Is 1996 a good year for Bordeaux?
1996 Vintage: Bordeaux The 1996 vintage for Bordeaux was extremely good. A mild winter and moved to a warm spring with March bringing significant heat. May was cool heating up again in June before taking another dip in early July.
Is 1996 a good vintage?
The 1996 year was, overall, fantastic for much of Europe, and particularly France. Bordeaux had an incredible vintage for both dry reds and whites and Sauternes. Typically, the reds attract the far higher prices, so for a bargain look to Sauternes which, as well as being sublime, tends to offer more value. …
Is wine from 1996 still good?
Easiest answer: you can taste it, wine doesn’t go off. It can lose its taste and quality but it can be drunk without making you sick or killing you so crack her open and taste it. If it tastes bad don’t drink more obviously. If it’s sweet then drink it.
What years are good for Bordeaux?
In the white corner – by which one generally means Sauternes – the best vintages years are 2015, 2014, 2011 and 2009. The 2011 in particular has immense aging potential. The remaining vintage years of the 21st century have all otherwise been reasonable quality, although the 2013, 2010 and 2005 stand out above the rest.
What was the vintage of Bordeaux in 1996?
The vintage was picture perfect for the Medoc. The hot, sunny and dry conditions gave the vines the perfect amount of stress which allowed the Cabernet Sauvignon to achieve excellent phenolic ripeness. 1996 Bordeaux wine came out a growing season that started with a mild winter.
What are the most recent vintages of Bordeaux wine?
The top wines from those years could take decades to develop and mature. As you have read, there are years when Cabernet was King in Bordeaux, but there are also vintages when the Merlot based wines of the Right Bank were favored: 2015, 2012, 1998, 2001, 1995, 1994 are the most recent years that come to mind.
What kind of wine was in the 1996 vintage?
1996 was the first successful vintage for the sweet, white Bordeaux wine of Sauternes since 1990. Because all the attention for the 1996 vintage is focused on the red wines, prices remain fair for Sauternes and Barsac. The following list of Bordeaux wines offer value and quality.
What was the year like for Bordeaux reds?
Warm and dry year ran early all season; southern areas most affected by spring frost, while Médoc generally spared. Well-timed rains prevented maturity blockage, but September diluted earlier-ripening Merlot.