1996 Vosne Romanee Aux Reignots

The 1996 Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Aux Reignots is a rare wine since Etienne Grivot makes only a barrel of it, however this bottle demonstrates how far the domaine’s has progressed over the last decade. I just find it a bit "clunky". It pelts out of the blocks with rich black fruit tinged with glycerine, the oak too present for my liking after twenty years. The palate has firm tannin, structured and quite bold, but it does not possess the precision and craftsmanship of modern Grivot’s and feels a little ham-fisted on the finish. Not a bad wine by any means. It just misses some class. Tasted with Lord Bruce and Gareth over lunch at Bellamy’s.