1996 Ruchottes Chambertin Grand Cru
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Tasting notes
The 1996 Ruchottes-Chambertin was cropped at just 27hl/ha. Now with 21 years on the clock, atypical for this vintage, it has a sensual bouquet with scents of red fruit, cassis, quince and violet, though with continued aeration it develops a subtle earthiness. The palate is marked by very fine tannin, well judged acidity and quite a structured second half. This is still quite backward, but there is something very stylish here and for those with extraordinary patience it may well blossom...eventually! Tasted at the Ruchottes-Chambertin vertical in London.
Critic scores
Neal Martin
Pierre Rovani
More reviews and scores
This wine is spectacular. This medium-to-dark ruby-colored offering has beguiling aromas reminiscent of spiced and sweetened cherries and assorted flowers dusted with freshly cracked white pepper. It is a medium-to-full-bodied, creamy-textured, concentrated, and magnificently refined wine that has flavors of raspberries, cherries, strawberries, minerals, and Asian spices in its delightfully harmonious core. Even though this wine is intensely ripe and plump, it has outstanding balance and focus as well as a prodigiously long finish. I would not be surprised if my score seemed overly conservative in a few years. Anticipated maturity: 2004-2012+. Wow! This parcel is composed of sickly 50-55 year old vines that produce low yields (in 1996, a vintage that saw huge crops, it produced a meager 27 hectoliters/hectare). A Peter Vezan Selection (Paris Fax # 011-33-1-42-65-42-93).