TN: 1996 Moulin St. Georges St. Emilion
Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 2:20 am
In anticipation of the launch of the new BWE, I felt it was time to enjoy a nice Bordeaux with dinner that past Saturday. So with mustard-herb coated roast rack of lamb, Paula and I opened this 1996 Right Banker. Sadly, this was the last bottle I have of this wine, purchased on release at about $25 (I think the 2005 was near $50). Earlier bottles of this had seemed somewhat closed, with tannins stepping on the fruit. This bottle was really beginning to sing. Decanted for a couple of hours before dinner, it was still somewhat closed with a lot of structure. As the wine sat in our glasses it started to open up a bit. It was a really nice balance of fruit, earth, tannins, and plenty of freshness and youth on the nose and palate. Parker gave this 89 points with a drinking window of 2001-2015. I'd say, he was right about the drinking window. This is beginning to be really enjoyable, but it still has many years left - I think it will be enjoyable several years beyond 2015. As for the 89, I might make it 90 or 91; to me it's better than an 89 pointer. Thanks for all the talk recently of the 96 Medocs; it reminded me it's been quite a while since I'd had a 96 from either bank.
Day 3 (tonight): The remainder of the bottle from Saturday was placed in a half-bottle decanter (handy little device) until tonight. This wine remains quite enjoyable 48 hours later. The tannins are a little softer and the palate has a noticeable cedar presence. I slightly preferred its profile on the first night, but others might prefer it now. You would not go wrong either way.
viva la BWE!
Jon
Day 3 (tonight): The remainder of the bottle from Saturday was placed in a half-bottle decanter (handy little device) until tonight. This wine remains quite enjoyable 48 hours later. The tannins are a little softer and the palate has a noticeable cedar presence. I slightly preferred its profile on the first night, but others might prefer it now. You would not go wrong either way.
viva la BWE!
Jon