Update: 1996 Clos du Marquis

[JCNorthway]

Those of you who have been around since the early days of BWE recall that this wine received a lot of accolades from members, and I believe it was BWE Wine of the Year, maybe our very first year.

Anyway, not wanting to drink mine when they are over the hill, I pulled my next to last bottle over the weekend to serve with rack of lamb. What a great match for the lamb! And while I would say that this particular bottle may not get any better, it certainly was a nice example of a mature Bordeaux where the tannins have receded some, and secondary characteristics are starting to blend with the still very prevalent fruit. I think I will plan to drink my last bottle in in 1-3 years.

[JimHow]

Not a wine of the year, Jon, but certainly a BWE favorite.
Not without controversy, either, as a couple BWEers thought it was past its prime a few years back, while some of us thought it was still very strong.
i haven't had it in at least five years, though. I've probably had at least three cases of the stuff over the years.
Thanks for the report.

[dstgolf]

Thanks for the update Jon. Before this wine got into the pricey range I used this wine at dinner parties to introduce friends to Bordeaux.Always reliable and drinkable early with the capacity to age. I still have a vertical in the cellar of 95-03. Never considered the 96 anything but stellar and the last bottle enjoyed was at Christmas and it was still firing on all cylinders.Sad to say only 2 bottles left.

Many say the seconds are poor value for the money but I've always felt the CdM was an exception through the 90s. The price has changed my mind recently, however that's not that much different than most Bordeaux especially since 2005.Thankfully there's more than enough cellared to ease the pain with increasing age.

Danny

[Gerry M.]

Any thoughts on the 2000 vintage? I have a lone magnum that keeps calling to me to open but I've been resistant thus far. If this is still really too young, any thoughts on how long I should sit on it?

[jal]

My thoughts on the 2000 are pretty negative:

http://www.bordeauxwineenthusiasts.com/ ... 000#p13401

[JimHow]

I was not a big fan of the expensive 2005.

[oldwinenut]

I am a big fan of this estate. Just finished my last '88 and if you have any it will go for many years more. I have never tried the '96 but I did buy lots of the '00 @ $23 per. I have not tried any yet as I believe this is one long lived wine which needs at least 15 years in a bottle to become civilized. I have a single bottle in my cellar and the balance off site, so maybe I will pop in the next few weeks and report back. My confidence in its ultimate quality is that all the '00 have great balance they just are taking a long time to come around. I would not bet against this wine.

[Gerry M.]

Hummmm, sounds like I've got nothing to lose by letting it sit for a few more years

Thanks guys.