-driven. Has some mature notes as above, but certainly not only mature notes... still plenty of fruit. Lovely, lovely now but certainly will go at least a few more years.
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1996 Bordeaux (Piccolino, Liverpool Street Stn, London): Dark to mid red fruit and a touch of green pepper. Again, similar on the palate. Red fruited with a pinch of green pepper. Very together. A richness and an extra layer of density cf previous flight. The right balance between propriety and fun. ****1/2
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I scored this magnum a point higher than the 750ml I sampled a couple of months ago. Decanted 2 hours prior, dominant notes of cherries, lead pencil, humus & mocha followed by fully integrated silky-smooth tannins ending on a very long finish. This bottle seemed ripper and didn’t have any of the vegetal notes compared to my previous bottle. I’m noticing that magnums are the way to go for long term aging. At its peak drinking window where it will hold another 10 years.
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Decades of 6 (67 Pall Mall, London): Opened and left to rest for a good 30 minutes. Decanting advisable. Funny trying this along the 1986 Talbot (Papies 93-94) and this is in a way the 10yr younger of the other and much like it another arbitrage is price vs quality and experience in the classic Bordeaux style. This is our 12th TN on it over 7 years and always performs. Nice fruit still, good earthy side , vibrant and elegant. Solid 93 once again and easy 10yrs in the tank here.
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Very likeable as usual (see previous notes) wonderfully fresh and satisfying, on the margin this bottle was just a touch light on the fruit vs acidity.
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Decanted for two hours. Cork was dried out and broke in half but the wine was very fine inside. Tasted blind alongside four other clarets. Dark core with aging rim. Nose of tertiary aromas such as menthol, forest floor, earth, barnyard, spearmint and a hint of brett. Soft sweet blackcurrant fruit, lots of graphite and pencil which made me assume, in correctly, it was a Paulliac. Despite its age tannins are still present, a beautiful wine which was picked as a top wine on the night against opposition which included Pichon Longueville Comtesse Lalande and Lynch Bages, both from '02
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Decanted for one hour. Colour is ruby with a pronounced brick edge. Floral, elegant, red cherry, fresh, young. To taste it’s soft and easy when first tasted but there’s lots of power on the mid palate where the blackberry and red cherry, savoury, earthy and mushroom flavours too comes to the fore with a very long finish. Wonderful.
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Really enjoyed this mature Lagrange. Explosive notes of sweet cherries, tomato vines, hummus, smoke and mocha. Silky smooth and at its plateau where it will hold another 5 years, drink up.
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Wonderful example of well aged Bordeaux. Beautiful nose , multidimensional, with secondary and tertiary notes. Medium to full bodied, great balance, smooth tannins, long finish. Delightful wine.
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Deep ruby, less bricking than expected for its age; medium-plus aromatics, cedar, tobacco, mature but not at all overly mature; palate is full bodied, tannins present but well integrated, red currants, really noticeable and enjoyable medium-high acidity that gives the wine real freshness, some minerality and crispness; medium length mouthwatering finish. Really lovely, consistent with my last few bottles. At maturity but with a decade ahead of it. 92-93
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Consistent 92-93 once again in this 12th time we have had this over the last 6 years. and we have another 16 to go. If one looks for lovely, classic old school quality claret this is it. and at 60£ or so worth every bit of its money.
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Alas, my last bottle from the case. This was not the best from the case though, so if you have these, I would suggest drinking up. They seem to be just at the end of their plateau or slightly past. Double decanted for 30 minutes and consumed over two hours. Some bricking that I hadn’t noticed in the last bottle. Still a lovely, gamey, and sweet StJ that provided a great experience alongside a prime rib.
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From memory... Decanted and consumed over the course of the meal. Did not reach the heights of the previous bottles tasted, though not flawed. This bottle was very secondary/tertiary and lacked a sense of fruit present. Very earthy, flint and smoke, with a tremendous amount of sediment thrown. Definitely lacking freshness and any sense of excitement from this example.
I’m going to say this was not a representative bottle of where this wine is right now, but will likely open another soon to find out.
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Audozed for three hours prior to popping. Cork came out intact. Dark ruby red with a lighter rim. No browning. Raspberry, blackberry, red apple, cigar box, cassis, with some cooked fruit but not overripen. To the contrary, this shows the classic structure of the ‘96 vintage. The tannins are rounded now but they are still perceivable, acidity is medium plus, the fruit is still fresh and the wine is very alive. The finish is long and enchanting. This is probably the best vintage I’ve tried of this wine and I’m looking forward to my last bottle maybe five to ten years down the road. I am sure it will be glorious.
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Chateau Lagrange Dinner (Harvard Club, Back Bay): Raspberry, red apple peel, cedar, leather, a touch horsey from faint brettanomyces. Medium bodied, moderately long finish. Double decanted about 3 hours prior to consumption. This is lovely and classically St. Julien but doesn't have the depth, purity, or focus that the Bordes-era wines do.
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Dekantert 2,5 t. Blyantspiss, solbær og ceder. Medium kropp på munnfølelsen. Pent avrundet. Mangler litt finesse i frukten, litt endimensjonal. Medium og tørr avslutning. Ble mye medium her, men vinen er bedre nå enn for 5 år siden. Klassisk og drikker bra nå! (90+)
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Dinner at Home; 3/10/2019-3/17/2019 (Home, Millbrae): Stood up for 2 weeks and double decanted. Clear medium ruby, age appropriate bricking; high intensity aromatics, classic aged Bordeaux with integrated blackberry, forest floor, slight capsicum, balanced aromas; palate is medium bodied, medium alcohol (13%?), medium to medium-plus acidity; medium finish. Lovely classic fully mature Bordeaux, ready to drink. 92-93
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Drank with Lunzer at 67. Engrossed in conversation I did not pay attention, I only remember that it was delicious and that I was surprised at how young this bottle tasted.
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A lovely textbook StJ at the apex of maturity. One hour decant and this is superb. Still fresh, but the tertiary flavors Bdx lovers enjoy are clear and present. Medium body, round, and pure. I could drink this all day long. My curiosity wants to hold my last bottle for another decade, but what’s the point?!?! This is perfect now.
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Excellent bottle. Surprisingly fresh and pure, with hints of herbs, pine and leather, ample acidity and a lingering finish. Nicely balanced. Shows no signs of fading.
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Almost a year since we tried this last and this remains a stunning wine, outright but even more so on a relative basis. Decanted for a good half hour and post that the wine was singing. Our friend James (and master taster) who had this blind said “ I can smell the Cabernet from 2 meters”. And the wine is indeed that, open and classic, dark fruited, herby, peppery, leather, cigar box and of course a forest floor undertone. Healthy on the palate still juicy fruit. A treasure for lovers of classic Bordeaux fans. 93
Initial floral notes quickly evolved into earthy notes of mushrooms, leather, coffee and forest floor. Beautiful mature tannins with dark berries and spices leading to a long smooth finish. Amazing structure still present, amazing legs! Served with Fettuccine Black Truffle Alfredo!
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I concur with ralstenm and thank him for sharing this exquisite bottle with me. See his note below. Paired with black truffle fettuccine Alfredo, this wine exhibitted mild red fruit notes with more prevalent notes of wild mushroom, coffee, and dark earth. The finish was long and elegant with medium soft tannins punctuated by a touch of spice that lingered effortlessly. A very lovely experience and great pairing.
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Une confrontation entre un 1995, droit et tannique, face à un 1996 plus rond et aimable.
1996: Un nez de tabac et de cèdre, une belle bouche suave, savoureuse et d’un équilibre idéal. Très beau. 91 pts
1995: nez de cèdre, plus droit et puissant, encore tannique,même un peu dur, avec de l’amertume. C’est bon, mais à plus de 20 ans, j’espèrerais davantage d’harmonie. 88 pts
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Rich, concentrated Bordeaux that has plenty of tannin on the back end but with enough time in the decanter this is a pleasure to drink. Will improve, and only a slight drying finish is the worry. A-
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93,93,93,93,93 in the past and the foreseeable future. Lovely mature Bordeaux that would score 96 if it didn't go flat towards the end. Aromatics are out of sight. If I was not allowed to drink the bottle, I would have sniffed it out as a 96/97....Drink, don't hold.
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Shared a glass with Alex. Nose of barnyard, grilled bell black berry, black cherry, and pepper, same on the palate, big body, the barnyard and pepper make this an exciting wine to enjoy tonight, mouth filling fruit, at it's best so time to enjoy if you own it, and a long, flavorful finish and aftertaste.
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A fully mature left bank Bordeaux, displaying everything that is so special when it has evolved through all its stages. The nose is musty with old leather, cedar, and dark berry fruits. The tannin has fully resolved and the finish is good. Whilst an extremely enjoyable wine it is lacking depth and complexity, with the finish a little unbalanced. After the excellent 2000, it is certainly the best drinking Lagrange at present, and it demonstrates that how enjoyable even an average/good Bordeaux can be if patience is shown. There is no rush to drink this if it is stored correctly, and minimum decanting time is needed.
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PnP. Garnet edge, ruby core. Dark cherry and blackberry fruit, garrigue, On the palate this is still tight. Tannins are still prevalent and there’s enough fruit and acidity to make me think this will age for at least a decade. Probably worth waiting a few more years for it to relax but it’s pretty damn good at the moment.
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Double decanted, tasted right away. Medium-ruby, with age-appropriate bricking; nose is aromatic, green capsicum, slight spice, blackberry, complex; palate is medium-full bodied, balanced medium acidity, low-medium alcohol (13%), fully mature black fruits, integrated but still present medium-plus tannins; medium to medium-long finish. A classic fully mature Bordeaux, at its peak, with a few years of plateau ahead of it, just a tad bit behind my last bottle. A great value at release. 93 Day 2: Not as good, a bit more stewed fruits and less character. Drink on day 1.
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W steak from grill - JH and Roosje here. Very good, still fresh, good length and mostly balance. Had this next to a 2002 Smith Haut Lafitte which the others thought was better. I didn’t.
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Took this to Josh & Ana's house for Josh's 34th Bday. We ran into some electrical issues about 2/3rds of the way to completing the steaks. All of the steaks had a fairly rare center so we interrupted dinner and fired up the outdoor gas grill. This plus concern around restoring power to the kitchen appliances makes me somewhat unsure about my assessment. If, pushed, I'd give it 90pts. I think I can safely say I had hoped for more. It felt and tasted fairly youthful and lacking some expected complexity. Structure was fully resolved and there was a hint of tobacco but no signs for tertiary mushroom, forest floor nor earthiness. Drank pretty much like and 04 BDX. Decanted it for 2 hours prior to back into the btl and removed cork for another hour prior to serving at Ana's & Josh's. Doubt it deserved more than 92pts under perfect conditions.
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Another great bottle from this year/producer. A fully mature, very typical St Julien. More about finesse than power. Medium body. Velvety tannins. The fruit continues to emerge for a few hours after decanting, so I would guess we still have a few years in the peak window. The fruit is not as vibrant as it was a year ago though. Don’t hesitate now. Don’t miss this beauty strutting her stuff.
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Saturday night at The Papies ( Eurovision & Fuego dinner) (The Papies, Elizabeth St, London): Decanted for a good hour and this wine continues to perform consistently and we would list it under the arbitrage of price to quality for people who like us love classic well aged Bordeaux. Well secondary, earthy, truffle touches and actually went superbly with a truffle dish. Soft but wit a presence, good silky tannin and just beautiful to be enjoyed now. Solid 92-93 again
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Chateau Lagrange dinner (Blacksalt, Washington DC): Medium expressive nose displaying cassis, a hint of cherry and plum, eucalyptus, strong mint, lead pencil and earth. Medium concentration, subtle cassis and red currant driven palate impression, bright acidity, a hint of dry tannins and a medium to long subtle black fruit driven finish. Another wine that nicely reflects the vintage. A bit like an old school claret from the 70s.
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Small pour at a Bordeaux tasting. Wine was decanted for one hour. This was my number 3 choice, running a distant third from the 1990 Pichon Lalande and the 2009 Le Bon Pasteur (both which I rated 95), but clearly ahead of the rest of the field of red Bordeaux wines. I think this wine offers a solid value, but I would rather pay a little extra and get the Pichon. Ironically, I think both wines are in the same spot of their drinking window, i.e., drink them sooner than later, but both will hold for a couple more years at least. I would speculate that the Pichon will actually outlive the Lagrange. Nevertheless, this was typical St Julien, with a nose of cherry, berry and sweet jasmine. On the palate, it was integrated red and black fruit with hints of forest floor, anise and tart cherry. It was a pleasure to drink, and would stand out by itself or with food. The tannins were a little more pronounced that with the top two wines, but were also integrated and fairly smooth. a slight touch of alcohol, but not enough to be annoying. This was a solid Bordeaux wine that is drinking well now.
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Bordeaux by Joe (Jason's house): Decanted an hour. This seemed like classic Lagrange. It was fully mature and slightly rustic. There was funk, forest floor, damp earth, cedar, black currant. I may have to look for more of this wine.
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Quick hit: the is really good and is finally starting to live up to the promise it showed when younger.
I opened this yesterday and enjoyed half of the bottle. It showed a wildly herby, zesty, green bouquet. I loved it, but would give the pyrazine-phobic an instant aneurism. The palate was much less rewarding, showing quiet lean and bright. It needed food.
I froze the 2nd half of the bottle and thawed it for dinner tonight, and is this really good now. The nose has morphed from shrubbery to more classic tobacco, green peppercorns, and earthy notes, there’s even some sweeter whiffs of cherry and lavender. But the palate has really transformed, fleshing out substantially with good midpalate chew and a pleasing sweetness. There’s excellent brightness and plenty of character, this is in an early maturity phase for my palate. Not a blockbuster to be sure, but this is a very encouraging showing for both the Lagrange (which is probably a somewhat earlier maturing Grand Cru Left Bank, for the vintage) and where the 96s may end up in general.
That all said, I am increasingly convinced that while the 96 Left Banks will be glorious when fully mature, they will mostly be on the leaner, aromatic, old school end of the things compared to other top years, offering the best of their charms with aromatic expressiveness, freshness and complexity. The best of the best will have the palate power and depth to back up the aromatic fireworks and turn into legends, but this isn’t like your 82, 86, 89, 90, 05, 09 or 10 vintage in terms of concentration. I’m starting to wonder if something like the underrated 2001 vintage is a good comparison for the 96s?
Plums and cedar on the nose, with a fresh, crisp attack of dark cherry and blackcurrant, before a rising middle section of blueberry and plum and a decent finish, marred only by telltale notes of redcurrant and cranberry which hint that the end is not too far away.
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Vinetasters: 1996 Bordeaux (Skokie, IL): Served double blind in a flight of 1996 Bordeaux. The nose here shows a bit of plumminess that is just alluring. This strikes me as a wine that is a little more fleshy than the ones before it. The palate is softer, with more of a gentle character. It feels a little simplistic on the back end as well. The tannins are more resolved; this seems to be one that is ready for current consumption. My 4th, group's 4th.
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3 hour decant and wine and pretty open when taken to dinner. Fruit still quite present and tannin mostly resolved. I can't say this entirely sang with dinner but the initial tastes post decant were delicisou. I certainly don't think properly stored bottles are pas their prime...I would think they are just hitting it right about now with years to go
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3/4. Excellent cork, decanted 1/2 hour. Deep garnet core, pale garnet rim. Attractive, developed, cedary, minerally nose - quite dark-fruited. Touch of beef. Medium bodied, sleek, minerally black fruit to the fore, decent depth of fruit covering the firm, fineish tannins, fresh acidity, a very good length minerally finish. Upright, classic, correct and none the worse for that. Good for at least another 10.
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This was another strong showing for this wine - decanted for 3 hours and then drank over around 1 hour, it did continue to get better and better and was at its best at the very end. Very healthy dark ruby color, displaying the classic structure of the 96 vintage with a streak of acidity - got more generous as time passed by. My second favorite vintage of Lagrange after the incredible 1990. This was clearly better then the 2000 served alongside.
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Drank from my cellar at 67 Pall Mall. This was the best bottle I have ever had of this wine. Silky smooth with great intensity and depth. Reminds me that "bottle variation" can describe something positive on occasion.
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Dinner with the wine group (The Perennial, SF): Beautiful, beautiful nose, graphite, balanced fruit, slight bell pepper; really balanced, medium-plus finish. Lovely wine, fairly consistent with my last note but just showing really classic St. Julien today. Has 10 years ahead of it. 93-94
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This a great wine in a great spot. The color is still vibrant and a lovely hue of garnet. The nose is classic St Julien, wreaking of cedar, leather, and other tertiary notes, and no graphite to be found. Clearly StJ.
The fruit is upfront and still lively right upon opening, and then evolves for a few hours. There is some mintiness and pepper helping to provide lift to this savory wine. Cheers!
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In a really nice spot. Lovely BDX nose with a strong earthy and leathery profile. Nicely matured, sweet red fruits on the palate, with a healthy dose of green pepper tartness to freshen things up the palate. nothing profound here, but a solid BDX experience from a wine that's squarely in the zone.
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A year since we tried it last and with a few observation points over the last 4 years (92-93 range ) and this showed what a great wine and understated value Lagrange is. We even chose not to decant as we felt it did not need any help. Still very much alive and still full of fruit. Felt a lot younger on the fruit side than a 1996 especially comparing it with Pontet Canet 96 (Papies 92_) we had side by side. Such a great wine and in this 8th tasting we have had of it remained consistent. 93+
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Nose of barnyard, grilled bell pepper, black berry, black currants, saddle leather, and black cherry, same on the palate, big body, the barnyard and bell pepper drive the wine tonight, tasty, mouth filling fruit, and a long, flavorful finish and aftertaste.
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Crimson in color. 13% ABV. Stunning nose of red fruits, cigar box, leather and pencil shavings. Lush, rich and elegant. Medium body with moderate acidity and resolved tannins. Cherries, plums, currants and iron on the palate. The finish is long and silky. Just a gorgeous bottle of Bordeaux that is aging beautifully. Hard to imagine this wine gets better from here but well stored bottles will drink well for another 2-4 years.
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Still appears youthful in the glass. Bell pepper overwhelms the fruit, but there are still some sexy flavors going on here. Is in a nice place at the moment but I'd wait another 5 years to let it develop more intriguing characteristics.
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This is one of the best price quality ratios you get in Bordeaux!
Pops of to eucalyptus, menthol, pencil shapings, meat and a dusty chesterfield chair. Magical!
This is prime drinking at the moment at top of the peak. But one is never static, so it would be fun to drink in 20 years time and see the development!
Drink now or hold for another decade
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Pnp and left in glass for half an hour. Still right in its drinking window, fresh but also mature with some tertiary notes, will not improve from here but should stay at this level for a few years but no more. 92-93
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Cork completely disintegrated despite my best efforts which had my fearing the wine was in a fragile state, but thankfully not - still drinking very well and a decent amount of fruit (blackberries)for such and old Bordeaux. Quite acidic and tannic still, decent amount of Brett.
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Nice well-aged Bordeaux at a good spot in its drinking window. It provided all of the dark fruits, earthiness, and cigar box that I would expect... but was a little heavier than expected on the green vegetation. Body-wise, it was right on with a medium-full body, nice smooth tannins, and still enough acidity to keep it fresh. All-in-all, quite good, but not great due to the green undertones. www.vincrush.com
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Green pepper, a touch of nuttiness, gravel, with still plenty of bright acid and reddish fruit. Good depth. Medium plus finish. Tasted blind, guessed L bank.
Certainly more depth and transparency with this compared with Leoville Poyferre from the same vintage, but less concentration and finish not as good. But again way more depth. Way more drinkable.
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WineLA event: Bordeaux vs. Cabernet tasting (Los Angeles, CA): Tasted blind. Brown bricking with sediment. Nose is that good ole barnyard funk, and some almonds. This is actually quite big on the palate, compared to the other old bordeaux. Lots of secondary flavors coming out on this one.
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Classic mature Bordeaux notes, good amount of fruit and richness to it. Elegant wine. Definitely in a nice spot for drinking. Needed 30 min or so to blow off some funk.
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Generous and open on the nose. Ripe fruit, grilled herbs, spices, tobacco, smoke. Well integrated tannins providing structure without being obtrusive. Fine fruit, nice acidity. Well balanced and rather long. Drinking very well, but no rush. 91-93
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If you are compelled to save for a few more years, I would guess there is at least five years left in the plateau...maybe more. The color is still vibrant, the fruit still fresh.
I have a case left, but not for long!
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Tasted blind at X-wine Competition at Chateau Figeac.
The nose was revealing hints of gravel, menthol, eucalyptus and red berries.
The palate was rather closed but developed as the glass got warmer. The gravel and meatiness evolved into a beautiful bouquet of flowers, curred BBQ, menthol and oak. Very beautiful for a wine with some age.
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Enofusión 2017; 1/23/2017-1/25/2017 (IFEMA - Madrid): Aged to perfection. It's still a fresh wine. I think it's a blast right now, but it still has a catch. On the nose, roses predominate. Tar in the mouth? There is nothing at all. It is round but soft, with a complex structure and acidity, both. I think it's one of the best sample for anyone who wants to get close to a mature Bordeaux. An accessible St Julien. As it should be.
Envejecida como toca. Tiene frescura todavía. Me parece una gozada ahora mismo aunque le queda tralla todavía. En nariz predominan las rosas. Alquitrán en boca? No tiene nada de nada. Esta redondo pero con suavidad, estructura compleja y acidez. Me parece de lo mejor para quién quiera acercarse a un Burdeos maduro. Un St Julien accesible. Como debe ser.
Popped and poured, and drank over 2 hours. Fully mature Bordeaux and in the best drinking window for me - settled, with tertiary notes, but still some oomph of fruit remaining. Will hold for 5 more years if you like more finesse and less power.
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As others have pointed out, best at about 20-30 min of air, and holds for about an hour or two. Aged just right, with good balance of fruit and secondary flavors. Very classic in style. Nose and palate dominated by red cherry licorice, sweet tobacco, and herbs. At 20 years old, great spot for drinking now and likely ok over the next few years.
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Luis Tilia WTDS plus Happy Birthday to Gary and Me (Tilia): Decanted 40 minutes, then brought to a tasting and shared with 7 others. This is old-school Bordeaux through-and-through, including it's rather lackluster palate compared to the spectacular nose. Some fruit left, but not much. Mostly secondary and tertiary qualities.
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It has aromas of camphor, blue fruits, flowers, plums, cedar, leather and cassis. This was pure elegance on the layered longilinear yet concentrated and opulent 1996 style blue fruited palate with cedary hints. Ends long, aristocratic and flowery. This has understated opulence and wonderful balance. Can be kept for a long time.
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1996 Bordeaux Blind: Lovely nose, minty and menthol. Ferns. Some cinnamon with raspberry and blueberry underneath. Good palate, juicy flavor, balance, and that same tingling mint through a high acid finish. Technically very good.
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Took a good 30 minutes of decanting to get into its full stride. Maybe a bit of bottle variation here this time round but a very solid 92-93 performance in line with our previous 7 (yes seven) encounters over the last 3 years. This continues to perform well and is as we usually say an arbitrage in quality vs price. 92
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Bravo. Decant for half hour max otherwise the fruit will dissipate and balance lost. At this stage the Tannins are fine, sour fruits blossoming. Suggest couple of years left to drink at (near) its best.
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Bordeaux Wimps (La Trompette, Chiswick): Mature, cedary, gently savoury, black and red berry fruit, touch of earth, very fine tannins, good length finish. Very good indeed. ***
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mid red no brown. Mid weight nose developing secondary aromas. Very elegant fruit and cedar, mid weight at first followed by a burst of flavour , but all in balance. Very good wine
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This wine had stiff competition this evening being "wedged" in between a wonderful Clerc Milon 1990 and a Las Cases 1990. Very very slight TCA, which was so mild that I will discount this entirely and certainly this is an issue with this particular bottle... Great wine, which was looking incredibly youthful, stark in contrast of colour to a ruby Clerc Milon (the Clerc Milon I though looked youthful for a 26 year old, but then comes along this 20 year old that looks like a 5 year old). Very nice fruit showing the longer the wine got air (decanted for 1.5 hours prior to tasting, ideally give this 5 hours before consuming). This wine will last another 2 decades and will reach full maturity in around 5+ years. Definitely one to seek out at a reasonable price. Not as good as the 1990 Lagrange, but still a winner!
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Just like in 2014, this takes until day 2 to hit its stride. At this point, it showcases classy, sweet cabernet fruit with distinct notes of smoky poblano pepper, mint, and incipient cedar. Beautiful bouquet. Only medium bodied with excellent brightness and grip, the tannins could use a few more years to soften out. This was a bit disappointing on day 1, overly weedy and thin, but day 2 shows what this beautiful northern Medoc wine can do in a strong year. 92-93 pts.
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Fully mature and showing quite well with its tobacco, cigar box, cedar, leaf and cassis charms, there is nice, spice and fresh component in the finish giving it lift and length. The wine was produced from a blend of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot and 7% Petit Verdot.
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From magnum this is young but approachable, cassis and tobacco (both cured and green), some tannins but rather smooth ones, full and long. With time some more coffee/mocha notes, this is a winner. A-
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Nor formal notes, but very nice wine with dinner as commented by all. It was served well by about 45-60 minutes of decanting, but didn't need much more. Very classic aromatics of cedar, graphite, dark red fruits straight out of the gate, later picked up a bit of green pepper nose. Absolutely sauve profile with tertiary components kicking in, structure still present on the finish. Fruit profile was rich and had nice depth. Not earth shattering but absolutely a lovely bottle and great value. This feels like it's entering peak and judging by this should be staying there for a while.
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2011 I wrote: nose shows coffee, oak, mocha. Full, creamy but mature palate, full of black fruits with plenty of extract. Roasted berries, black cherry and blackcurrant fruit character. Today the wine shows the same characteristics ... but with more (still fresh and crispy) maturity, power and density. Still gets better year by year.
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Wowsa! Lots of cedar, dark red berries, leather & wood spice in this rich but balanced St. Julien. Seems to be at peak, still some very fine tannin, a little tar on the finish. Very nice!
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From a beautiful magnum and double decanted for like 1.5 hours. Need some aeration to develop but a good 15-20 minutes will do. Light sediment so one needs to take a bit of care.
We have commented on this wine numerous times always rating it 92-93. We continue to say that this is a gem of classic Bordeaux wine making and an arbitrage of quality vs price. A magnificent wine and must buy more. Feels at peak at this stage but with legs to last a few more years. 93+
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w veal chop. Great medium weight bdx with all the characteristics. Mature brick color but still with life. Good fruit on nose. Palate wonderful mature. This will live! Nice to have waited.
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This has everything it takes to be a good textbook mature bordeaux. The nose had some wet forest floor, wild berries, cigar box, pencil shaving and sweetness. The palate was smoothe and sweet. Although its not tremendouly complex, its drinking in an amazing window now. I would drink this now and 5 years onward. It was less powerful than 2000 Lagrange but the smootheness and elegance of this were better.
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Probably the best bottle we have had of this to date (So far we rated this 92). Decabted and served. Needs a touch of decanting to open up but not much. Glorious, classic claret full of character and elegance. Still on th efruit, yeat with an earthy, leathery side, cedar, tobacco and just excellent. A touch dry on the finish but vs price this is superb value. 93 and full of life.
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recently acquired and well worth the price - excellent Bordeaux that id drinking very well now - when initially opened it was too acidic - it needs time to open up even after decanting. After a good hour of aeration - the medium tannins and the complexity of flavor came through; a wonderful wine and an excellent companion to food and on its own.
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With some time in the decanter this is showing quite well. Cassis and black cherry, a little mocha, incipient cedar. Nice acid/tannin/fruit balance, nice length. To me this is beginning to drink well with air, no hurry. A-/B+
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I've followed this wine since its infancy, and this bottle exhibited a decline in the fruit since the last bottle six months ago. Notable decline in power since the last time. Sugarmen and MS at Racines.
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Another consistent beautiful performance. This wine remains one fo the true gems across vintages and this 1996 once again delivered. Well aged claret , probably now at peak. We have spoken at large aboput this wine and we continue to applaud it. Will buy more. Classic Claret lovers look no further for great value. Nicol 92 / Andreas 93 - 92 then as the boss always wins.
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Another chance of retrying the 96 Lagrange. Poured into decanter and drank over several hours. While this bottle tasted a tick fresher than the last one, for me this is a wine that has peaked. It's certainly not going to fall off the cliff, and intact this still has some fine but dusty tannins, I do not see enough fruit to avoid a gradual decline from here. Also slight oxidation notes emerge among the leather and tobacco after about 2h in the decanter in a warm room. Drink up
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This was lighter in color and a bit thin out of the bottle vs. a 96 Lynch Bages next to it. But with about and hour of air it really came into its own, and at 90 minutes this was very good, showing dark fruits, earth, nice body, and a long finish. The more air it had, the better it was - a steal for the price. A-/A
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Bottle in excellent condition with in neck fill and barely stained cork. PnP. Needed perhaps 30 min in the open bottle to gain weight. Initially plenty of cedar, then sous bois and dark berries on the nose. Plenty of leather and tobacco on the palate together with some remaining dark fruit. Fine to medium tannins. Medium finish. Based on these recent bottles would recommend to drink up in the next couple years as there is not much fruit left to age for much longer.
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Still nice ruby color with some lightening at the edges. Nose was initially with strong animal and meaty notes, but this softened up after an hour. Nose exhibited blackcurrant, wet earth, cedar, cinnamon, and leather. Medium bodied. Round tannins, well-integrated. Medium finish. Firm structure should make this drink well for several more years.
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This begins in a worrisome fashion, showing weedy and lean. Very different from the last time I had this, something like 4 years ago, when it was a still stolid and mute. It is now much more aromatic, with herbs and green notes, followed by a bright and thin palate... On Day 2, this pulls itself together with a fresh, intriguing bouquet of cedar, black currants and wintergreen. The palate has sweetened and deepened as well, but this is at most a medium bodied wine, with evident acidity and fading tannins. This has entered maturity, but for my money, it will probably continue to improve as Day 2 showed. 90 pts today, but it could climb into the 92 pt range in time.
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Dark, smoky with tacky oak and broad acid, mineral, iron. Long burnt oaky finish. Some herb, cedar, tar, a little lean. Early drinking window. Good but lacks panache. B
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Drukket over 2 dager. Halve flasken dekantert 2 timer på dag 1. Rubinrød med lilla innslag på farge. Åpner med tung overvekt av sedertre. Det er vanskelig å finne noe utover dette på en medium (+) intens nese. Slikt sett virker vinen ganske endimensjonal. Det pleier på bdx å ligge noe mer bak; f.eks solbær, blyantspiss eller sigarkasse. Bra syrestruktur og grei lengde. Svakt tørrende finish. Tanninene er der, men klart tilgjengelige. Noe frukt kjennes i munnen som ikke finnes på nese; de etterlengtede solbærene (cassis). Jeg ble skuffet over vinen tatt i betraktning årgang, slott og appelasjon (St. Julien). Den utviklet seg ikke positivt med mer luft utover kvelden, ble bare flatere. På dag 2 (kun luftet i flaske) er vinen litt mer positiv da den utviser ørlite mer på nese (urter bl.a) og drar på seg litt kompleksitet, uten å nå de store høyder. Passet utmerket til mat i form av biff, jordskokkpure og bearnaise samt lammegryte på dag 2. Har en flaske til, venter 3-5 år med den.
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Another great Lagrange that is supposed to be way more tired than it is. As a matter of fact, if this bottle was human, I would say she's 35! No ambering, thick and vibrant appearance..In the mouth there is no mistake that this is a an old French wine in the likes of Bordeaux and possibly a killer Cdp from the likes of Pegau. The wine had minimal sweetness of melted red fruit, cradled by old cedar, underbrush and forest mushrooms. Attractive super acidity kept things very fresh and bright...Long life ahead, though I think that it is at its close to pleasure prime, because of the lightness in fruit.
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When I first opened this I was not sure if it was correct. An hour later whatever bottle funk it had blew off, revealing a somewhat oaky, but still very engaging Bordeaux. Not terribly fruity, it showed leather, deep earth, some dark fruit but a more meaty element than fruity. It made a good match with our beef stew, and that's what really matters.
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About 2.5 years since my last bottle. This has condensed inward and lost much of its mass. It still shows red-to-black fruit like red currant, the tannins are fine and softening, and the wine is more streamlined than in the past. As it has reduced its mass, it has not yet taken on much in the way of secondary development. The structure, though, has softened, only to firm up again somewhat as the wine airs. Went very nicely with veal steaks off the bbq. Erev Rosh In New City.
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This wine is approaching prime drinking window. Needed about an hour in the glass to open up fully. Dark red and blue fruits dominate the nose with touch of spice, tobacco and cinnamon adding complexity. Moderate balanced finish. Very easy to enjoy.
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Requires a touch of decanting, 30 mins helped for sure as the wine was very tight on open. Post this it was an old school well made claret, albeit at times rustic and with a grippy tannin only 1996 could produce. Still the fruit is there, the nose opened nicely and was just the treat. Very good old school claret and very good value for money. 92 and drinks well now and with a good 10 yrs of good life in it at least.
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My Birthday Dinner (Crown Wine Cellars, 18 Deep Water Bay Drive, Shouson Hill, Hong Kong): Paired with a 1996 Ch Talbot. More purple in colour and more opaque than the Talbot. Nose is quite reticent and restrained but clear and well-delinated....still young. Palate is sharp, fresh, very alive, good acidity, medium middle, dry chalky end. Tannic and acidic but in a feminine way that bodes better for the future. Nose stayed very reticent throughout the night. Still in its truculent stage.....which I think reflects the very traditional and late-to-evolve approach at Lagrange. A lot less open than when I last drank it in 2009. The Ch. Talbot totally overshadowed it tonight.
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Showing mostly minerality on nose and in front/mid palate; some black currant still mid-palate to finish which was a little short. Still very good, but I think it is now past peak and in slight decline although it might depend on the bottle based on other reviews.
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Tuesday Night Double Blind $40+ (Bin 75): Dense core with moderate bricking, sediment; Bordeaux-yes!, funk, cedar, tobacco, gravelly soil, well drained, rusty note; dense and rich palate, noble, red currant, some tannin but obviously softer from the age; delicious, drinking great now.
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Really enjoyed this wine. Giving off great fruit with nice smooth tannins. Had at a Business Dinner along with the 95 Lagrange and numerous other Bordeaux's from various vintages. Received a few votes for Wine of the Night. Can't wait to have another bottle.
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Did not like this wine as much as a year ago, also seemed much more developed than the earlier bottle(s). High fill bottle with good cork. Poured into decanter and drank over perhaps 1.5h. Did not really need a long decant this time. Berries, sous-bois and cedar - infact a bit too much of the later for my taste. Medium finish.
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Mid-ripe wine with terrific balance, but the red fruit is jumping out (strawberry?) of the wet earth and birch. Bret on the nose like most of the mid-90s Lagrange. Not sure it justifies its premium, but awesome nonetheless.
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Tief purpurrot; intensive, funkige Noten von Tabak, Bitterschokolade, dunklen Beeren, Erde, elegant und gleichzeitig "wild at heart"; mittlerer Körper, etwas bitter, kräftige Tannine, leicht säuerlich-zehrende Note im Abgang; aber ein Bordeaux, der jetzt Spaß macht!
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Mid red classic St Julien nose with the depth and structure of the vintage. Palate even better. Now singing with classic cabernet fruit and structure with velvet touches and great mouthfeel. This is really good now and will keep.
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Pop and pour; Ruby with just a hint of bricking, still quite a youthful color but appropriate for its age; nose is classic old school bordeaux with earth, cedar, integrated red and black fruits, undertones of minerality (common in St. Julien), no overt vegetal notes but just a hint of mushroom or truffle; palate is medium-full bodied, still quite structured with juicy tannins (not dried out or harsh), good cherry and blackberry fruit, very fresh overall with good acidity, nice delineation of flavors, some clean minerality on the palate as well, moderate complexity; finish is medium-long length with some slight tobacco. This is an excellent wine with a real sense of place: has the St. Julien medium-full body but also elegance, great acidity, crisp transitions between different phases of the palate, great balance, and distinct minerality. The only thing it lacks is the little bit extra complexity and unique character that the best St. Julien chateaux have (Leoville Barton, Poyferre, etc). Still, this is excellent value and a well made wine drinking at its early window. Should drink well over the next 15 years. 92 Update: With 30 minutes of air this knits together well, a lovely wine. Nose is starting to develop some lovely vegetal character with some asparagus. Glad I have more.
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Another beautiful show. This chateau continues to deliver great value for money wines and especially this old school 1996 is such a beauty to enjoy now. Needs 30 mins of decanting, light sediment, but decenting is to help it develop. Post that it is home all the way. The colour shows the age at times. The nose is as classical bdx as it gets with , spice, cedar earthy and leathery notes ( very nice) . On the palate again old school, secondary now, but still with good st julien fruit density. Could use a bit more depth and finish but this takes nothing away. The tanins are mellow now and thus no issues here either and the wine feels well rounded. Drinks very nicely now but with decent life ahead. 92-93
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Decanted for about 45 min but needs longer to entirely open up. Garnet with some browning at the rim. Beautiful wine, reminds me of the 96 Pape Clement, same quality but even better value here. Very earthy, sous bois, spices, a little barnyard, unlike recent Lagrange vintages only a touch of cedar. Medium body with fantastic balance. Fine to medium tannis. Medium plus finish.
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Requires a bit of decanting to smooth out the edges. On the nose it screams am an old school well made bordeaux. Red fruits to start with cedar, herby, and develops secondary notes as it evolves with a lovely earthy character. On the palate it is lively, medium bodied and feels right to have now although it will last for a long time. Good value, proper wine and a chateau to look out for. We would agree that this is a smart buy.
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Eight hours slow-oxed. Nose on the light side this time, but very pleasent; black currents, gravel and distinct pencil shavings. Very intense flavours though, everything coming through in terrific harmony, finish is long, balance between fruit and acidity is great, tannins are smooth and well integrated. Again I am surprised that this is quite so good. Really great value!
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La Commanderie de Bordeaux: Chateau Lagrange Vertical (Bishop's - Vancouver, BC): A bit restrained on the nose, but with some coaxing opens up to display lead pencil, earth, rich black fruits, cedar, and some tart red cherry. Some sweet cassis on the palate, along with rich dark fruits, cedar, black pepper spice, red cherry, and saline. Moderate structure, with a medium length finish ending on notes of graphite and red cherry. Quite shy on the nose with some underlying sweetness, but full and rich on the palate. This could use a few years to flesh out and come into balance, but will improve with patience. Very good.
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Opened early in the morning and let stand all day, without decanting. Tasted alongside the 1998, which I quite like. Magnificently intense, rich nose, making the -98 seem awfully plain. Raspberries primarily, also red and black currents and just a hint of cedar wood. Fabulous balance, fruit on the attack but far from as pronounced as I expected, mid-palate follows up with fresh acidity that stays with you into the long finish when the tannins make themselves known, not yet on the retreat. It is beautiful and intense. This wine has many years ahead of it, but it is very good now, I am not going to wait.
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This was in a very nice place last night. Beautiful ruby red color with up front nose of liquorice and game. A touch of mint came through as the wine evolved in the glass. Silky smooth well integrated wine. Very enjoyable now.
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Dark ruby to the rim. Aromatic, with lots of ceder, dark fruit. Highly concentrated with perfect acidity, full body, resolved tannin, long finish. Will last another 10 years at least. Drank with rib roast mostly at cellar temp.
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Opened & decanted 2 hours before drinking. Some farmyard and straw on the nose and then good length with red fruit to taste. A top Bordeaux that went very well with the Christmas goose.
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Simply brilliant Bordeaux! Heavy concentrated kirsch in the nose and on the palate, also leather and oak. Very long finish. Will last at least another decade.
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Just coming into drinking window.Colour still hints of purple. Creamy fruit on nose some vanilla oak . Blackcurrant and cedar middleweight and lengthy finish. Good wine and may gather more excitement with time.
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W venison from the land plus squash and brussels sprouts. Yummy dinner. Wine had great color and subtle nose.very fresh on thenpalate still. Plenty of fruit maybe a bit dry on the finish but this was very good, better than i remember. Wonderful long finish and fresh berry fruit. Needs indeed some hrs of decanting.
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Yowza, this wine was firing tonight. Strong, forward palate featuring red currant, the fruit very focused and juicy. While the wine shows some softness and is approachable, the underlying structure is still firm. A very youthful showing. Perfect with filet off the grill, early spring bbq.
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Decanted 2-3 hrs. Good nose, otherwise a simple wine. On 2nd day, it opened up even more and lost the initial tannins. Again the nose was the best part.
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I've had mixed results with this wine. From memory, a mature expressive nose outdueled the experience in the mouth. Very nice but a bit hollow/austere on the mid-palate. Served with potato leek soup, pan-seared filet, and live acoustic music.
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- Ruby color with slow forming legs and aromas of tobacco and oak. It's balanced and has flavours of oak, raisin and black currant with a medium/full body. Leathery texture with a long finish.
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slow oxed all day and then corked for a week b/c I was sick on the intended nights of drinking...opened following Thursday and lovely, fairly mature Bdx with tannin fairly resolved...full fruit and some cedar and smoke..$35 in the day was a very good value..window is open...certainly no rush
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Extremely fruity, quite fresh and young. Medium body , and lovely integration of acidity and tannins. Should be drink in next few years max. One could say it is too simple - but that is very nice simplicity.
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Cassis, cigar box and pure mid life fruit droiven power. Excellent length and stunning character. Mike's 40th. Perfect foil for rack of lamb RW Jus and Dauphinoise. Plenty of tannins left- sweet and fine.
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Decant for about 2 hours, while drinking another wine, really needed this time to sharpen up and open. Most prominent character of the nose was hay (my favorite!), herbs d provencal, soil, green peppercorn, and black currant. Palate is smooth, tobacco, integrated, sweet tannins shows integrated oak. Did not find an abundance of fruit. I'll drink my last within a few years. Based on my two bottles I have tasted, I disagree with the View from the Cellar beginning drinking window and expected life of 2015-2050. Ready now.
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I last opened this wine in 2/10, while working late on ovdp. I opened this bottle as I finished a long period of ovdi work. A bit of bottle funk quickly dissipates, and the first thing I noticed was the currant fruit, red and black, dark and juicy and appealing. The palate shows a roundness of age, the tannins softening, while the fruit is front and center. This is Bordeaux as I like it, softer with age, yet still with plenty of inner fortitude. Like a well-dressed, handsome man in his 50s, mellower than when in his 20's, but still a stud. Drinking very nicely.
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Opened 2 hours before drinking & decanted. Initially tannic and vegetal to taste but opened up very well. Nose of straw and earth with with fruit coming through strongly to taste and a hint of liquorice. Good balance and length.
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Removed the cork in the morning and replaced it with a neutral cork. Served for dinner. Astonishing nose revealing tobacco, pencil lead, wet earth, creme de cassis and blueberries. On the palate it evolved through the night displaying more and more of its fruit, with a mouth-coating, perfectly balanced structure . The wine had also a very long and enticing finish. This is drinking beautifully now.
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Opened 2 hours before drinking, but left in bottle as we had no decanter on hand. Did not like the nose - something odd about it, but the flavor was delicious - dried red berries with some vegetative undertones. Medium body, surprisingly soft tannins, with a long finish.
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Very nice with grilled strip steak and veggies, aged Vermont cheddar. Slightly more advanced than I would have expected, a medium garnet red color. Expressive, developed nose that is fairly secondary (pencil, smoke, cedar). Unless this bottle was non-representative I would suggest drinking in the next 5 years.
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Nice mature bordeaux. Deep ruby; ripe red fruit on the nose with barnyard notes; med-full bodied, rich mouthfeel plush and full with earth, tobbaco leaf, and licorice. Fruit a bit too faded. Medium finish. Solid wine, quite enjoyable.
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Roasted poblano pepper, green peppercorn, slightly funky nose. Cedar, leafy tobacco, flowers on the palate. Light on fruit and long on green but pretty interesting and surprisingly enjoyable.
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nose shows coffee oak, mocha. Full, creamy but mature palate, full of black fruits with plenty of extract. Roasted berries, black cherry and blackcurrant fruit character.
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With lamb chops and asparagus. Nose very nice not too big. Nice dark berry fruit, smoke, barnyard. Beautiful color, still quite young in color. On palate this was very good medium bodied but with good Bordeaux qualities. When it was open a bit longer it came to life. The finish is very nice and prolonged. This is drink now stage though. The fruit is there but may not stay around.
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I don't know why my expectations were low, but the wine far exceeded them. The nose was bell pepper, tobacco, and cedar. The tannins were soft, and it showed dark fruit and earth. The mid palate was shallow and the finish could have been longer, but this was an extremely satsifying wine.
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I was surprised how open this showed when decanted, it closed up a bit by time it made to city, but still was drinking ok. There's still some primary fruit and oak notes, but the tannins are integrating, and I think this isn't that far from ready. Nice acids, some earth notes. B+
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A few blind wines (my place): nose: balanced and aromatic nose that screamed bordeaux with tones of cedar box, tobacco, leather, dark red cherries, dark berries and tones of cassis. Very good depth with some real class behind it
taste: very good supporting tannins that are still showing themselves provide a good backbone for the wine. Medium/full bodied with medium+ acidity and classic tones of cedar box, tobacco, dark red cherries, cassis, and pencil lead tones
overall: there was no question what this was blind. Minimal bricking and more the color was a medium ruby color. This has a long way to go, but is drinking very nicely right now as well
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Quite a bit of funk in the aroma upon opening. Decanted for approx. 1 hour before drinking, then drank over the next 2+ hours. Aroma initially had green pepper, but developed more into tobacco & leather, with a hint of coffee. Taste had some blueberry taste, as well as a hint of raspberry, along with earthiness. I would decant this for a couple hours before drinking if I had it again.
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Great bottle. Blackcurrant fruit amply supported by intense smoke, cloves, cedar, leather and tobacco. Elegant palate, savoury, depth of fruit, silken tannin and gentle spiciness on the long finish.
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Decanted 1/2 an hour. Medium/deep ruby core, pale ruby rim. Nose initially showing blackcurrant, some nice development with hints of smoke, spice and gravel. Some creamy red fruit showing too. Medium plus bodied on the palate, this is elegant and refiined, slightly gravelly fruit, more red toned than the nose, with notes of cedar and vanilla. The tannins are almost integrated and it has good depth and a good length, if not exceptionally long finish. Very good, drinking well now but it may still have a bit of improvement in it. Next bottle 2/3 years.
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I agree with a recent reviewer that this had a bit of TCA. Was noticable upon opening and then when we came back to drink it two hours later. Wine was still fine and relatively enjoyable, but really didn't have the richness and flavors I've had in other bottles. Definitely shame.
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A couple of hours in decanter and OMG, this is the real deal. Depth, complexity, balance, finish, mouth fieel...all top notch. Drinking perfectly right now. Avery fine, mature Bordeaux.
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Medium dark garnet red. Bell pepper and cedar on the medium ripe nose. Deliciously medium bodied serene yet undeniably concentrated with resolving tannins and integrating acids. This is easing into its drinking window.
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dark red color, nice complex nose of blackberry, dark cherry and plum, leather, and menthol. nicely poised on the palate, but this has an obtrusive salty note that i've not experienced before and that detracts from the enjoyment. good finish on this. and old-world styled bordeaux, this is not overpowering. there's still some tannin here, so it could last a bit longer, but drinking nicely right now.
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Beautiful expressive coffee, cedar, spice and flint on the nose. Palate is much less powerful, light to medium bodied, with solid cherry and cassis, a fantastic cigar box/spice note, and a touch of tobacco leaf. Medium length finish with cherry/licorice, lots of cedar wood and a touch of mocha. Some dry tannins on the finish. Medium weight and complexity, and well made. Lacks some "umph" in the mid palate, but is a very good enjoyable bdx, probably near or approaching peak. After a few hours open, smoothed out some with the oak flavors integrating a little more. Didn't gain complexity, but became a more "complete" wine. (95 point nose though)
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NobleRottersSydney - Vintage Night 96-00 (Alio's, Surry Hills): [13%, cork] {Graeme} This garnet wine is rather more classical, with developing cigar-box, lead pencil and aging cassis aromas. A beautifully seductive nose. The palate is in line with the nose, perfectly balanced; a medium weight wine in every respect, with resolving chalky tannins, lovely length of flavour along the palate, and a gentle lingering finish. Archetypal Brodeaux.
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Mixed Bordeaux at PRIMA: nose - sour cherry, earth, mint mouth - fully mature and ready to drink. Fruit punch essence with none of the sweet. Round mouthcoating tannins. Opened up nicely over the course of the evening. With a slightly fruitier attack this would be flat out delicious.
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Red and black fruits, especially currants, on the palate, with light cedar and a slight hint of new leather. A Cab that, on the palate, shows less force and bulk, and more subtlety and elegance. Good subtle perfume on the nose. Soft tannins and vibrant, juicy acidity carry the wine. What's interesting is that even though there is average depth or richness to the midpalate, the finish and length are rather impressive. In a good place now, but I don't see the midpalate bulking up, nor gaining much depth, even while the acidity, length and finish suggest that there is still a ways to go on this wine.
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Black cherries and cedar on the nose, if a little muted. More generous and giving on the palate. Very structured and delineated - shows its pedigree. Yet, the finish is still closed to some degree. This will be a long-lived wine and is yet to peak. Will try again in 2-3 years but may need longer.
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I have to lower my rating on this bottle. It's a bit thin in the mid palette and doesn't have the complexity I would expect from a wine like this. Still good, but not noteworthy.
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Decanted for 3 hours. Enjoyable, maturing bordeaux. Quite lean and austere, without the complexity I was hoping for. It may improve with more time, but I found it somewhat closed and lacking roundness.
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One of my favorite estates. Killer wide open, knock you down St. Julien smoky, tobacco, mineral, cedary nose. Full bodied in the mouth with grippy tannins providing a great mouth feel. Long finish. Drinking fabulously with a 4 hour decant.
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The Grand Crew- French Wines 10 years and older (Lockwood Restaurant, Chicago IL): nose: classic tones of cedar, tobacco, black currants, dark red cherries, and sour cranberries with some spice box tones. Much different on the nose then the previous 96 lagrange as it had a more classic 96 nose that is just pure unadulterated bordeaux. Great balance on the nose with great depth
taste: excellent full body with good tannins and tones of cedar, tobacco, dark red cherries, sour cranberries, and a good helping of currants and spice box tones with a touch of leather
overall: still comes off as a bit young as the color is a good dark ruby color. The tannins didn't seem to bite as much as they did previously. Good body and very classic bordeaux, this has an elegance to it, that needs some time to get out
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Angela's Birthday Party (Crown Wine Cellars, Hong Kong): Decanted for 4 hours. Deep red colour getting towards translucent at the edges. Nose is fairly reticent and initially marked by pencil lead then with big brambles/blackberries coming through on the back end of the nose. Initial opening hit on the palate of perfectly resolved very intense blackberries and a touch of redcurrents. High acidity but not overly so and sugues into great length and a very persistent but light resonance in your head on the finish. Feminine in character and quite lovely.
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Pulled the cork and it totally disintegrated. Fill was excellent so I was hopefully the wine would be all right and it was. I was in the Chateau only a couple of weeks previously and had been told that a number of 1996 bottles had poor corks. This was the second last of a case and it was the first to be like this. Colour is a little advanced for it's age. I had a 1996 Chateau Kirwan the previous night and it was extremely youthful. This however felt like it had another 15 years on it as the rim was quite translucent.
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Drinking just awesome. Full nose of cassis, mineral, tobacco and green herbs. Palate shows medium rich fruit with gritty tannins providing balance. A classy St. Julien that is giving a ton of pleasure. Delicious with grilled rib eyes.
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The fill was into the neck and the cork was sound; opened about 1 hour prior to dinner, no decant. A pretty purple-ruby color with no signs of amber. A serious boquet of black fruits, forrest floor, and cedar; a hint of mineral / menthol emerges with airing. Medium-bodied, with good concentration of fruit; classic structure, with firm, ripe tannins and good focus on the long and complex finish. Will continue to improve, but drinking wonderfully at present.
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We drank that at Ruth Chris's Steak House shortly after our 1996 Left Bank Bordeaux horizontal. This showed as well as many of the wines (even if not tasted on the same evening), being bested maybe only by the Pichon Lalande and Ducru Beaucaillou. Very fresh, lively, with tobacco and cedar notes, and excellent flavor intensity.
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judgment of chicago-California Cabs vs Bordeaux (Chicago IL, Ward's): nose: real attractive cedary backdrop on the nose with well balanced tones of red cherries, tobacco, red and black currants, bits of spice box and some slight tones of mint. Good power behind it too with excellent tones on top of cedar. The french oak is present, but its not in the way that the american oak was with the previous wine
taste: good firm tannins and a medium/full feel. This comes across as extremely young with rich tones of red cherries, red fruits, red and black currants and some bits of spice box
overall: this certainly still comes across as not yet ready for primetime. Well balanced and defined, this came across as a more classically styled california cab, so it was surprising that it came from the 96 vintage in bordeaux as I could see a 95 more showing like this. Its still a good 5-8 years away IMO from being at its peak and should be a real lovely lagrange when it fully comes around
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1996 left-bank Bordeaux tasting with lots more (Richfield, Lam Soon Building, Singapore): Strange little wine - started off poorly, got better, got really quite good, and then tailed off rather quickly. Nose had a pungent, barnyardy component to it at first that took awhile to blow off. When it did, it was really quite attractive - pain grille, lots of fruit sweetness in dark cherry and cassis tones, leather notes and damp leaves. The leathery accents continued on to the palate too. It was the first thing that hit me, along with some toast and smoked notes and then crystallined cherry fruit. Not the most structured of the wines we had, which migt be expected, but the wine had very masculine flavours for a St Julien. On the first few sips, the wine faded quite dramatically at the mid-palate, leaving the finish a little lightweight and disjointed, with a touch of bitterness, but that filled out nicely with sweetish fruit and more cherry tones. Almost merlot-ish for some reason. When it hit its peak though, it came across a lot more integrated, more substantial and pretty enjoyable. Probably one of the better Lagranges that I have had. Pity it faded again rather quickly.
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Terroir-istes International - France, Bordeaux 1996 Vintage (Rodwell House): Mid garnet to a thin orange rim. Intense nose filled with tinned fruit, spice, pot pourri and black fruits. Similar to the previous wine, there is an openness to the palate with soft fruit cake, black currant yoghurt and cassis. A dry, and still full-bodied style, the wine is balanced by a high green acidic kick making the wine slightly off-balance. Despite this, there is plenty of flesh to cover the more austere tannin structure, a clarity almost cool mint to the mid-palate and great complexity. The finish is long with some aged beef, black fruits and good depth of flavour.
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Decanted 1 hour. Medium/deep rub, ruby rim. Subdued aromatics, some red fruit, vanilla. A little leafy complexity. Firmly tannic on the palate, tight, nice fresh acidity, starting to open out a little after a couple of hours but needs more time. NR. Try again in 2-3 years.
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Balanced, noble, but unexciting. Strong eucalyptus/herbal note. Black fruit, pencil shavings, and a light smoky-spicy note I would describe as poblano pepper. Medium-bodied with integrated tannins and nice acidity level. I was impressed, but at 100 for 375 ml, this is a bad value. I very often drink red wines at less than a quarter the price (though not bordeaux) that I consider clearly superior.
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This ran the LLC very close all night. Much more open than at the last time I tasted it in 11/05. Has plenty of life and improvement ahead of it. The thing that struck me tasting it side by side with the LLC was how similar these two wines were- very high praise. The Lagrange also had a tobacco and black currant nature, and if anything, was a notch richer than the LCC.
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Uncorked and sat in the bottle for 2 hours, then decanted and funneled back for the trip to the restaurant. (Natalaino's...new and very good) Almost prune colored, edging toward brown. Full ,rich nose. Subtle, austere, old-style Bordeaux that is sophisticated, complex and delicious but doesn't blow you away. Tasting and looking mature but surely not over the hill yet.
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TN: Kistler, DuCru, La Grange, Fourtet (Matyson's in Philly): This bottle was popped and poured. It was dark, but a bit lighter than the Du Cru. This was soft and lovely. Lots of sediment. An exceptionally long finish. Toward the end of the evening, we questioned whether there was a slight toasted note here. This was a beautiful bottle.
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Decanted for sediment and started pouring. Classic nose of dark berries with strong notes of cedar, tobacco and leather. Even the average Bordeaux bouquet trumps most other wine regions IMO. Some nice flavors on the palate but a little thin overall. Nice sour cherry on the finish that I liked a lot. Tannins showed that this wine has some life on it, but I’m not sure it’s going to get much better with age. The thin fruit holds this wine back a little, but overall I really enjoyed it.
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Drank it awhile back. Silky tannin structure, probably age for 2-3 more years at the most. If you drink it now you'd probably want to decant it for over a hour. Great fruit and earth flavors.
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Ruby red, lots of wood on the nose with hints of red fruit, cigar box and leather. Although very good, it lacks the depth and complexity found in other '96 St. Juliens. The tannins feel as if they are predominately from the oak, and it is a bit thin with a short finish. It's not bad, but it isn't a memorable wine either.
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Little barnyard, a lot of sweetness, coffee, lead pencil, bitterness and cassis. Thick, full bodied, good juice. Very good concentration, a lot of soft and firm good bitterness in the long aftertaste. This is a very good wine. Now beautiful, but a promise for the future.
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No formal notes, drank at Cafe Stella. Textbook young St. Julien, but with a surprisingly floral nose. Lavender and white flowers with new leather. Palate was tight but not disjointed, developing very well and was everything it should be for its age. This is going to be a knockout in 10 years. Plenty of weight an extract but with structure to make it last for 20years more. A-
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Waa-a-a-a-ay too young, at least for me. Beautiful dark ruby color, nose is somewhat restrained but with dark fruits, cassis, cedar, leather and gravel. Even though it was decanted for 2 hours it was full of furry tannins. The palate has dark berries and (for me) a hard to describe earthy complexity. It seems to have terrific balance with a tilt towards a somewhat higher-acid (?old world) style; but to be clear, it is not astringent and unpleasant. A very good finish tops things off. I'll revisit this wine in a few years; if it sheds its tannins and retains its vibrant fruit, this will be a real winner.
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Took about an hour to open up a really beatiful classic nose of lovely fruit and earthy elements. Fullbodied and again a lovely taste with ripe fruit, and a nice tannin to support it. A very wellbalanced wine with potential of at least 5 more years. Went very well with fondue.
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(at Cru – NYC) A little bit tight upon opening, but really blossomed with 20 minutes airtime. Cassis, cedar – deep and lasting flavor impression. Classic Saint Julien profile with a bit extra stuffing than usual for this wine. I love the ’96 left bank wines. I liked this a ton. This wine is a real value. (19)
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The first of 31 reds and we had to give some score room for the others so maybe I was a bit harsh on this wine but I think it underperformed and I usually really like Lagrange. Rustic tannins and some slightly tart acids on the finish left me wonderin' about it's future. I won't wait long on my other bottle-- and I'll have a back up ready to go.
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Nice nose. Palate came and went and with it, the fruit. Rich smokey wine. Don't know if this is a maturity issue (mine or the wine's ) that will resolve w/ time and leave a sweeter core of fruit. Enjoyed but not loved
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Nose of cigar box, toasted oak with a floral backdrop. The wine developed nicely over a 4 hour period-started to show secondary complexities. On the palate cassis, dark smoky rich fruit, mid palate was a bit light but a smooth finish. Tannins still very noticable but not overbearing. I hate to say it but I think it will benefit from a few more years of aging. 91
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Tasted September 30, 2006 at an offline. Opened and served immediately in a Riedel restaurant series tasting glass. Garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Just a touch of brett on the nose with some notes of tobacco, smoke, plums and crushed dark berries. Flavors of blackberries, black cherries with an underlying mineral streak. Medium to firm tannins, medium acidity and medium to full bodied. Can be drank now with decanting but definitely has the stuff to last for several more years.
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my last bottle of 1996 Château Lagrange St. Julien is gone. As I mentioned earlier, all bottles suffered in Florida hot weather but the last 2 were just over the cliff ;(
oh well....I am glad we enjoyed the rest of the case earlier.
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Takes about 45min or air time in bottle. Optimal drinking window is another 45min. During this time nose of cassis, leather good consistency in mid-palate and finish. After 45min drinking window wine gets progressively more sour and losses its "balance".
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Dark purple color, brilliant. Complex nose of cassis, spicy French oak, and earth. COmplex palate with a great balance and a medium length. Black currant, leather, cherry, earthy and herbal notes. Medium to full body. Silky tannins. Excellent with French dishes. Drink 2006-2020.
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Just delicious, really hit it's stride 3 hrs in. Wonderful dark red fruits, fine tannins, nice long finish. I think there's a beautiful freshness to this wine. Nothing wrong with drinking this now, in my opinion...
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No decant - poured bit out until mid shoulder level. Took about 75-90 minutes to finally open up. Drinking very well at that point. Nice rounded mid palate, black fruits with decent finish. Fine tannins and even better given the air time. Should be coming into optimal drinking window in next 2-3 years.... Steal at these prices (~$40-50). An undervalued bordeaux if thats possible!!
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Thick, juicy & concentrated. Cedar, some herbs. Green tannins on top need to fade. Some mineral-iron? Mint way behind. Nice juicy fruit, but hiding behind flattening tannins. B/B- with potential
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Still quite closed, but this was impressive juice. Tons of dark fruit on the nose and palate, with some gamey and floral notes that really add complexity. Extremely ripe/sweet fruit well balanced by lush, fine tannins. Long, expansive finish. This is a great wine for the cellar.
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Quite similar in style to the Sociando, but somewhat less impressive overall on both the nose and in the mouth. Some Bretty, barnyard aromas on the nose, substantial tannins with modest dark fruit in the mouth. Distinctly less length than the Sociando, however. Needs to be retasted.
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3/15/2024 - cannym Likes this wine: 92 Points
Mid ruby, bricking. Given some air, then lovely. Classic really. Blackcurrant and some blackberry. Cedar. Some mild spices. Great acidity and real lively freshness. Decent length. Very elegant. Some kept for a second night didn't fare quite so well but the first night was lovely, hence 92.
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1/5/2024 - BradE wrote:
Solid, enjoyable.
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1/5/2024 - ONEFIVE Likes this wine:
Similar to last note. This continues to drink well. Maybe further along than the last bottlei had, but this will continue to drink great for at least another 5 years.
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12/13/2023 - aagrawal wrote: 91 Points
Stood up for 3 months, double decanted off well settled sediment. Medium-plus ruby with age-appropriate bricking; mature bordeaux aromatics with some blackberry, capsicum, some forest floor, slight graphite; palate is full bodied, balanced 13% alcohol, integrated tannins though still a bit drying on the back end, medium-plus refreshing acidity throughout, still some traces of blackberry and fruit but clearly transitioned to maturity with some mulch, forest floor, nice complexity; medium length finish. This is my 9th (and last) bottle of this, and it has been drinking nicely for a decade but now seems fully mature and only a slow decline ahead of it. Drink now. 92
Well balanced, but it has lost that extra gear that it used to have. I think this has already started its descent. It's also possible this bottle was more advanced, but regardless I'm glad I drank my bottles when I did. 91
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11/12/2023 - Goldstone Likes this wine: 95 Points
Lunch at Shane & Caroline's (Their Place, Hong Kong): Decanted for a couple of hours then re-bottled to take to lunch. Gorgeous deep garnet colour with a very small transparent meniscus. Nose is… WOW! Absolutely gorgeous warm damp earth, forest floor, cedar shingles, nutmeg, confit blackberry and blackcurrant…. absolutely mesmerising. Palate is an almost seamless segue into a gorgeous softened but still structured tannin frame with lovely fresh and bright acidity. A super combination of deep, rich but mellowed ripe blackcurrant and blackberry with a gorgeous forest floor, etc. tertiary backing band. Great resonance and reverberance inside the head on a very long finish. Man, this is good and has started to repay the patience of buying it en primeur. Lovely. Totally accessible now but no rush to drink.
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11/10/2023 - Papies wrote: 94 Points
When u have 3 great bottles the night before why not another great bottle for lunch the day after. Exceptional again 94
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11/9/2023 - Papies wrote: 94 Points
It was really hard work (Bentley's , London): A month since we had this last and probably we had this a dozen times over the last decade (Papies 93-94) and once again was exceptional and what an arbitrage of value vs quality. This is every old-school claret lover's dream in many respects and this 3 bottles on this occasion all performed exceptional well. Need some decanting a a good hour that we allowed them worked their magic. As classic and elegant as it gets, leather, earthy, cedar, soft spice. Alive across and albeit well secondary fruit still the energy and vitality of a golden oldie are there. Long live 1996 St Juliens! A Superb 94 from us and frankly maybe even more if adjusted for price.
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10/8/2023 - VinhoVerde Likes this wine: 85 Points
Medium red. Herbaceous, cassis bouquet. Smooth herbal flavor. Mature, fruit is fading a bit. I expected it to be fresher and more vibrant.
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10/4/2023 - MindMuse Likes this wine: 93 Points
Took to a wine lunch and I thought it WOTD out of about 6 whites, 6 reds, including Bdx from Montrose, Cos, and La Confession, though it did have a bit more age on it. Classic mature Bordeaux with ample leather, pipe tobacco, tilled earth, dried cassis, relaxed tannins. Quite pleasurable.
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9/24/2023 - Papies wrote: 93 Points
Truffle Night at The Papies (The Papies, Elizabeth St, London): An arbitrage of a wine. Quality vs price Lagrange from great vintages perform and punch so much higher than their price tag.
We opened and left it to rest and we did not feel it needed more agitation to get it to full stride. Earthy, well evolved, not fully mature but will be in the next 5-6 years so we feel like this is one to start drinking more and more as it felt as such. Earthy, tobacco, cedar, super classic and elegant nose, healthy and very much alive wine and will put a smile on every classic Bordeaux lovers face. Did for us. 93 , easy
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9/12/2023 - Tao wrote: 90 Points
Dark, translucent ruby colour! An intense nose of red peppery fruits, a hint of aged oak cask! Pure and simple grilled peppery fruits on the palate, rather smooth, drinking very nicely now! I have to be truly honest, I expect a little bit more! Especially from vintage 1996
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8/27/2023 - AlanM68 Likes this wine: 92 Points
From magnum and side by side with a Sociando-Mallet, same year and also magnum I vaguely recall that they were owned by the same family maybe in the 1850s (hence the pairing). Hard to tell them apart in the end - the SM needed some more time to come together though. Both beautifully integrated, still lots of fruit. Easily another 10+ years for each of these.
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7/24/2023 - Thoughtful Likes this wine: 92 Points
Stored in a cold cellar since release. Fill just below cork. Deep colour. Well balanced though on the lighter side. Black fruits cassis. Possesses the finesse of St Julien but does seem to have much of a future. Drink within five years.
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7/1/2023 - lozatron Likes this wine:
Bordeaux Wimps June 2023 - 1945 (La Trompette): '96 left bank is still performing so well. Still a hint of green that gives it freshness, some black fruit and a kind of savoury finish. Some discussion at the table as to whether brett is there. I think there may be some, but this is totally within bounds for me - there is certainly just a whiff of animale, but of the type that invites excitement rather than revulsion.
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5/23/2023 - Chrysostomus Likes this wine: 92 Points
Give it some air, it developes beautiful tertiary notes of wet wood, spices, herbs, pepper, tobacco. Can't stop sniffing. Same notes on the light palate, just a little bit of cherry coming through. Acidity is very pronounced, a little bit too much for me, so palate can't match the impression of the nose. Very classical left side bdx. Nose is a 94, palate a 90 for me.
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5/21/2023 - merlotsmile Likes this wine: 91 Points
Bordeaux 2023-05-21 (Château Lagrange): Dinner Chateau Lagrange
Very good but maybe a bit too much of soy and bouillon notes. Tasted side by side with the 1986 which had no sign at all of soy/bouillon so it felt much fresher and younger.
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5/13/2023 - martinvolmerpedersen@gmail.com Likes this wine: 93 Points
Brilliant, reaching maturity but will be at plateau for years.
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5/7/2023 - ONEFIVE Likes this wine:
Again Lagrange shows it’s value
This has some serious structure.
Really lovely now and likely will continue to show well for 5-10 years. There is a lot of tannin so if the fruit holds up this will be better in 3-5.
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4/24/2023 - galewskj wrote:
Three flawed bordeaux reds (Tilia): Three Bordeaux enthusiasts meet for dinner, and all three Bordeaux wines are flawed the same way? I think these were. All three decanted 1-2 hours, put back into the bottle, and then I drank about 1/3rd of each bottles over 3 hours.
1995 Château Léoville Poyferré - St. Julien
1996 Château Lagrange (St. Julien)
2000 Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte
The Lagrange was mine, I'd had it a couple years ago with a 1 hour decant and it was gangbusters. Tonight, some bordeaux nuance on the nose, and the palate is slightly sour and forgettable. Same with the other 2, the Leoville was the most sour, such that the owner had brought a backup and seemed concerned. At the very beginning, I got a distinct but light whiff of nail polish. These weren't obviously flawed, not corked, but they didn't show the way that they should. I'm leaving them unscored and likely flawed with volatile acidity. If I had to score them, they'd probably be 88-89.
Funny but under these circumstances, my starter white, an inexpensive Condrieu, was clearly wine of the night. And no one brought a Sauternes. So sad.
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4/7/2023 - Tao wrote: 92 Points
Charming nose of sweet, fragrant, creamy vanilla red fruits with a hint of sweet minerals! Opaque ruby in colour! The palate is rich and sweet, minerals driven, drinking very nicely now!
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3/2/2023 - BradE wrote:
Sadly, corked.
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2/25/2023 - FiggySmalls Likes this wine:
moderate bouquet, but intense/packed: tart cherry, sliced pepper, mild oxidation, tobacco. intensifies significantly with 1+ our air
palate: good balance/tension between savory and rich fruit. medium plus acid. tannin is merely textural right now. iron/raw meat. youthful/perky quality to the fruit. absolutely delicious
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2/20/2023 - Purple Tooth wrote: 93 Points
Another fine bottle of 1996 Lagrange with my girl/lady. 27 years later, we are still married and still love drinking old wine together with dimmed lights. What else can you ask for?
As fans of this wine know, this is just a classic, classic Bordeaux that drinks way above its price point. It drank like a baby Mouton last night, with its cedar laden earthy goodness and class, with a strong bouquet of clay infused night flowers and potpourri. A long, dry, tannic finish the had us both repeating the same old words that all of us old wine lovers repeat over and over...."its still young"
Drink this...You can't miss. At full throttle after 60 minutes and maintained weight till the last drop.
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10/11/2022 - DaleW wrote:
(Mag) Rich cassis, black plum, vanilla,mocha. Nicely structured with forgiving tannins, some people’s favorite. B+
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5/8/2022 - ETBT wrote: 80 Points
Dry, tannic and acidic. Drank for Mother’s Day with Brain Josie and Brett
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3/24/2022 - forceberry wrote: 95 Points
A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (57%), Merlot (36%) Petit Verdot (7%). Aged for approximately 20 months in oak barriques (approx. 50% new). 13% alcohol. Tasted blind.
Quite deep dark cherry-red color with quite little translucency. The nose is quite textbook aged Bordeaux nose with a little bit of bretty funk; there are aromas of leather saddle, ripe blackcurrants, some leafy herbaceous notes, a little bit of barnyard and earth, light notes of tobacco, a vegetal hint of cooked bell pepper, a woody touch of pencil shavings and a bright, crunchy whiff of fresh cranberries. The wine is dry, juicy and enjoyably savory on the palate with a medium body and focused flavors of leather and tobacco, some wizened blackberry tones, light bretty notes of horse stables, a little bit of leafy greenness, light earthy notes and a hint of gravelly minerality. The overall feel is firm and balanced, thanks to the high acidity and ample yet ripe and nicely resolved tannins that feel textural and gentle rather than tough and grippy. The finish is dry, juicy and crunchy with long, complex flavors of fresh redcurrants and more evolved nuances of wizened blackcurrants, some bretty notes of new leather and farmhouse funk, light gravelly mineral tones, a little bit of ferrous blood, an autumnal hint of damp leaves and sous-bois and a touch of earth.
A very harmonious, complex and classically built claret with all the pieces in correct places. The wine is in a beautiful spot right now, but it shows no signs of decline and based on the intensity of the fruit, I wouldn't be surprised if the wine continued to improve for years more. Drink or keep. Tasting this blind, there were no questions whether this was or wasn't Bordeaux - everyone went immediately to Bordeaux with this. Based on its somewhat evolved overall quality and pretty old-school herbaceous notes, I guessed that this must be early-to-mid 1990's. The somewhat obvious ripeness of the fruit and the overall intensity and quality made me think of 1996, so I went with that one. I had no idea which château this was, but for the appellation I guessed Saint Julien just based on a hunch. All correct.
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3/19/2022 - Richard P Howden Likes this wine: 93 Points
So classy and well balanced. Another rocking bottle.
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3/13/2022 - spillwine wrote: 94 Points
Nez magnifique, en bouche c‘est plus court. A boire
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1/30/2022 - ONEFIVE Likes this wine:
PnP. Savory nose. Wild dill, dried cherry, espresso grounds, and cassis. Medium body on the palate with medium acidity and medium tannin. This is drinking well and will continue to do so for the next 5-10 years most likely. Solid and reliable as Lagrange has proven to be form the 90s.
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1/16/2022 - Richard P Howden Likes this wine: 93 Points
Ready, extremely tasty. These ‘96s are in a great place.
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12/18/2021 - CarpeDiem! Likes this wine: 90 Points
Charming St. Julien sweetness in the nose, well structured, with generous toffee, roast aromas, plum and chocolate, but a bit of acidity in the background. Drink now and over the coming 3 years.
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12/4/2021 - BradE wrote:
Classic, easy going, and a pleasure.
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11/6/2021 - MRichman wrote:
Good, still holding fine, but a bit angular. Lots of iron, just maybe a bit under-fruited at this point. Just a bit sour. Good mouth feel, texture. Round dark fruit.
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11/4/2021 - Geoff Likes this wine: 95 Points
Slo ox for 5 hours, one hour decant. Carbon copy of my last notes, but even better. Stunning wine. Last bottle. Only wish I had more.
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11/4/2021 - iainlo@gmail.com Does not like this wine: 88 Points
P&P, medium colour with slight amber rim forming. Dark fruits on the nose but palate was not balanced, more acidity than fruit. It improved after an hour but not to where I had expected. Previous experiences have been better so maybe just this bottle
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11/3/2021 - Papies wrote: 93 Points
|Decanted for a good hour and served.
Ironically Andreas who tried this blind went down the mid 90s cote rotie path given the smoky and herby side of the wine.. A humbling experience especially given this is among his favorite wines.
Once again an arbitrage of quality and price . Well evolved very elegant and with such a pretty nose. A superb wine
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11/2/2021 - DaleW wrote:
Seriously good showing from mag, youthful cassis fruit but overlaid with herb, vanilla, and tobacco. Tannins in balance, juicy acids, good length. A-
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10/4/2021 - DaleW wrote:
STill some tannin but approachable, black cherry, plum, with some vanilla oak notes. Sweet fruit but balanced, not the most complex claret, but satisfying in a straightforward manner. B+
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9/5/2021 - MC wrote:
PNP. Didn't get a lot of time with this but dark fruits and in the zone. Tannins a little more prominent than the '96 Montrose we had before it which was a better wine but this is certainly a great value and drinking well. A-
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8/15/2021 - ONEFIVE Likes this wine:
Echoing my notes from 3 years ago, this is holding up quite well. The fruit is still prominent and it’s just a purely delicious wine. There’s still plenty of structure and a brightness that keeps this youthful. Will it improve from here? Hard to say but it’s got a long life ahead. Drink now for the fruit and hold for the nuance.
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8/11/2021 - BradE wrote:
Lovely wine, that's really entered the zone.
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7/24/2021 - MrBrege wrote: 94 Points
This terrific wine is at peak, and seems to be staying there for several years to come. Some very marginal bricking, damp cellar on the nose but wonderfully fresh tertiary flavour. Everybody liked it, including my youngest son Sam, who is not easily pleased when it comes to red wines. This, fairly humble, classified left banker indicates how terrific the better wines (like LLC etc.) from this vintage will be one day. The 1996s are still a buy.
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5/21/2021 - Lype Likes this wine:
Finally Lagrange 1996 is here. Generous cedar dominated bouquet, the palate is dense and full bodied in a nicely resolved fashion, a forceful mixture of cedar and cassis, very St Julien, green pepper, fresh and a tad sweet pea pod flauvors (but no vegetality), cigar box, lively and a lot of things going, gum drying tannins but clearly enough fruit and fresh acidity to bring balance. An unnecessary comparison but this vintage of Lagrange seriously rivals Left Banks of higher pedigree and gets left behind only in terms of highest levels of complexity and refinement. The 1996 is fresher than the 1990 which has lower acidity and riper fruit and feels a bit more complex, this is better that the enjoyable and good 1995, at this point the 1996 drinks clearly better than the still developing 2000 but eventually the younger vintage will catch up and only time will tell what is the pecking order among these two. This is probably at the peak of its drinking curve but will last on this level for many years. This beauty is as good as they say - or even better.
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4/23/2021 - StefanAkiko Likes this wine: 93 Points
Superb intensity in the early stages after the POP, but muddling up within an hour. Has a beautiful touch of Brett, as if a price-winning horse walked by the gambrels of the cedars and beautiful, rich fruity youth of this magnificent wine. Mjuff!
In the mouth, we encountered nerve and intensity on top of the concentration that is breathtaking. At this rather adolescent stage, we especially enjoyed fresh red berries that keep poppin' and boppin'. As a red fruit wine, we are quite convinced that this wine has much more to give as it continues to develop.
No need in drinking this rascal just yet, just hold your horses. As delicious as it is today, further patience will be greatly rewarded.
I give it only 93 today but am quite sure this vintage is destined towards the 96+ Echelon.
Keep on keeping on!
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12/31/2020 - bacchus of knockholt Likes this wine: 92 Points
Ruby with tawny edges. Nose has some funk but there’s violets and cedar alongside black fruits. The palate has lovely sweet black fruits with a beautiful balance which ensures this wine glides around the mouth, coating it with sweetness and bright acidity with tertiary flavours of forest floor and leaf compost.
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12/26/2020 - Misterobit Likes this wine:
Decanted 2 hours, the wine offers immediate pleasure with tertiary aromatics. Lovely wine that dont need no more time in cellar in my opinion.
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12/9/2020 - jswine15 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Slightly thin, with a nice nose that dissipates quickly. Not likely to last much longer, still drinking fine, but won't be a long lived wine
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11/14/2020 - tomlee wrote: 93 Points
Crimson in color. 13% ABV. Gorgeous nose of red fruits, wet leaves, cedar and leather. Medium body with with supple fruit and polished tannins. Exceedingly approachable. Currants, cassis, plums and tobacco on the palate. Tremendous length on the finish. Fantastic Lagrange that has aged brilliantly. Much better than a '95 earlier this year. Best over the next 2-4 years but there is really no reason to wait.
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11/5/2020 - aagrawal wrote: 93 Points
Medium-deep ruby with age-appropriate bricking; elegant, classic bordeaux nose with cassis, bell pepper, forest floor; palate is full bodied, elegant fully integrated tannins, medium-plus acidity, balanced low alcohol (13%?); finish is medium-plus length. Really lovely, in line with my previous bottles. Drink up as this is fully ready. 92-93
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10/30/2020 - Handy1 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Nice aged bordeaux some earthiness and leather. Better on day 2. Has some years left
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7/28/2020 - MRichman wrote:
Excellent and drinking great.
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7/24/2020 - BradE wrote:
Again, classic and charming.
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7/12/2020 - BradE wrote:
Haven't had one of these in many years. Lovely sweet fruit, very classic, and charming. A low 90's claret for points people. I liked it and look forward to drinking more.
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7/10/2020 - Papies wrote: 94 Points
Another superb performance of this beautiful wine and is easily one of the best value for money wines we know. Classic , elegant and drinks superbly especially if like us one is a lover of old school well aged left bank.
Herby, leathery with still healthy albeit well evolved fruit. Always puts a smile on our faces and happy we recently bought a few more. Superb once again 93-94 and will last easily another 10 years and continue to evolve and deliver.
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7/2/2020 - CarpeDiem! Likes this wine: 89 Points
Charming St. Julien sweetness in the nose, well structured, with generous toffee, roast aromas, plum and chocolate, but a bit of acidity in the background. Drink now.
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4/15/2020 - Geoff Likes this wine: 94 Points
Beautiful wine. Slight browning, medium to full body, wonderful dark fruit with secondary and teriary notes, smoke, oak, saddle leather, smooth,sweet tannins, balance and finesse. A very fine wine at its peak.
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4/14/2020 - aagrawal wrote: 93 Points
Decanted and poured. Deeper ruby with minimal bricking; nose is intensely aromatic with complex forest floor, blackberry, capsicum, black currant, balanced and fresh on the nose; palate is full bodied, fully integrated smooth medium tannins, intense medium-plus to high acidity that provides lift to the palate, black fruits more in the background, plenty of capsicum; finish is medium length. Incredible nose which is classic mature bordeaux, palate is a bit higher toned right now, but I suspect it will settle down a bit with some air. Length isn't as long as a first growth but is very respectable. This is an intensely pleasurable bordeaux, consistent with my past bottles (if slightly more acid-driven than I remember those). 93
2 hours decanted: Acid is a bit more integrated, but certainly still qualifies as acid-driven. Has some mature notes as above, but certainly not only mature notes... still plenty of fruit. Lovely, lovely now but certainly will go at least a few more years.
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2/20/2020 - SimonG wrote: 94 Points
1996 Bordeaux (Piccolino, Liverpool Street Stn, London): Dark to mid red fruit and a touch of green pepper. Again, similar on the palate. Red fruited with a pinch of green pepper. Very together. A richness and an extra layer of density cf previous flight. The right balance between propriety and fun. ****1/2
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12/27/2019 - Ara Kafafian Likes this wine: 94 Points
I scored this magnum a point higher than the 750ml I sampled a couple of months ago. Decanted 2 hours prior, dominant notes of cherries, lead pencil, humus & mocha followed by fully integrated silky-smooth tannins ending on a very long finish. This bottle seemed ripper and didn’t have any of the vegetal notes compared to my previous bottle. I’m noticing that magnums are the way to go for long term aging. At its peak drinking window where it will hold another 10 years.
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12/11/2019 - Papies wrote: 93 Points
Decades of 6 (67 Pall Mall, London): Opened and left to rest for a good 30 minutes. Decanting advisable.
Funny trying this along the 1986 Talbot (Papies 93-94) and this is in a way the 10yr younger of the other and much like it another arbitrage is price vs quality and experience in the classic Bordeaux style. This is our 12th TN on it over 7 years and always performs. Nice fruit still, good earthy side , vibrant and elegant. Solid 93 once again and easy 10yrs in the tank here.
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11/10/2019 - MrBrege wrote: 92 Points
Very likeable as usual (see previous notes) wonderfully fresh and satisfying, on the margin this bottle was just a touch light on the fruit vs acidity.
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11/1/2019 - bacchus of knockholt Likes this wine: 92 Points
Decanted for two hours. Cork was dried out and broke in half but the wine was very fine inside. Tasted blind alongside four other clarets. Dark core with aging rim. Nose of tertiary aromas such as menthol, forest floor, earth, barnyard, spearmint and a hint of brett. Soft sweet blackcurrant fruit, lots of graphite and pencil which made me assume, in correctly, it was a Paulliac. Despite its age tannins are still present, a beautiful wine which was picked as a top wine on the night against opposition which included Pichon Longueville Comtesse Lalande and Lynch Bages, both from '02
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10/27/2019 - bacchus of knockholt Likes this wine: 92 Points
Decanted for one hour. Colour is ruby with a pronounced brick edge. Floral, elegant, red cherry, fresh, young. To taste it’s soft and easy when first tasted but there’s lots of power on the mid palate where the blackberry and red cherry, savoury, earthy and mushroom flavours too comes to the fore with a very long finish. Wonderful.
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10/21/2019 - Ara Kafafian Likes this wine: 93 Points
Really enjoyed this mature Lagrange. Explosive notes of sweet cherries, tomato vines, hummus, smoke and mocha. Silky smooth and at its plateau where it will hold another 5 years, drink up.
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9/29/2019 - Geoff Likes this wine: 94 Points
Wonderful example of well aged Bordeaux. Beautiful nose , multidimensional, with secondary and tertiary notes. Medium to full bodied, great balance, smooth tannins, long finish. Delightful wine.
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9/21/2019 - aagrawal wrote: 93 Points
Deep ruby, less bricking than expected for its age; medium-plus aromatics, cedar, tobacco, mature but not at all overly mature; palate is full bodied, tannins present but well integrated, red currants, really noticeable and enjoyable medium-high acidity that gives the wine real freshness, some minerality and crispness; medium length mouthwatering finish. Really lovely, consistent with my last few bottles. At maturity but with a decade ahead of it. 92-93
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8/15/2019 - Papies wrote: 93 Points
Consistent 92-93 once again in this 12th time we have had this over the last 6 years. and we have another 16 to go.
If one looks for lovely, classic old school quality claret this is it. and at 60£ or so worth every bit of its money.
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8/5/2019 - MichielV wrote: 92 Points
W steak ; JH Roosje etc. excellent wine. Freah amd good finish!
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7/26/2019 - Big Bad Voodoo Daddy Likes this wine: 93 Points
Consistent with previous notes. In the drinking window. Mature Bordeaux. Great with steak!!
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6/22/2019 - O'Meara Likes this wine:
Alas, my last bottle from the case. This was not the best from the case though, so if you have these, I would suggest drinking up. They seem to be just at the end of their plateau or slightly past. Double decanted for 30 minutes and consumed over two hours. Some bricking that I hadn’t noticed in the last bottle. Still a lovely, gamey, and sweet StJ that provided a great experience alongside a prime rib.
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5/19/2019 - joshbryer Likes this wine:
From memory... Decanted and consumed over the course of the meal. Did not reach the heights of the previous bottles tasted, though not flawed. This bottle was very secondary/tertiary and lacked a sense of fruit present. Very earthy, flint and smoke, with a tremendous amount of sediment thrown. Definitely lacking freshness and any sense of excitement from this example.
I’m going to say this was not a representative bottle of where this wine is right now, but will likely open another soon to find out.
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4/20/2019 - Ksanti Likes this wine:
No notes taken
Still going strong this wine. Fruit still there. Undertow of acidity and dusty tannins yet to be resolved.
Lovely claret. In the spot now
Half bottle; small decant
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3/28/2019 - DoubleMagnum Likes this wine: 94 Points
Audozed for three hours prior to popping. Cork came out intact. Dark ruby red with a lighter rim. No browning. Raspberry, blackberry, red apple, cigar box, cassis, with some cooked fruit but not overripen. To the contrary, this shows the classic structure of the ‘96 vintage. The tannins are rounded now but they are still perceivable, acidity is medium plus, the fruit is still fresh and the wine is very alive. The finish is long and enchanting. This is probably the best vintage I’ve tried of this wine and I’m looking forward to my last bottle maybe five to ten years down the road. I am sure it will be glorious.
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3/23/2019 - englishman's claret wrote: 92 Points
Chateau Lagrange Dinner (Harvard Club, Back Bay): Raspberry, red apple peel, cedar, leather, a touch horsey from faint brettanomyces. Medium bodied, moderately long finish. Double decanted about 3 hours prior to consumption. This is lovely and classically St. Julien but doesn't have the depth, purity, or focus that the Bordes-era wines do.
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3/22/2019 - kfinsrud wrote: 90 Points
Dekantert 2,5 t. Blyantspiss, solbær og ceder. Medium kropp på munnfølelsen. Pent avrundet. Mangler litt finesse i frukten, litt endimensjonal. Medium og tørr avslutning. Ble mye medium her, men vinen er bedre nå enn for 5 år siden. Klassisk og drikker bra nå! (90+)
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3/17/2019 - aagrawal wrote: 93 Points
Dinner at Home; 3/10/2019-3/17/2019 (Home, Millbrae): Same as other bottle, even slightly better. 92-93
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3/17/2019 - aagrawal wrote: 92 Points
Dinner at Home; 3/10/2019-3/17/2019 (Home, Millbrae): Stood up for 2 weeks and double decanted. Clear medium ruby, age appropriate bricking; high intensity aromatics, classic aged Bordeaux with integrated blackberry, forest floor, slight capsicum, balanced aromas; palate is medium bodied, medium alcohol (13%?), medium to medium-plus acidity; medium finish. Lovely classic fully mature Bordeaux, ready to drink. 92-93
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3/10/2019 - MrBrege wrote:
Drank with Lunzer at 67. Engrossed in conversation I did not pay attention, I only remember that it was delicious and that I was surprised at how young this bottle tasted.
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3/5/2019 - O'Meara Likes this wine:
A lovely textbook StJ at the apex of maturity. One hour decant and this is superb. Still fresh, but the tertiary flavors Bdx lovers enjoy are clear and present. Medium body, round, and pure. I could drink this all day long. My curiosity wants to hold my last bottle for another decade, but what’s the point?!?! This is perfect now.
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2/2/2019 - CHINACAT wrote: 94 Points
Excellent bottle. Surprisingly fresh and pure, with hints of herbs, pine and leather, ample acidity and a lingering finish. Nicely balanced. Shows no signs of fading.
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1/23/2019 - Papies wrote: 93 Points
Almost a year since we tried this last and this remains a stunning wine, outright but even more so on a relative basis. Decanted for a good half hour and post that the wine was singing. Our friend James (and master taster) who had this blind said “ I can smell the Cabernet from 2 meters”. And the wine is indeed that, open and classic, dark fruited, herby, peppery, leather, cigar box and of course a forest floor undertone. Healthy on the palate still juicy fruit. A treasure for lovers of classic Bordeaux fans. 93
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1/16/2019 - ralstenm Likes this wine: 95 Points
Initial floral notes quickly evolved into earthy notes of mushrooms, leather, coffee and forest floor. Beautiful mature tannins with dark berries and spices leading to a long smooth finish. Amazing structure still present, amazing legs! Served with Fettuccine Black Truffle Alfredo!
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1/14/2019 - Bodyfxr wrote: 95 Points
I concur with ralstenm and thank him for sharing this exquisite bottle with me. See his note below. Paired with black truffle fettuccine Alfredo, this wine exhibitted mild red fruit notes with more prevalent notes of wild mushroom, coffee, and dark earth. The finish was long and elegant with medium soft tannins punctuated by a touch of spice that lingered effortlessly. A very lovely experience and great pairing.
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12/25/2018 - d'Artagnan wrote: 91 Points
Une confrontation entre un 1995, droit et tannique, face à un 1996 plus rond et aimable.
1996: Un nez de tabac et de cèdre, une belle bouche suave, savoureuse et d’un équilibre idéal. Très beau. 91 pts
1995: nez de cèdre, plus droit et puissant, encore tannique,même un peu dur, avec de l’amertume. C’est bon, mais à plus de 20 ans, j’espèrerais davantage d’harmonie. 88 pts
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12/17/2018 - Julian Marshall Likes this wine: 93 Points
Same tasting impressions as the last bottle, but this one was noticeably fresher and more appealing - very enjoyable.
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11/30/2018 - VitaNova wrote: flawed
Unfortunately, over the top. Acid, watery, no fruit left :-((
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11/19/2018 - Geoff Likes this wine: 95 Points
What a glorious aged Bordeaux with secodary nuances and complex notes, long finish.
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10/27/2018 - MC wrote:
Rich, concentrated Bordeaux that has plenty of tannin on the back end but with enough time in the decanter this is a pleasure to drink. Will improve, and only a slight drying finish is the worry. A-
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10/20/2018 - Purple Tooth wrote: 93 Points
93,93,93,93,93 in the past and the foreseeable future. Lovely mature Bordeaux that would score 96 if it didn't go flat towards the end. Aromatics are out of sight. If I was not allowed to drink the bottle, I would have sniffed it out as a 96/97....Drink, don't hold.
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8/25/2018 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 93 Points
Shared a glass with Alex. Nose of barnyard, grilled bell black berry, black cherry, and pepper, same on the palate, big body, the barnyard and pepper make this an exciting wine to enjoy tonight, mouth filling fruit, at it's best so time to enjoy if you own it, and a long, flavorful finish and aftertaste.
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8/17/2018 - djhammond Likes this wine: 93 Points
A fully mature left bank Bordeaux, displaying everything that is so special when it has evolved through all its stages. The nose is musty with old leather, cedar, and dark berry fruits. The tannin has fully resolved and the finish is good. Whilst an extremely enjoyable wine it is lacking depth and complexity, with the finish a little unbalanced. After the excellent 2000, it is certainly the best drinking Lagrange at present, and it demonstrates that how enjoyable even an average/good Bordeaux can be if patience is shown. There is no rush to drink this if it is stored correctly, and minimum decanting time is needed.
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7/24/2018 - ONEFIVE Likes this wine:
PnP. Garnet edge, ruby core.
Dark cherry and blackberry fruit, garrigue,
On the palate this is still tight. Tannins are still prevalent and there’s enough fruit and acidity to make me think this will age for at least a decade. Probably worth waiting a few more years for it to relax but it’s pretty damn good at the moment.
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7/21/2018 - aagrawal wrote: 93 Points
Double decanted, tasted right away. Medium-ruby, with age-appropriate bricking; nose is aromatic, green capsicum, slight spice, blackberry, complex; palate is medium-full bodied, balanced medium acidity, low-medium alcohol (13%), fully mature black fruits, integrated but still present medium-plus tannins; medium to medium-long finish. A classic fully mature Bordeaux, at its peak, with a few years of plateau ahead of it, just a tad bit behind my last bottle. A great value at release. 93
Day 2: Not as good, a bit more stewed fruits and less character. Drink on day 1.
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7/8/2018 - MichielV wrote: 91 Points
W steak from grill - JH and Roosje here. Very good, still fresh, good length and mostly balance. Had this next to a 2002 Smith Haut Lafitte which the others thought was better. I didn’t.
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6/6/2018 - becassine Likes this wine: 93 Points
So good
St-julien at his top
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5/26/2018 - chablis28 wrote: 90 Points
Took this to Josh & Ana's house for Josh's 34th Bday. We ran into some electrical issues about 2/3rds of the way to completing the steaks. All of the steaks had a fairly rare center so we interrupted dinner and fired up the outdoor gas grill. This plus concern around restoring power to the kitchen appliances makes me somewhat unsure about my assessment. If, pushed, I'd give it 90pts. I think I can safely say I had hoped for more. It felt and tasted fairly youthful and lacking some expected complexity. Structure was fully resolved and there was a hint of tobacco but no signs for tertiary mushroom, forest floor nor earthiness. Drank pretty much like and 04 BDX. Decanted it for 2 hours prior to back into the btl and removed cork for another hour prior to serving at Ana's & Josh's. Doubt it deserved more than 92pts under perfect conditions.
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5/25/2018 - O'Meara Likes this wine:
Another great bottle from this year/producer. A fully mature, very typical St Julien. More about finesse than power. Medium body. Velvety tannins. The fruit continues to emerge for a few hours after decanting, so I would guess we still have a few years in the peak window. The fruit is not as vibrant as it was a year ago though. Don’t hesitate now. Don’t miss this beauty strutting her stuff.
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5/12/2018 - Papies wrote: 93 Points
Saturday night at The Papies ( Eurovision & Fuego dinner) (The Papies, Elizabeth St, London): Decanted for a good hour and this wine continues to perform consistently and we would list it under the arbitrage of price to quality for people who like us love classic well aged Bordeaux.
Well secondary, earthy, truffle touches and actually went superbly with a truffle dish. Soft but wit a presence, good silky tannin and just beautiful to be enjoyed now. Solid 92-93 again
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5/12/2018 - VinCrush wrote: 88 Points
This last bottle was far too rustic and green for my tastes. Didn't really change with additional air.
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5/8/2018 - dcwino wrote: 91 Points
Chateau Lagrange dinner (Blacksalt, Washington DC): Medium expressive nose displaying cassis, a hint of cherry and plum, eucalyptus, strong mint, lead pencil and earth. Medium concentration, subtle cassis and red currant driven palate impression, bright acidity, a hint of dry tannins and a medium to long subtle black fruit driven finish. Another wine that nicely reflects the vintage. A bit like an old school claret from the 70s.
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5/7/2018 - For the Love of Wine Likes this wine: 92 Points
Small pour at a Bordeaux tasting. Wine was decanted for one hour. This was my number 3 choice, running a distant third from the 1990 Pichon Lalande and the 2009 Le Bon Pasteur (both which I rated 95), but clearly ahead of the rest of the field of red Bordeaux wines. I think this wine offers a solid value, but I would rather pay a little extra and get the Pichon. Ironically, I think both wines are in the same spot of their drinking window, i.e., drink them sooner than later, but both will hold for a couple more years at least. I would speculate that the Pichon will actually outlive the Lagrange. Nevertheless, this was typical St Julien, with a nose of cherry, berry and sweet jasmine. On the palate, it was integrated red and black fruit with hints of forest floor, anise and tart cherry. It was a pleasure to drink, and would stand out by itself or with food. The tannins were a little more pronounced that with the top two wines, but were also integrated and fairly smooth. a slight touch of alcohol, but not enough to be annoying. This was a solid Bordeaux wine that is drinking well now.
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5/6/2018 - galewskj wrote: 93 Points
Bordeaux by Joe (Jason's house): Decanted an hour. This seemed like classic Lagrange. It was fully mature and slightly rustic. There was funk, forest floor, damp earth, cedar, black currant. I may have to look for more of this wine.
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4/26/2018 - blanquito wrote:
Quick hit: the is really good and is finally starting to live up to the promise it showed when younger.
I opened this yesterday and enjoyed half of the bottle. It showed a wildly herby, zesty, green bouquet. I loved it, but would give the pyrazine-phobic an instant aneurism. The palate was much less rewarding, showing quiet lean and bright. It needed food.
I froze the 2nd half of the bottle and thawed it for dinner tonight, and is this really good now. The nose has morphed from shrubbery to more classic tobacco, green peppercorns, and earthy notes, there’s even some sweeter whiffs of cherry and lavender. But the palate has really transformed, fleshing out substantially with good midpalate chew and a pleasing sweetness. There’s excellent brightness and plenty of character, this is in an early maturity phase for my palate. Not a blockbuster to be sure, but this is a very encouraging showing for both the Lagrange (which is probably a somewhat earlier maturing Grand Cru Left Bank, for the vintage) and where the 96s may end up in general.
That all said, I am increasingly convinced that while the 96 Left Banks will be glorious when fully mature, they will mostly be on the leaner, aromatic, old school end of the things compared to other top years, offering the best of their charms with aromatic expressiveness, freshness and complexity. The best of the best will have the palate power and depth to back up the aromatic fireworks and turn into legends, but this isn’t like your 82, 86, 89, 90, 05, 09 or 10 vintage in terms of concentration. I’m starting to wonder if something like the underrated 2001 vintage is a good comparison for the 96s?
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3/18/2018 - Julian Marshall Likes this wine: 91 Points
Plums and cedar on the nose, with a fresh, crisp attack of dark cherry and blackcurrant, before a rising middle section of blueberry and plum and a decent finish, marred only by telltale notes of redcurrant and cranberry which hint that the end is not too far away.
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3/4/2018 - acyso wrote: 90 Points
Vinetasters: 1996 Bordeaux (Skokie, IL): Served double blind in a flight of 1996 Bordeaux. The nose here shows a bit of plumminess that is just alluring. This strikes me as a wine that is a little more fleshy than the ones before it. The palate is softer, with more of a gentle character. It feels a little simplistic on the back end as well. The tannins are more resolved; this seems to be one that is ready for current consumption. My 4th, group's 4th.
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3/3/2018 - MrBrege wrote: 94 Points
Another bottle that was absolutely singing! I drank these way too early, now is the time but I only have a few left...
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2/11/2018 - Geoff Likes this wine: 93 Points
Beautiful multifaceted nose , moderate tannins still present. Excellent fruit, long finish. Beautifulwine with more life left.
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2/10/2018 - Ward Huang Likes this wine: 92 Points
Agree with former notes that it was still drinkable. Nose, tannins and acidity kept well.
没抱着多大希望,但是意外的很好喝,作为一款老酒而言,果味单宁酸度该有的有,可以了。产区底子还是在啊。
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1/29/2018 - Mr T wrote:
3 hour decant and wine and pretty open when taken to dinner. Fruit still quite present and tannin mostly resolved. I can't say this entirely sang with dinner but the initial tastes post decant were delicisou. I certainly don't think properly stored bottles are pas their prime...I would think they are just hitting it right about now with years to go
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1/16/2018 - jswine15 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Past its prime, still very drinkable, but a bit thin and missing the fruit
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12/17/2017 - Paul D Likes this wine: 92 Points
3/4. Excellent cork, decanted 1/2 hour.
Deep garnet core, pale garnet rim. Attractive, developed, cedary, minerally nose - quite dark-fruited. Touch of beef. Medium bodied, sleek, minerally black fruit to the fore, decent depth of fruit covering the firm, fineish tannins, fresh acidity, a very good length minerally finish. Upright, classic, correct and none the worse for that. Good for at least another 10.
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12/2/2017 - BenBlu Likes this wine: 93 Points
This was another strong showing for this wine - decanted for 3 hours and then drank over around 1 hour, it did continue to get better and better and was at its best at the very end. Very healthy dark ruby color, displaying the classic structure of the 96 vintage with a streak of acidity - got more generous as time passed by. My second favorite vintage of Lagrange after the incredible 1990. This was clearly better then the 2000 served alongside.
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11/15/2017 - MrBrege wrote: 94 Points
Drank from my cellar at 67 Pall Mall. This was the best bottle I have ever had of this wine. Silky smooth with great intensity and depth. Reminds me that "bottle variation" can describe something positive on occasion.
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11/14/2017 - aagrawal wrote: 94 Points
Dinner with the wine group (The Perennial, SF): Beautiful, beautiful nose, graphite, balanced fruit, slight bell pepper; really balanced, medium-plus finish. Lovely wine, fairly consistent with my last note but just showing really classic St. Julien today. Has 10 years ahead of it. 93-94
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11/5/2017 - O'Meara Likes this wine:
This a great wine in a great spot. The color is still vibrant and a lovely hue of garnet. The nose is classic St Julien, wreaking of cedar, leather, and other tertiary notes, and no graphite to be found. Clearly StJ.
The fruit is upfront and still lively right upon opening, and then evolves for a few hours. There is some mintiness and pepper helping to provide lift to this savory wine. Cheers!
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10/6/2017 - Billigan Likes this wine: 91 Points
In a really nice spot. Lovely BDX nose with a strong earthy and leathery profile. Nicely matured, sweet red fruits on the palate, with a healthy dose of green pepper tartness to freshen things up the palate. nothing profound here, but a solid BDX experience from a wine that's squarely in the zone.
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9/12/2017 - Papies wrote: 93 Points
A year since we tried it last and with a few observation points over the last 4 years (92-93 range ) and this showed what a great wine and understated value Lagrange is. We even chose not to decant as we felt it did not need any help. Still very much alive and still full of fruit. Felt a lot younger on the fruit side than a 1996 especially comparing it with Pontet Canet 96 (Papies 92_) we had side by side. Such a great wine and in this 8th tasting we have had of it remained consistent. 93+
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8/10/2017 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 92 Points
Nose of barnyard, grilled bell pepper, black berry, black currants, saddle leather, and black cherry, same on the palate, big body, the barnyard and bell pepper drive the wine tonight, tasty, mouth filling fruit, and a long, flavorful finish and aftertaste.
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8/7/2017 - tomlee wrote: 93 Points
Crimson in color. 13% ABV. Stunning nose of red fruits, cigar box, leather and pencil shavings. Lush, rich and elegant. Medium body with moderate acidity and resolved tannins. Cherries, plums, currants and iron on the palate. The finish is long and silky. Just a gorgeous bottle of Bordeaux that is aging beautifully. Hard to imagine this wine gets better from here but well stored bottles will drink well for another 2-4 years.
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7/21/2017 - ONEFIVE Likes this wine:
Still appears youthful in the glass.
Bell pepper overwhelms the fruit, but there are still some sexy flavors going on here.
Is in a nice place at the moment but I'd wait another 5 years to let it develop more intriguing characteristics.
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6/30/2017 - Fred_Bo Likes this wine: 93 Points
This was pure enjoyment bottled!
This is one of the best price quality ratios you get in Bordeaux!
Pops of to eucalyptus, menthol, pencil shapings, meat and a dusty chesterfield chair. Magical!
This is prime drinking at the moment at top of the peak. But one is never static, so it would be fun to drink in 20 years time and see the development!
Drink now or hold for another decade
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5/28/2017 - MrBrege wrote: 92 Points
Pnp and left in glass for half an hour. Still right in its drinking window, fresh but also mature with some tertiary notes, will not improve from here but should stay at this level for a few years but no more. 92-93
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5/19/2017 - Dragzworthy Likes this wine: 90 Points
Cork completely disintegrated despite my best efforts which had my fearing the wine was in a fragile state, but thankfully not - still drinking very well and a decent amount of fruit (blackberries)for such and old Bordeaux. Quite acidic and tannic still, decent amount of Brett.
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5/8/2017 - VinCrush Likes this wine: 91 Points
Nice well-aged Bordeaux at a good spot in its drinking window. It provided all of the dark fruits, earthiness, and cigar box that I would expect... but was a little heavier than expected on the green vegetation. Body-wise, it was right on with a medium-full body, nice smooth tannins, and still enough acidity to keep it fresh. All-in-all, quite good, but not great due to the green undertones. www.vincrush.com
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5/3/2017 - Remedy Likes this wine:
Drank at Chateau Lagrange Wine Dinner
Matthieu Bordes favourite vintage.
Very nice complexity. drinking superbly now.
Tobacco, Cigar box, nice fruits.
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4/23/2017 - davergny Likes this wine: 92 Points
Good bottle, same notes as previous. Just didn't excite me as much this time.
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4/22/2017 - yossarian.livez wrote: 91 Points
Green pepper, a touch of nuttiness, gravel, with still plenty of bright acid and reddish fruit. Good depth. Medium plus finish. Tasted blind, guessed L bank.
Certainly more depth and transparency with this compared with Leoville Poyferre from the same vintage, but less concentration and finish not as good. But again way more depth. Way more drinkable.
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4/22/2017 - Keeping It Real wrote: 92 Points
WineLA event: Bordeaux vs. Cabernet tasting (Los Angeles, CA): Tasted blind. Brown bricking with sediment. Nose is that good ole barnyard funk, and some almonds. This is actually quite big on the palate, compared to the other old bordeaux. Lots of secondary flavors coming out on this one.
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4/9/2017 - SonnyChiba wrote: 91 Points
Classic mature Bordeaux notes, good amount of fruit and richness to it. Elegant wine. Definitely in a nice spot for drinking. Needed 30 min or so to blow off some funk.
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3/31/2017 - chris149uk wrote: flawed
Lunch at Pied a Terre, London. 1996 Lagrange from auction purchase faulty.
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3/25/2017 - rossi.wine wrote: 92 Points
Generous and open on the nose. Ripe fruit, grilled herbs, spices, tobacco, smoke. Well integrated tannins providing structure without being obtrusive. Fine fruit, nice acidity. Well balanced and rather long. Drinking very well, but no rush. 91-93
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2/25/2017 - O'Meara Likes this wine:
Ready for business. Pop, pour, sip, smile.
If you are compelled to save for a few more years, I would guess there is at least five years left in the plateau...maybe more. The color is still vibrant, the fruit still fresh.
I have a case left, but not for long!
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2/5/2017 - Fred_Bo Likes this wine: 90 Points
Tasted blind at X-wine Competition at Chateau Figeac.
The nose was revealing hints of gravel, menthol, eucalyptus and red berries.
The palate was rather closed but developed as the glass got warmer. The gravel and meatiness evolved into a beautiful bouquet of flowers, curred BBQ, menthol and oak. Very beautiful for a wine with some age.
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1/25/2017 - Harley1199 Likes this wine:
Enofusión 2017; 1/23/2017-1/25/2017 (IFEMA - Madrid): Aged to perfection. It's still a fresh wine. I think it's a blast right now, but it still has a catch. On the nose, roses predominate. Tar in the mouth? There is nothing at all. It is round but soft, with a complex structure and acidity, both. I think it's one of the best sample for anyone who wants to get close to a mature Bordeaux. An accessible St Julien. As it should be.
Envejecida como toca. Tiene frescura todavía. Me parece una gozada ahora mismo aunque le queda tralla todavía. En nariz predominan las rosas. Alquitrán en boca? No tiene nada de nada. Esta redondo pero con suavidad, estructura compleja y acidez. Me parece de lo mejor para quién quiera acercarse a un Burdeos maduro. Un St Julien accesible. Como debe ser.
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1/6/2017 - Big Bad Voodoo Daddy Likes this wine: 93 Points
Popped and poured, and drank over 2 hours. Fully mature Bordeaux and in the best drinking window for me - settled, with tertiary notes, but still some oomph of fruit remaining. Will hold for 5 more years if you like more finesse and less power.
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12/26/2016 - SonnyChiba wrote: 92 Points
As others have pointed out, best at about 20-30 min of air, and holds for about an hour or two. Aged just right, with good balance of fruit and secondary flavors. Very classic in style. Nose and palate dominated by red cherry licorice, sweet tobacco, and herbs. At 20 years old, great spot for drinking now and likely ok over the next few years.
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12/16/2016 - galewskj wrote: 92 Points
Luis Tilia WTDS plus Happy Birthday to Gary and Me (Tilia): Decanted 40 minutes, then brought to a tasting and shared with 7 others. This is old-school Bordeaux through-and-through, including it's rather lackluster palate compared to the spectacular nose. Some fruit left, but not much. Mostly secondary and tertiary qualities.
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11/13/2016 - macaujames Likes this wine: 92 Points
It has aromas of camphor, blue fruits, flowers, plums, cedar, leather and cassis. This was pure elegance on the layered longilinear yet concentrated and opulent 1996 style blue fruited palate with cedary hints. Ends long, aristocratic and flowery. This has understated opulence and wonderful balance. Can be kept for a long time.
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10/25/2016 - The Vines That Bind wrote: 92 Points
1996 Bordeaux Blind: Lovely nose, minty and menthol. Ferns. Some cinnamon with raspberry and blueberry underneath. Good palate, juicy flavor, balance, and that same tingling mint through a high acid finish. Technically very good.
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6/25/2016 - Papies wrote: 92 Points
Took a good 30 minutes of decanting to get into its full stride. Maybe a bit of bottle variation here this time round but a very solid 92-93 performance in line with our previous 7 (yes seven) encounters over the last 3 years. This continues to perform well and is as we usually say an arbitrage in quality vs price. 92
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6/3/2016 - bureau Likes this wine:
Bravo. Decant for half hour max otherwise the fruit will dissipate and balance lost. At this stage the Tannins are fine, sour fruits blossoming. Suggest couple of years left to drink at (near) its best.
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4/29/2016 - Paul D wrote:
Bordeaux Wimps (La Trompette, Chiswick): Mature, cedary, gently savoury, black and red berry fruit, touch of earth, very fine tannins, good length finish. Very good indeed. ***
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4/10/2016 - redders Likes this wine: 92 Points
mid red no brown. Mid weight nose developing secondary aromas. Very elegant fruit and cedar, mid weight at first followed by a burst of flavour , but all in balance. Very good wine
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3/11/2016 - BenBlu Likes this wine: 93 Points
This wine had stiff competition this evening being "wedged" in between a wonderful Clerc Milon 1990 and a Las Cases 1990. Very very slight TCA, which was so mild that I will discount this entirely and certainly this is an issue with this particular bottle... Great wine, which was looking incredibly youthful, stark in contrast of colour to a ruby Clerc Milon (the Clerc Milon I though looked youthful for a 26 year old, but then comes along this 20 year old that looks like a 5 year old). Very nice fruit showing the longer the wine got air (decanted for 1.5 hours prior to tasting, ideally give this 5 hours before consuming). This wine will last another 2 decades and will reach full maturity in around 5+ years. Definitely one to seek out at a reasonable price. Not as good as the 1990 Lagrange, but still a winner!
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2/13/2016 - blanquito wrote: 92 Points
Just like in 2014, this takes until day 2 to hit its stride. At this point, it showcases classy, sweet cabernet fruit with distinct notes of smoky poblano pepper, mint, and incipient cedar. Beautiful bouquet. Only medium bodied with excellent brightness and grip, the tannins could use a few more years to soften out. This was a bit disappointing on day 1, overly weedy and thin, but day 2 shows what this beautiful northern Medoc wine can do in a strong year. 92-93 pts.
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2/6/2016 - grapist Likes this wine: 92 Points
Finally showing some age. Otherwise, hitting on all cylinders. Rich and elegant.
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1/29/2016 - Jeff Leve wrote: 91 Points
Fully mature and showing quite well with its tobacco, cigar box, cedar, leaf and cassis charms, there is nice, spice and fresh component in the finish giving it lift and length. The wine was produced from a blend of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot and 7% Petit Verdot.
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12/31/2015 - DaleW wrote:
From magnum this is young but approachable, cassis and tobacco (both cured and green), some tannins but rather smooth ones, full and long. With time some more coffee/mocha notes, this is a winner. A-
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12/28/2015 - joshbryer wrote:
Nor formal notes, but very nice wine with dinner as commented by all. It was served well by about 45-60 minutes of decanting, but didn't need much more. Very classic aromatics of cedar, graphite, dark red fruits straight out of the gate, later picked up a bit of green pepper nose. Absolutely sauve profile with tertiary components kicking in, structure still present on the finish. Fruit profile was rich and had nice depth. Not earth shattering but absolutely a lovely bottle and great value. This feels like it's entering peak and judging by this should be staying there for a while.
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11/14/2015 - FastTrack wrote: 93 Points
2011 I wrote: nose shows coffee, oak, mocha. Full, creamy but mature palate, full of black fruits with plenty of extract. Roasted berries, black cherry and blackcurrant fruit character. Today the wine shows the same characteristics ... but with more (still fresh and crispy) maturity, power and density. Still gets better year by year.
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10/24/2015 - davergny Likes this wine: 93 Points
Wowsa! Lots of cedar, dark red berries, leather & wood spice in this rich but balanced St. Julien. Seems to be at peak, still some very fine tannin, a little tar on the finish. Very nice!
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9/20/2015 - Papies wrote: 93 Points
From a beautiful magnum and double decanted for like 1.5 hours. Need some aeration to develop but a good 15-20 minutes will do. Light sediment so one needs to take a bit of care.
We have commented on this wine numerous times always rating it 92-93. We continue to say that this is a gem of classic Bordeaux wine making and an arbitrage of quality vs price. A magnificent wine and must buy more. Feels at peak at this stage but with legs to last a few more years. 93+
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8/21/2015 - MichielV wrote: 91 Points
w veal chop. Great medium weight bdx with all the characteristics. Mature brick color but still with life. Good fruit on nose. Palate wonderful mature. This will live! Nice to have waited.
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8/7/2015 - Pknut wrote:
Should have been better, but was marred by excessive Brett that obscured the black fruit underneath. Union Sq. Cafe.
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7/30/2015 - Papies wrote: 92 Points
5 times in 2 years. 3x 92s and 2x93s. Dont think we need to say more.. Previous TNs hold.
Pls decant for like 30-40 minutes. 92
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7/30/2015 - Burgnick Likes this wine: 92 Points
This has everything it takes to be a good textbook mature bordeaux. The nose had some wet forest floor, wild berries, cigar box, pencil shaving and sweetness. The palate was smoothe and sweet. Although its not tremendouly complex, its drinking in an amazing window now. I would drink this now and 5 years onward. It was less powerful than 2000 Lagrange but the smootheness and elegance of this were better.
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6/18/2015 - Papies wrote: 93 Points
Probably the best bottle we have had of this to date (So far we rated this 92).
Decabted and served. Needs a touch of decanting to open up but not much. Glorious, classic claret full of character and elegance. Still on th efruit, yeat with an earthy, leathery side, cedar, tobacco and just excellent. A touch dry on the finish but vs price this is superb value. 93 and full of life.
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6/4/2015 - alabunka wrote: 93 Points
recently acquired and well worth the price - excellent Bordeaux that id drinking very well now - when initially opened it was too acidic - it needs time to open up even after decanting. After a good hour of aeration - the medium tannins and the complexity of flavor came through; a wonderful wine and an excellent companion to food and on its own.
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4/18/2015 - DaleW wrote:
With some time in the decanter this is showing quite well. Cassis and black cherry, a little mocha, incipient cedar. Nice acid/tannin/fruit balance, nice length. To me this is beginning to drink well with air, no hurry. A-/B+
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3/28/2015 - Musser wrote: 90 Points
Still solid and should hold for years to come. Decanted for an hour. Still smooth . 4 more bottles to check out over the next few years YEE!
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3/16/2015 - Pknut wrote:
I've followed this wine since its infancy, and this bottle exhibited a decline in the fruit since the last bottle six months ago. Notable decline in power since the last time. Sugarmen and MS at Racines.
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2/16/2015 - Papies wrote: 92 Points
Another consistent beautiful performance. This wine remains one fo the true gems across vintages and this 1996 once again delivered. Well aged claret , probably now at peak. We have spoken at large aboput this wine and we continue to applaud it. Will buy more. Classic Claret lovers look no further for great value.
Nicol 92 / Andreas 93 - 92 then as the boss always wins.
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2/1/2015 - pavel_p wrote: 91 Points
Another chance of retrying the 96 Lagrange. Poured into decanter and drank over several hours. While this bottle tasted a tick fresher than the last one, for me this is a wine that has peaked. It's certainly not going to fall off the cliff, and intact this still has some fine but dusty tannins, I do not see enough fruit to avoid a gradual decline from here. Also slight oxidation notes emerge among the leather and tobacco after about 2h in the decanter in a warm room. Drink up
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1/13/2015 - MC wrote:
This was lighter in color and a bit thin out of the bottle vs. a 96 Lynch Bages next to it. But with about and hour of air it really came into its own, and at 90 minutes this was very good, showing dark fruits, earth, nice body, and a long finish. The more air it had, the better it was - a steal for the price. A-/A
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12/29/2014 - pavel_p Likes this wine: 91 Points
Bottle in excellent condition with in neck fill and barely stained cork. PnP. Needed perhaps 30 min in the open bottle to gain weight. Initially plenty of cedar, then sous bois and dark berries on the nose. Plenty of leather and tobacco on the palate together with some remaining dark fruit. Fine to medium tannins. Medium finish. Based on these recent bottles would recommend to drink up in the next couple years as there is not much fruit left to age for much longer.
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11/30/2014 - DrinkBordeaux wrote: 91 Points
Still nice ruby color with some lightening at the edges. Nose was initially with strong animal and meaty notes, but this softened up after an hour. Nose exhibited blackcurrant, wet earth, cedar, cinnamon, and leather. Medium bodied. Round tannins, well-integrated. Medium finish. Firm structure should make this drink well for several more years.
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11/28/2014 - blanquito wrote: 90 Points
This begins in a worrisome fashion, showing weedy and lean. Very different from the last time I had this, something like 4 years ago, when it was a still stolid and mute. It is now much more aromatic, with herbs and green notes, followed by a bright and thin palate... On Day 2, this pulls itself together with a fresh, intriguing bouquet of cedar, black currants and wintergreen. The palate has sweetened and deepened as well, but this is at most a medium bodied wine, with evident acidity and fading tannins. This has entered maturity, but for my money, it will probably continue to improve as Day 2 showed. 90 pts today, but it could climb into the 92 pt range in time.
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11/24/2014 - MRichman wrote:
Dark, smoky with tacky oak and broad acid, mineral, iron. Long burnt oaky finish. Some herb, cedar, tar, a little lean. Early drinking window. Good but lacks panache.
B
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11/22/2014 - JeremyQ Likes this wine: 92 Points
A lovely bottle, still drinking young considering its 18 years old
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11/21/2014 - redders Likes this wine: 91 Points
still deep colour. Very smooth both on nose and palate. Velvet mouthfeel good depth and hints of cedar and tobacco. Lovely now but will keep
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11/16/2014 - kfinsrud wrote: 88 Points
Drukket over 2 dager. Halve flasken dekantert 2 timer på dag 1. Rubinrød med lilla innslag på farge. Åpner med tung overvekt av sedertre. Det er vanskelig å finne noe utover dette på en medium (+) intens nese. Slikt sett virker vinen ganske endimensjonal. Det pleier på bdx å ligge noe mer bak; f.eks solbær, blyantspiss eller sigarkasse. Bra syrestruktur og grei lengde. Svakt tørrende finish. Tanninene er der, men klart tilgjengelige. Noe frukt kjennes i munnen som ikke finnes på nese; de etterlengtede solbærene (cassis). Jeg ble skuffet over vinen tatt i betraktning årgang, slott og appelasjon (St. Julien). Den utviklet seg ikke positivt med mer luft utover kvelden, ble bare flatere. På dag 2 (kun luftet i flaske) er vinen litt mer positiv da den utviser ørlite mer på nese (urter bl.a) og drar på seg litt kompleksitet, uten å nå de store høyder. Passet utmerket til mat i form av biff, jordskokkpure og bearnaise samt lammegryte på dag 2. Har en flaske til, venter 3-5 år med den.
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11/9/2014 - Purple Tooth wrote: 93 Points
Another great Lagrange that is supposed to be way more tired than it is. As a matter of fact, if this bottle was human, I would say she's 35! No ambering, thick and vibrant appearance..In the mouth there is no mistake that this is a an old French wine in the likes of Bordeaux and possibly a killer Cdp from the likes of Pegau. The wine had minimal sweetness of melted red fruit, cradled by old cedar, underbrush and forest mushrooms. Attractive super acidity kept things very fresh and bright...Long life ahead, though I think that it is at its close to pleasure prime, because of the lightness in fruit.
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10/12/2014 - Rieslingfan wrote:
When I first opened this I was not sure if it was correct. An hour later whatever bottle funk it had blew off, revealing a somewhat oaky, but still very engaging Bordeaux. Not terribly fruity, it showed leather, deep earth, some dark fruit but a more meaty element than fruity. It made a good match with our beef stew, and that's what really matters.
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9/24/2014 - Pknut wrote:
About 2.5 years since my last bottle. This has condensed inward and lost much of its mass. It still shows red-to-black fruit like red currant, the tannins are fine and softening, and the wine is more streamlined than in the past. As it has reduced its mass, it has not yet taken on much in the way of secondary development. The structure, though, has softened, only to firm up again somewhat as the wine airs. Went very nicely with veal steaks off the bbq. Erev Rosh In New City.
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8/16/2014 - spatchmo2 wrote: 93 Points
Great wine. Still has time left. Decant 3 plus hours. Great earth and terroir. Classic Bordeaux.
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6/28/2014 - Milos Likes this wine: 91 Points
This wine is approaching prime drinking window. Needed about an hour in the glass to open up fully. Dark red and blue fruits dominate the nose with touch of spice, tobacco and cinnamon adding complexity. Moderate balanced finish. Very easy to enjoy.
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6/13/2014 - Papies wrote: 92 Points
Requires a touch of decanting, 30 mins helped for sure as the wine was very tight on open. Post this it was an old school well made claret, albeit at times rustic and with a grippy tannin only 1996 could produce. Still the fruit is there, the nose opened nicely and was just the treat. Very good old school claret and very good value for money. 92 and drinks well now and with a good 10 yrs of good life in it at least.
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5/5/2014 - Rogershkg wrote: 91 Points
Drinking well. Dark colour. Nose not particularly prominent. Taste full with dark fruit a little spice and maybe tobacco. Long taste
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4/20/2014 - mikekeane wrote: 94 Points
Nez de cuir. Intensite moyenne. Belle longueyr. Assez soutenu. A son appogee. Superbe bouteille !
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4/5/2014 - Goldstone Likes this wine: 88 Points
My Birthday Dinner (Crown Wine Cellars, 18 Deep Water Bay Drive, Shouson Hill, Hong Kong): Paired with a 1996 Ch Talbot. More purple in colour and more opaque than the Talbot. Nose is quite reticent and restrained but clear and well-delinated....still young. Palate is sharp, fresh, very alive, good acidity, medium middle, dry chalky end. Tannic and acidic but in a feminine way that bodes better for the future. Nose stayed very reticent throughout the night. Still in its truculent stage.....which I think reflects the very traditional and late-to-evolve approach at Lagrange. A lot less open than when I last drank it in 2009. The Ch. Talbot totally overshadowed it tonight.
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4/4/2014 - portman63 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Showing mostly minerality on nose and in front/mid palate; some black currant still mid-palate to finish which was a little short. Still very good, but I think it is now past peak and in slight decline although it might depend on the bottle based on other reviews.
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3/25/2014 - Rezy13 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Tuesday Night Double Blind $40+ (Bin 75): Dense core with moderate bricking, sediment; Bordeaux-yes!, funk, cedar, tobacco, gravelly soil, well drained, rusty note; dense and rich palate, noble, red currant, some tannin but obviously softer from the age; delicious, drinking great now.
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2/20/2014 - GA Old World Guy Likes this wine: 93 Points
Really enjoyed this wine. Giving off great fruit with nice smooth tannins. Had at a Business Dinner along with the 95 Lagrange and numerous other Bordeaux's from various vintages. Received a few votes for Wine of the Night. Can't wait to have another bottle.
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2/16/2014 - pavel_p wrote: 90 Points
Did not like this wine as much as a year ago, also seemed much more developed than the earlier bottle(s). High fill bottle with good cork. Poured into decanter and drank over perhaps 1.5h. Did not really need a long decant this time. Berries, sous-bois and cedar - infact a bit too much of the later for my taste. Medium finish.
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1/19/2014 - 82Latour wrote: 91 Points
Mid-ripe wine with terrific balance, but the red fruit is jumping out (strawberry?) of the wet earth and birch. Bret on the nose like most of the mid-90s Lagrange. Not sure it justifies its premium, but awesome nonetheless.
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1/18/2014 - FastTrack wrote: 91 Points
Gets better every year
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11/28/2013 - BradE wrote:
Decent. Needed a lot of air time.
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11/22/2013 - Rogershkg wrote: 91 Points
Colour good ruby, no brown. Nose typical cabernet. Full body. Everybody really liked it. I think it is about as good as it will be
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11/19/2013 - MedocMad wrote: 92 Points
Drank at Manchester Offliner Nov 2013
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11/8/2013 - wurzel68 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Tief purpurrot; intensive, funkige Noten von Tabak, Bitterschokolade, dunklen Beeren, Erde, elegant und gleichzeitig "wild at heart"; mittlerer Körper, etwas bitter, kräftige Tannine, leicht säuerlich-zehrende Note im Abgang; aber ein Bordeaux, der jetzt Spaß macht!
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10/24/2013 - Malibu wino Likes this wine: 92 Points
Fully integrated, velvet tannins. Delicious Cab. No need to wait, this is firing on all cylinders. A solid value, will buy more when it pops up.
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10/19/2013 - Rogershkg wrote: 92 Points
- Ruby color and aromas of blackberry and black currant and has flavours of black currant.
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10/19/2013 - Rogershkg wrote:
- Ruby color and aromas of black currant and blackberry and has flavours of blackberry with a medium finish.
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10/17/2013 - Rogershkg wrote:
- Purple color and aromas of tea. It's balanced and has flavours of cedar with a medium body. Smooth texture with a long finish.
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9/1/2013 - redders Likes this wine: 92 Points
Mid red classic St Julien nose with the depth and structure of the vintage. Palate even better. Now singing with classic cabernet fruit and structure with velvet touches and great mouthfeel. This is really good now and will keep.
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7/12/2013 - aagrawal wrote: 92 Points
Pop and pour; Ruby with just a hint of bricking, still quite a youthful color but appropriate for its age; nose is classic old school bordeaux with earth, cedar, integrated red and black fruits, undertones of minerality (common in St. Julien), no overt vegetal notes but just a hint of mushroom or truffle; palate is medium-full bodied, still quite structured with juicy tannins (not dried out or harsh), good cherry and blackberry fruit, very fresh overall with good acidity, nice delineation of flavors, some clean minerality on the palate as well, moderate complexity; finish is medium-long length with some slight tobacco. This is an excellent wine with a real sense of place: has the St. Julien medium-full body but also elegance, great acidity, crisp transitions between different phases of the palate, great balance, and distinct minerality. The only thing it lacks is the little bit extra complexity and unique character that the best St. Julien chateaux have (Leoville Barton, Poyferre, etc). Still, this is excellent value and a well made wine drinking at its early window. Should drink well over the next 15 years. 92
Update: With 30 minutes of air this knits together well, a lovely wine. Nose is starting to develop some lovely vegetal character with some asparagus. Glad I have more.
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6/14/2013 - Papies wrote: 92 Points
Another beautiful show. This chateau continues to deliver great value for money wines and especially this old school 1996 is such a beauty to enjoy now.
Needs 30 mins of decanting, light sediment, but decenting is to help it develop. Post that it is home all the way. The colour shows the age at times. The nose is as classical bdx as it gets with , spice, cedar earthy and leathery notes ( very nice) . On the palate again old school, secondary now, but still with good st julien fruit density. Could use a bit more depth and finish but this takes nothing away. The tanins are mellow now and thus no issues here either and the wine feels well rounded. Drinks very nicely now but with decent life ahead. 92-93
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4/28/2013 - johnh1001 wrote: 91 Points
Surprisingly vibrant. Bright red and black fruit, smoke, asphalt and cedar. Sweet and silky. Some coffee. Medium+ smooth finish.
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3/30/2013 - pavel_p Likes this wine: 92 Points
Decanted for about 45 min but needs longer to entirely open up. Garnet with some browning at the rim. Beautiful wine, reminds me of the 96 Pape Clement, same quality but even better value here. Very earthy, sous bois, spices, a little barnyard, unlike recent Lagrange vintages only a touch of cedar. Medium body with fantastic balance. Fine to medium tannis. Medium plus finish.
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3/15/2013 - Papies wrote: 93 Points
Requires a bit of decanting to smooth out the edges. On the nose it screams am an old school well made bordeaux. Red fruits to start with cedar, herby, and develops secondary notes as it evolves with a lovely earthy character. On the palate it is lively, medium bodied and feels right to have now although it will last for a long time. Good value, proper wine and a chateau to look out for. We would agree that this is a smart buy.
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3/10/2013 - MrBrege wrote: 93 Points
Eight hours slow-oxed. Nose on the light side this time, but very pleasent; black currents, gravel and distinct pencil shavings. Very intense flavours though, everything coming through in terrific harmony, finish is long, balance between fruit and acidity is great, tannins are smooth and well integrated. Again I am surprised that this is quite so good. Really great value!
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3/6/2013 - MattTM wrote:
La Commanderie de Bordeaux: Chateau Lagrange Vertical (Bishop's - Vancouver, BC): A bit restrained on the nose, but with some coaxing opens up to display lead pencil, earth, rich black fruits, cedar, and some tart red cherry. Some sweet cassis on the palate, along with rich dark fruits, cedar, black pepper spice, red cherry, and saline. Moderate structure, with a medium length finish ending on notes of graphite and red cherry. Quite shy on the nose with some underlying sweetness, but full and rich on the palate. This could use a few years to flesh out and come into balance, but will improve with patience. Very good.
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2/2/2013 - MrBrege wrote: 93 Points
Opened early in the morning and let stand all day, without decanting. Tasted alongside the 1998, which I quite like. Magnificently intense, rich nose, making the -98 seem awfully plain. Raspberries primarily, also red and black currents and just a hint of cedar wood. Fabulous balance, fruit on the attack but far from as pronounced as I expected, mid-palate follows up with fresh acidity that stays with you into the long finish when the tannins make themselves known, not yet on the retreat. It is beautiful and intense. This wine has many years ahead of it, but it is very good now, I am not going to wait.
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1/20/2013 - Preed wrote: 92 Points
Delicious saint Julien. Drinking well now. Could still age but why wait. Tabacco and casis on the nose with smooth tannins.
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1/12/2013 - jpaul1 Likes this wine: 92 Points
This was in a very nice place last night. Beautiful ruby red color with up front nose of liquorice and game. A touch of mint came through as the wine evolved in the glass. Silky smooth well integrated wine. Very enjoyable now.
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1/3/2013 - djs wrote: 95 Points
Dark ruby to the rim. Aromatic, with lots of ceder, dark fruit. Highly concentrated with perfect acidity, full body, resolved tannin, long finish. Will last another 10 years at least. Drank with rib roast mostly at cellar temp.
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12/25/2012 - Dorset Iain wrote: 92 Points
Opened & decanted 2 hours before drinking. Some farmyard and straw on the nose and then good length with red fruit to taste. A top Bordeaux that went very well with the Christmas goose.
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12/22/2012 - jswine15 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Drinking well...a classic Bordeaux
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10/27/2012 - -Tim- wrote: 94 Points
Simply brilliant Bordeaux! Heavy concentrated kirsch in the nose and on the palate, also leather and oak. Very long finish. Will last at least another decade.
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8/8/2012 - redders wrote: 90 Points
Just coming into drinking window.Colour still hints of purple. Creamy fruit on nose some vanilla oak . Blackcurrant and cedar middleweight and lengthy finish. Good wine and may gather more excitement with time.
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7/21/2012 - Burgundy Al wrote: 90 Points
Another Saturday at Knightsbridge - mostly blind (Northbrook, IL): Tasted double blind. Plum, currant, cassis aromas. fresh, very forward. Moderate acidity, less than I'd expect from a good 1996 with a slight green edge.
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4/4/2012 - paulst wrote: 93 Points
Leather and smooth and austere with sweet lean but textured tannins; soft and supple; never ending finish.
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3/31/2012 - MichielV wrote: 91 Points
W venison from the land plus squash and brussels sprouts. Yummy dinner. Wine had great color and subtle nose.very fresh on thenpalate still. Plenty of fruit maybe a bit dry on the finish but this was very good, better than i remember. Wonderful long finish and fresh berry fruit. Needs indeed some hrs of decanting.
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3/24/2012 - Pknut wrote:
Yowza, this wine was firing tonight. Strong, forward palate featuring red currant, the fruit very focused and juicy. While the wine shows some softness and is approachable, the underlying structure is still firm. A very youthful showing. Perfect with filet off the grill, early spring bbq.
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3/7/2012 - kstoddard wrote: flawed
Corked
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3/7/2012 - LMK wrote: 90 Points
Decanted 2-3 hrs. Good nose, otherwise a simple wine. On 2nd day, it opened up even more and lost the initial tannins. Again the nose was the best part.
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2/17/2012 - pilot360 wrote:
Brought to a Cali cab tasting- was very different from the others. Benefited from a 2 hour decant, increased in depth during that time. Showed class.
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2/12/2012 - Saint Stephen wrote: 89 Points
I've had mixed results with this wine. From memory, a mature expressive nose outdueled the experience in the mouth. Very nice but a bit hollow/austere on the mid-palate. Served with potato leek soup, pan-seared filet, and live acoustic music.
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1/29/2012 - kamalp wrote:
- Ruby color with slow forming legs and aromas of tobacco and oak. It's balanced and has flavours of oak, raisin and black currant with a medium/full body. Leathery texture with a long finish.
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1/28/2012 - Mr T wrote:
slow oxed all day and then corked for a week b/c I was sick on the intended nights of drinking...opened following Thursday and lovely, fairly mature Bdx with tannin fairly resolved...full fruit and some cedar and smoke..$35 in the day was a very good value..window is open...certainly no rush
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1/28/2012 - MdCC wrote: 91 Points
Extremely fruity, quite fresh and young. Medium body , and lovely integration of acidity and tannins. Should be drink in next few years max. One could say it is too simple - but that is very nice simplicity.
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1/25/2012 - pappleby wrote:
Cassis, cigar box and pure mid life fruit droiven power. Excellent length and stunning character. Mike's 40th. Perfect foil for rack of lamb RW Jus and Dauphinoise. Plenty of tannins left- sweet and fine.
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1/24/2012 - ecola Likes this wine: 92 Points
Dirty dark berries and earthiness dominate. Drinking very nice right now. Still showing gripping tannins. Finishes with solid dark cherry flavor.
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10/6/2011 - pilot360 wrote:
Decant for about 2 hours, while drinking another wine, really needed this time to sharpen up and open. Most prominent character of the nose was hay (my favorite!), herbs d provencal, soil, green peppercorn, and black currant. Palate is smooth, tobacco, integrated, sweet tannins shows integrated oak. Did not find an abundance of fruit. I'll drink my last within a few years. Based on my two bottles I have tasted, I disagree with the View from the Cellar beginning drinking window and expected life of 2015-2050. Ready now.
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9/9/2011 - Pknut wrote:
I last opened this wine in 2/10, while working late on ovdp. I opened this bottle as I finished a long period of ovdi work. A bit of bottle funk quickly dissipates, and the first thing I noticed was the currant fruit, red and black, dark and juicy and appealing. The palate shows a roundness of age, the tannins softening, while the fruit is front and center. This is Bordeaux as I like it, softer with age, yet still with plenty of inner fortitude. Like a well-dressed, handsome man in his 50s, mellower than when in his 20's, but still a stud. Drinking very nicely.
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8/25/2011 - Dorset Iain wrote: 91 Points
Opened 2 hours before drinking & decanted. Initially tannic and vegetal to taste but opened up very well. Nose of straw and earth with with fruit coming through strongly to taste and a hint of liquorice. Good balance and length.
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7/31/2011 - Maestro wrote: 95 Points
Removed the cork in the morning and replaced it with a neutral cork. Served for dinner. Astonishing nose revealing tobacco, pencil lead, wet earth, creme de cassis and blueberries. On the palate it evolved through the night displaying more and more of its fruit, with a mouth-coating, perfectly balanced structure . The wine had also a very long and enticing finish. This is drinking beautifully now.
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7/18/2011 - joefel Likes this wine: 91 Points
Opened 2 hours before drinking, but left in bottle as we had no decanter on hand. Did not like the nose - something odd about it, but the flavor was delicious - dried red berries with some vegetative undertones. Medium body, surprisingly soft tannins, with a long finish.
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5/29/2011 - Saint Stephen wrote: 92 Points
Very nice with grilled strip steak and veggies, aged Vermont cheddar. Slightly more advanced than I would have expected, a medium garnet red color. Expressive, developed nose that is fairly secondary (pencil, smoke, cedar). Unless this bottle was non-representative I would suggest drinking in the next 5 years.
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5/20/2011 - ron m wrote:
Nice mature bordeaux. Deep ruby; ripe red fruit on the nose with barnyard notes; med-full bodied, rich mouthfeel plush and full with earth, tobbaco leaf, and licorice. Fruit a bit too faded. Medium finish. Solid wine, quite enjoyable.
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5/13/2011 - andtheodor wrote: 90 Points
Roasted poblano pepper, green peppercorn, slightly funky nose. Cedar, leafy tobacco, flowers on the palate. Light on fruit and long on green but pretty interesting and surprisingly enjoyable.
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4/17/2011 - FastTrack wrote: 90 Points
nose shows coffee oak, mocha. Full, creamy but mature palate, full of black fruits with plenty of extract. Roasted berries, black cherry and blackcurrant fruit character.
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4/5/2011 - BradE wrote:
In the drinking zone. Nice.
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3/25/2011 - MichielV wrote: 90 Points
With lamb chops and asparagus. Nose very nice not too big. Nice dark berry fruit, smoke, barnyard. Beautiful color, still quite young in color. On palate this was very good medium bodied but with good Bordeaux qualities. When it was open a bit longer it came to life. The finish is very nice and prolonged. This is drink now stage though. The fruit is there but may not stay around.
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3/19/2011 - Diane (LI) wrote:
I don't know why my expectations were low, but the wine far exceeded them. The nose was bell pepper, tobacco, and cedar. The tannins were soft, and it showed dark fruit and earth. The mid palate was shallow and the finish could have been longer, but this was an extremely satsifying wine.
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3/1/2011 - DaleW wrote:
I was surprised how open this showed when decanted, it closed up a bit by time it made to city, but still was drinking ok. There's still some primary fruit and oak notes, but the tannins are integrating, and I think this isn't that far from ready. Nice acids, some earth notes. B+
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2/28/2011 - MRichman wrote:
1996 Bordeaux Horizontal (Harry's, NYC): Blocky, dark tannins. Slightly hard plummy fruit, some herb and menthol. Young but drinking ok.
B/B+
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2/25/2011 - KeithAkers wrote: 92 Points
A few blind wines (my place): nose: balanced and aromatic nose that screamed bordeaux with tones of cedar box, tobacco, leather, dark red cherries, dark berries and tones of cassis. Very good depth with some real class behind it
taste: very good supporting tannins that are still showing themselves provide a good backbone for the wine. Medium/full bodied with medium+ acidity and classic tones of cedar box, tobacco, dark red cherries, cassis, and pencil lead tones
overall: there was no question what this was blind. Minimal bricking and more the color was a medium ruby color. This has a long way to go, but is drinking very nicely right now as well
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1/28/2011 - Wine Sparty wrote: 92 Points
Quite a bit of funk in the aroma upon opening. Decanted for approx. 1 hour before drinking, then drank over the next 2+ hours. Aroma initially had green pepper, but developed more into tobacco & leather, with a hint of coffee. Taste had some blueberry taste, as well as a hint of raspberry, along with earthiness. I would decant this for a couple hours before drinking if I had it again.
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12/25/2010 - mattwoolley wrote: 93 Points
Great bottle. Blackcurrant fruit amply supported by intense smoke, cloves, cedar, leather and tobacco. Elegant palate, savoury, depth of fruit, silken tannin and gentle spiciness on the long finish.
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11/27/2010 - bullmrkt wrote: flawed
Unfortunately, corked... Really disappointing. Looks like its a common problem with this bottle, buyers beware.
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11/26/2010 - paulst wrote: 91 Points
Suttle and austere; earthy with blackberry; complex; elegant; smooth finish.
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11/26/2010 - 1961Vintage wrote: 88 Points
Friend brought over bottle. Still too young...
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11/18/2010 - Paul D wrote: 90 Points
Decanted 1/2 an hour. Medium/deep ruby core, pale ruby rim. Nose initially showing blackcurrant, some nice development with hints of smoke, spice and gravel. Some creamy red fruit showing too. Medium plus bodied on the palate, this is elegant and refiined, slightly gravelly fruit, more red toned than the nose, with notes of cedar and vanilla. The tannins are almost integrated and it has good depth and a good length, if not exceptionally long finish. Very good, drinking well now but it may still have a bit of improvement in it. Next bottle 2/3 years.
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11/10/2010 - kenthargis wrote:
I agree with a recent reviewer that this had a bit of TCA. Was noticable upon opening and then when we came back to drink it two hours later. Wine was still fine and relatively enjoyable, but really didn't have the richness and flavors I've had in other bottles. Definitely shame.
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11/6/2010 - Nutty08 Likes this wine: flawed
San Antonio Wine Geeks - The Great Gathering (aka: Steak porn/Wine Orgy); 11/5/2010-11/6/2010 (The Home of Steve Treu): Very different than the other bottle I had 6mos ago and strikingly different than the ’00. Slight TCA, enough to flaw the wine, but not enough to tell that a pretty, probably mature wine was underneath. Shame.
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10/29/2010 - grapist wrote: 95 Points
A couple of hours in decanter and OMG, this is the real deal. Depth, complexity, balance, finish, mouth fieel...all top notch. Drinking perfectly right now. Avery fine, mature Bordeaux.
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10/24/2010 - GSW wrote: 89 Points
Very traditional Bordeaux. First of a case purchased as futures. About ready to drink. A little subdued in nose & palate, but enjoyable.
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8/1/2010 - paulst wrote: 94 Points
Leather, tar and rich blackberry; round and soft; rich tannins.
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7/11/2010 - tcfishler wrote:
Medium dark garnet red. Bell pepper and cedar on the medium ripe nose. Deliciously medium bodied serene yet undeniably concentrated with resolving tannins and integrating acids. This is easing into its drinking window.
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6/23/2010 - coremill Likes this wine: 89 Points
dark red color, nice complex nose of blackberry, dark cherry and plum, leather, and menthol. nicely poised on the palate, but this has an obtrusive salty note that i've not experienced before and that detracts from the enjoyment. good finish on this. and old-world styled bordeaux, this is not overpowering. there's still some tannin here, so it could last a bit longer, but drinking nicely right now.
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6/10/2010 - BradE wrote:
From 375. Pleasant, mature, and easy going.
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5/28/2010 - Nutty08 wrote: 92 Points
Beautiful expressive coffee, cedar, spice and flint on the nose. Palate is much less powerful, light to medium bodied, with solid cherry and cassis, a fantastic cigar box/spice note, and a touch of tobacco leaf. Medium length finish with cherry/licorice, lots of cedar wood and a touch of mocha. Some dry tannins on the finish. Medium weight and complexity, and well made. Lacks some "umph" in the mid palate, but is a very good enjoyable bdx, probably near or approaching peak.
After a few hours open, smoothed out some with the oak flavors integrating a little more. Didn't gain complexity, but became a more "complete" wine. (95 point nose though)
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5/23/2010 - paulst wrote: 92 Points
Tar, leather, earth and tobacco; sweet blackberry; nice length; greenish; somewhat unbalanced.
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4/12/2010 - graemeg Likes this wine:
NobleRottersSydney - Vintage Night 96-00 (Alio's, Surry Hills): [13%, cork] {Graeme} This garnet wine is rather more classical, with developing cigar-box, lead pencil and aging cassis aromas. A beautifully seductive nose. The palate is in line with the nose, perfectly balanced; a medium weight wine in every respect, with resolving chalky tannins, lovely length of flavour along the palate, and a gentle lingering finish. Archetypal Brodeaux.
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3/27/2010 - Impulse wrote: 92 Points
Nice and silky, at its peak, combines nice ripe fruit and tertiary flavours, all in harmony.
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3/22/2010 - WetRock wrote:
Eldon Dumps His Bordeaux (Wine Cellar Club, Irvine, CA): Expressive dense nose of lava rocks of red wood. Very stand up acids behind a juicy balanced palate that makes your brain stop and say 'nice' This was terrific
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3/11/2010 - Ho Bryan wrote:
Classic Bordeaux. A very sweet and fruity (but restrained) wine. Drinking beautifully now. Absolutely delicious. Ordering a half dozen.
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2/25/2010 - soyhead wrote: 88 Points
Mixed Bordeaux at PRIMA: nose - sour cherry, earth, mint
mouth - fully mature and ready to drink. Fruit punch essence with none of the sweet. Round mouthcoating tannins. Opened up nicely over the course of the evening. With a slightly fruitier attack this would be flat out delicious.
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2/10/2010 - Pknut wrote:
Red and black fruits, especially currants, on the palate, with light cedar and a slight hint of new leather. A Cab that, on the palate, shows less force and bulk, and more subtlety and elegance. Good subtle perfume on the nose. Soft tannins and vibrant, juicy acidity carry the wine. What's interesting is that even though there is average depth or richness to the midpalate, the finish and length are rather impressive. In a good place now, but I don't see the midpalate bulking up, nor gaining much depth, even while the acidity, length and finish suggest that there is still a ways to go on this wine.
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1/23/2010 - Whistler wrote: 92 Points
Black cherries and cedar on the nose, if a little muted. More generous and giving on the palate. Very structured and delineated - shows its pedigree. Yet, the finish is still closed to some degree. This will be a long-lived wine and is yet to peak. Will try again in 2-3 years but may need longer.
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12/20/2009 - Millercg68 wrote: 89 Points
I have to lower my rating on this bottle. It's a bit thin in the mid palette and doesn't have the complexity I would expect from a wine like this. Still good, but not noteworthy.
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11/28/2009 - SteelerFan wrote: 88 Points
Decanted for 3 hours. Enjoyable, maturing bordeaux. Quite lean and austere, without the complexity I was hoping for. It may improve with more time, but I found it somewhat closed and lacking roundness.
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11/20/2009 - Millercg68 wrote: 91 Points
Nice wine. Smooth velvety and balanced. Not a knock your socks off wine, but well worth it. Finish goes on for 30-45 seconds.
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11/7/2009 - Nanda wrote: 93 Points
One of my favorite estates. Killer wide open, knock you down St. Julien smoky, tobacco, mineral, cedary nose. Full bodied in the mouth with grippy tannins providing a great mouth feel. Long finish. Drinking fabulously with a 4 hour decant.
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9/17/2009 - KeithAkers wrote: 92 Points
The Grand Crew- French Wines 10 years and older (Lockwood Restaurant, Chicago IL): nose: classic tones of cedar, tobacco, black currants, dark red cherries, and sour cranberries with some spice box tones. Much different on the nose then the previous 96 lagrange as it had a more classic 96 nose that is just pure unadulterated bordeaux. Great balance on the nose with great depth
taste: excellent full body with good tannins and tones of cedar, tobacco, dark red cherries, sour cranberries, and a good helping of currants and spice box tones with a touch of leather
overall: still comes off as a bit young as the color is a good dark ruby color. The tannins didn't seem to bite as much as they did previously. Good body and very classic bordeaux, this has an elegance to it, that needs some time to get out
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8/29/2009 - Goldstone wrote: 92 Points
Angela's Birthday Party (Crown Wine Cellars, Hong Kong): Decanted for 4 hours. Deep red colour getting towards translucent at the edges. Nose is fairly reticent and initially marked by pencil lead then with big brambles/blackberries coming through on the back end of the nose. Initial opening hit on the palate of perfectly resolved very intense blackberries and a touch of redcurrents. High acidity but not overly so and sugues into great length and a very persistent but light resonance in your head on the finish. Feminine in character and quite lovely.
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8/28/2009 - ctwomey wrote:
Pulled the cork and it totally disintegrated. Fill was excellent so I was hopefully the wine would be all right and it was. I was in the Chateau only a couple of weeks previously and had been told that a number of 1996 bottles had poor corks. This was the second last of a case and it was the first to be like this. Colour is a little advanced for it's age. I had a 1996 Chateau Kirwan the previous night and it was extremely youthful. This however felt like it had another 15 years on it as the rim was quite translucent.
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8/19/2009 - paulst wrote: 94 Points
Smooth soft silky blackberry with soft clean finish.
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8/11/2009 - paulst wrote: 94 Points
Leather, earth, cherry, blackberry, soft sweet tannins.
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7/19/2009 - Nanda wrote: 94 Points
Drinking just awesome. Full nose of cassis, mineral, tobacco and green herbs. Palate shows medium rich fruit with gritty tannins providing balance. A classy St. Julien that is giving a ton of pleasure. Delicious with grilled rib eyes.
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7/14/2009 - tbabes wrote: 94 Points
The fill was into the neck and the cork was sound; opened about 1 hour prior to dinner, no decant. A pretty purple-ruby color with no signs of amber. A serious boquet of black fruits, forrest floor, and cedar; a hint of mineral / menthol emerges with airing. Medium-bodied, with good concentration of fruit; classic structure, with firm, ripe tannins and good focus on the long and complex finish. Will continue to improve, but drinking wonderfully at present.
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6/21/2009 - the godfather wrote: 89 Points
very lightly styled
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6/15/2009 - CSteefel wrote: 92 Points
We drank that at Ruth Chris's Steak House shortly after our 1996 Left Bank Bordeaux horizontal. This showed as well as many of the wines (even if not tasted on the same evening), being bested maybe only by the Pichon Lalande and Ducru Beaucaillou. Very fresh, lively, with tobacco and cedar notes, and excellent flavor intensity.
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6/13/2009 - KeithAkers wrote: 92 Points
judgment of chicago-California Cabs vs Bordeaux (Chicago IL, Ward's): nose: real attractive cedary backdrop on the nose with well balanced tones of red cherries, tobacco, red and black currants, bits of spice box and some slight tones of mint. Good power behind it too with excellent tones on top of cedar. The french oak is present, but its not in the way that the american oak was with the previous wine
taste: good firm tannins and a medium/full feel. This comes across as extremely young with rich tones of red cherries, red fruits, red and black currants and some bits of spice box
overall: this certainly still comes across as not yet ready for primetime. Well balanced and defined, this came across as a more classically styled california cab, so it was surprising that it came from the 96 vintage in bordeaux as I could see a 95 more showing like this. Its still a good 5-8 years away IMO from being at its peak and should be a real lovely lagrange when it fully comes around
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6/6/2009 - pea wrote: 91 Points
classic
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5/23/2009 - Paul S wrote: 90 Points
1996 left-bank Bordeaux tasting with lots more (Richfield, Lam Soon Building, Singapore): Strange little wine - started off poorly, got better, got really quite good, and then tailed off rather quickly. Nose had a pungent, barnyardy component to it at first that took awhile to blow off. When it did, it was really quite attractive - pain grille, lots of fruit sweetness in dark cherry and cassis tones, leather notes and damp leaves. The leathery accents continued on to the palate too. It was the first thing that hit me, along with some toast and smoked notes and then crystallined cherry fruit. Not the most structured of the wines we had, which migt be expected, but the wine had very masculine flavours for a St Julien. On the first few sips, the wine faded quite dramatically at the mid-palate, leaving the finish a little lightweight and disjointed, with a touch of bitterness, but that filled out nicely with sweetish fruit and more cherry tones. Almost merlot-ish for some reason. When it hit its peak though, it came across a lot more integrated, more substantial and pretty enjoyable. Probably one of the better Lagranges that I have had. Pity it faded again rather quickly.
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3/13/2009 - DJenkins wrote: 90 Points
Still quite austere, but just entering its' drinking window. Years ahead of it. Very good after a long decant
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2/2/2009 - rikipedia Likes this wine: 89 Points
Terroir-istes International - France, Bordeaux 1996 Vintage (Rodwell House): Mid garnet to a thin orange rim. Intense nose filled with tinned fruit, spice, pot pourri and black fruits. Similar to the previous wine, there is an openness to the palate with soft fruit cake, black currant yoghurt and cassis. A dry, and still full-bodied style, the wine is balanced by a high green acidic kick making the wine slightly off-balance. Despite this, there is plenty of flesh to cover the more austere tannin structure, a clarity almost cool mint to the mid-palate and great complexity. The finish is long with some aged beef, black fruits and good depth of flavour.
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1/18/2009 - reddry wrote: 89 Points
solid, but unspectacular
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12/20/2008 - pea wrote: 91 Points
Dark fruit. stable, leather, chocolate. Firm tannins, Very balanced but lacks a bit in the aftertaste.
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8/17/2008 - Paul D wrote:
Decanted 1 hour. Medium/deep rub, ruby rim. Subdued aromatics, some red fruit, vanilla. A little leafy complexity. Firmly tannic on the palate, tight, nice fresh acidity, starting to open out a little after a couple of hours but needs more time. NR. Try again in 2-3 years.
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7/12/2008 - rmalloy wrote: 90 Points
Balanced, noble, but unexciting. Strong eucalyptus/herbal note. Black fruit, pencil shavings, and a light smoky-spicy note I would describe as poblano pepper. Medium-bodied with integrated tannins and nice acidity level. I was impressed, but at 100 for 375 ml, this is a bad value. I very often drink red wines at less than a quarter the price (though not bordeaux) that I consider clearly superior.
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7/2/2008 - biggles wrote: 90 Points
Most enjoyable. Lovely balance of fruit and tanins. Wish I has some more.
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6/19/2008 - JScott wrote: 90 Points
Still a bit closed and tight, just hinting at some early secondary notes. Needs a few more years.
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5/24/2008 - paulst wrote: 88 Points
Austere with moderate finish.
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5/2/2008 - jkoenen wrote: 90 Points
Lagrange and Poujeaux @ my place (Netherlands): No formal note. Very tasty! Sour cherry again, tannines are still quite present. One of the better wines of the tasting. 17,5/20
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4/30/2008 - grapist wrote: 93 Points
Classic, mature Bordeaux.
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4/11/2008 - blanquito wrote: 95 Points
This ran the LLC very close all night. Much more open than at the last time I tasted it in 11/05. Has plenty of life and improvement ahead of it. The thing that struck me tasting it side by side with the LLC was how similar these two wines were- very high praise. The Lagrange also had a tobacco and black currant nature, and if anything, was a notch richer than the LCC.
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3/22/2008 - grapist wrote: 92 Points
Uncorked and sat in the bottle for 2 hours, then decanted and funneled back for the trip to the restaurant. (Natalaino's...new and very good) Almost prune colored, edging toward brown. Full ,rich nose. Subtle, austere, old-style Bordeaux that is sophisticated, complex and delicious but doesn't blow you away. Tasting and looking mature but surely not over the hill yet.
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3/12/2008 - Cheryl wrote:
TN: Kistler, DuCru, La Grange, Fourtet (Matyson's in Philly): This bottle was popped and poured. It was dark, but a bit lighter than the Du Cru. This was soft and lovely. Lots of sediment. An exceptionally long finish. Toward the end of the evening, we questioned whether there was a slight toasted note here. This was a beautiful bottle.
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2/23/2008 - Vinoguy wrote: 90 Points
Decanter Bordeaux Fine Wine Encounter (The Landmark Hotel, London): Attractive, classic nose which wasn't as pronounced as the '96 Leoville tasted 5 minutes before. Soft, medium bodied palate with integrating tannins, sweet berry fruit and a medium long finish.
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1/22/2008 - DJenkins wrote: 93 Points
This has finally entered its' drinking window. Very typical St Julien. Subtle,soft and long. Lovely
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10/26/2007 - keelegl wrote: 91 Points
Decanted for sediment and started pouring. Classic nose of dark berries with strong notes of cedar, tobacco and leather. Even the average Bordeaux bouquet trumps most other wine regions IMO. Some nice flavors on the palate but a little thin overall. Nice sour cherry on the finish that I liked a lot. Tannins showed that this wine has some life on it, but I’m not sure it’s going to get much better with age. The thin fruit holds this wine back a little, but overall I really enjoyed it.
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10/8/2007 - paulst wrote: 92 Points
Smooth light deep fruit with a long finish.
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10/2/2007 - clayfu wrote: 92 Points
Drank it awhile back.
Silky tannin structure, probably age for 2-3 more years at the most. If you drink it now you'd probably want to decant it for over a hour. Great fruit and earth flavors.
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10/2/2007 - rothdog wrote: 88 Points
Ruby red, lots of wood on the nose with hints of red fruit, cigar box and leather. Although very good, it lacks the depth and complexity found in other '96 St. Juliens. The tannins feel as if they are predominately from the oak, and it is a bit thin with a short finish. It's not bad, but it isn't a memorable wine either.
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10/1/2007 - Zweder wrote: 92 Points
Little barnyard, a lot of sweetness, coffee, lead pencil, bitterness and cassis. Thick, full bodied, good juice. Very good concentration, a lot of soft and firm good bitterness in the long aftertaste. This is a very good wine. Now beautiful, but a promise for the future.
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9/8/2007 - joshbryer wrote:
No formal notes, drank at Cafe Stella. Textbook young St. Julien, but with a surprisingly floral nose. Lavender and white flowers with new leather. Palate was tight but not disjointed, developing very well and was everything it should be for its age. This is going to be a knockout in 10 years. Plenty of weight an extract but with structure to make it last for 20years more. A-
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9/7/2007 - Saint Stephen wrote: 85 Points
Didn't care for this wine as much as I have in the past. Came in 6th of 6 at my 96 left bank tasting. Not bad just not great.
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8/30/2007 - kidsmurf2000 wrote: 93 Points
An enjoyable Bordeaux. Not overly earthy for a Bordeaux, but very enjoyable. Strong aroma of whiskey!
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7/26/2007 - TheOtherPoster wrote: 90 Points
Waa-a-a-a-ay too young, at least for me. Beautiful dark ruby color, nose is somewhat restrained but with dark fruits, cassis, cedar, leather and gravel. Even though it was decanted for 2 hours it was full of furry tannins. The palate has dark berries and (for me) a hard to describe earthy complexity. It seems to have terrific balance with a tilt towards a somewhat higher-acid (?old world) style; but to be clear, it is not astringent and unpleasant. A very good finish tops things off. I'll revisit this wine in a few years; if it sheds its tannins and retains its vibrant fruit, this will be a real winner.
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5/31/2007 - paulst wrote: 94 Points
Opened after an hour with blackberry and cherry nice length smooth finish with leather.
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4/22/2007 - JeffW wrote: 91 Points
Nice blackberries and cassis. Needs more time; the tannins are still very powerful, but it has nice potential; maybe as high as a 93 or so.
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2/15/2007 - tendring Likes this wine: 89 Points
Wine Education Service - 10-year old red Bordeaux (Imperial College): Fruity perfume with a growing complexity.
Fruity but tannic, smooth mid palate, attractive wine.
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1/27/2007 - mortenef wrote: 90 Points
Took about an hour to open up a really beatiful classic nose of lovely fruit and earthy elements. Fullbodied and again a lovely taste with ripe fruit, and a nice tannin to support it. A very wellbalanced wine with potential of at least 5 more years. Went very well with fondue.
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1/25/2007 - Rania wrote:
complex. delicious. leather, dark fruit, smoke. Decanted 45 minutes.
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12/16/2006 - dbkitc wrote:
(at Cru – NYC) A little bit tight upon opening, but really blossomed with 20 minutes airtime. Cassis, cedar – deep and lasting flavor impression. Classic Saint Julien profile with a bit extra stuffing than usual for this wine. I love the ’96 left bank wines. I liked this a ton. This wine is a real value. (19)
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11/11/2006 - Grinner wrote: 86 Points
The first of 31 reds and we had to give some score room for the others so maybe I was a bit harsh on this wine but I think it underperformed and I usually really like Lagrange. Rustic tannins and some slightly tart acids on the finish left me wonderin' about it's future. I won't wait long on my other bottle-- and I'll have a back up ready to go.
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11/6/2006 - Mr T wrote: 90 Points
Nice nose. Palate came and went and with it, the fruit. Rich smokey wine. Don't know if this is a maturity issue (mine or the wine's ) that will resolve w/ time and leave a sweeter core of fruit. Enjoyed but not loved
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10/28/2006 - Arcturus wrote: 91 Points
Nose of cigar box, toasted oak with a floral backdrop. The wine developed nicely over a 4 hour period-started to show secondary complexities. On the palate cassis, dark smoky rich fruit, mid palate was a bit light but a smooth finish. Tannins still very noticable but not overbearing. I hate to say it but I think it will benefit from a few more years of aging. 91
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9/30/2006 - wineismylife wrote: 90 Points
DAWGS Tasting - September 30, 2006 (Classic Wine Storage, Southlake, TX): WIML90,WS90,WA90
Tasted September 30, 2006 at an offline. Opened and served immediately in a Riedel restaurant series tasting glass. Garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Just a touch of brett on the nose with some notes of tobacco, smoke, plums and crushed dark berries. Flavors of blackberries, black cherries with an underlying mineral streak. Medium to firm tannins, medium acidity and medium to full bodied. Can be drank now with decanting but definitely has the stuff to last for several more years.
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9/30/2006 - win wrote: 90 Points
1996 Bordeaux Tasting at CWS (Southlake, Texas): Very, very solid wine with a smooth texture. Very much in its drinking window.
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8/24/2006 - Serge Birbrair wrote: 89 Points
Sic Transit Gloria Mundi ...........
my last bottle of 1996 Château Lagrange St. Julien is gone. As I mentioned earlier,
all bottles suffered in Florida hot weather but the last 2 were just over the cliff
;(
oh well....I am glad we enjoyed the rest of the case earlier.
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4/16/2006 - bsieve wrote: 89 Points
Well balanced, earthy wine with hints of berries.
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4/7/2006 - asianwinehunter wrote: 92 Points
Takes about 45min or air time in bottle. Optimal drinking window is another 45min. During this time nose of cassis, leather good consistency in mid-palate and finish. After 45min drinking window wine gets progressively more sour and losses its "balance".
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3/1/2006 - jakob.krummenacher@gmail.com wrote: 90 Points
Dark purple color, brilliant. Complex nose of cassis, spicy French oak, and earth. COmplex palate with a great balance and a medium length. Black currant, leather, cherry, earthy and herbal notes. Medium to full body. Silky tannins. Excellent with French dishes. Drink 2006-2020.
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2/12/2006 - jlittlefield wrote: 93 Points
Just delicious, really hit it's stride 3 hrs in. Wonderful dark red fruits, fine tannins, nice long finish. I think there's a beautiful freshness to this wine. Nothing wrong with drinking this now, in my opinion...
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11/26/2005 - Vinoguy wrote: 92 Points
Decanter Fine Wine Encounter 2005 (The Landmark Hotel, London): Barnyard nose. Concentrated, balanced, complex. Drinking well now.
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11/19/2005 - MRichman wrote:
St. Julien Fest (NYC): Good fruit. Solid. Will improve.
B++
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1/29/2005 - asianwinehunter wrote: 93 Points
No decant - poured bit out until mid shoulder level. Took about 75-90 minutes to finally open up. Drinking very well at that point. Nice rounded mid palate, black fruits with decent finish. Fine tannins and even better given the air time. Should be coming into optimal drinking window in next 2-3 years....
Steal at these prices (~$40-50). An undervalued bordeaux if thats possible!!
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1/25/2005 - MRichman wrote:
Thick, juicy & concentrated. Cedar, some herbs. Green tannins on top need to fade. Some mineral-iron? Mint way behind. Nice juicy fruit, but hiding behind flattening tannins.
B/B- with potential
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11/20/2004 - Spencer wrote: 93 Points
Still quite closed, but this was impressive juice. Tons of dark fruit on the nose and palate, with some gamey and floral notes that really add complexity. Extremely ripe/sweet fruit well balanced by lush, fine tannins. Long, expansive finish. This is a great wine for the cellar.
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10/25/2003 - CSteefel wrote: 89 Points
Quite similar in style to the Sociando, but somewhat less impressive overall on both the nose and in the mouth. Some Bretty, barnyard aromas on the nose, substantial tannins with modest dark fruit in the mouth. Distinctly less length than the Sociando, however. Needs to be retasted.
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10/4/2002 - R2-D2 wrote: 90 Points
Softest of the 96's and most approachable. Touch of mocha and smoke combined with good rich berry flavors to be a success.
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8/1/2002 - SadEdjo wrote: flawed
heat damage in transportation from UK.
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2/11/2001 - SadEdjo wrote:
bright strawberry & cedar
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