1996 Château Guiraud

Tasted as part of a vertical held at the chateau. I have to admit that I was expecting much more from this vintage that was drinking gloriously ten years ago. For sure, the 1996 has a more composed bouquet than the 1995 with marmalade, Clementine and touches of brown sugar and chlorine emerging from the almost Barsac-like aromatic profile. The palate has a waxy texture, touches of spice and marmalade that segue into a tense, bitter lemon and bitter orange finish. Comparing the 1996 with recent vintages, it just fall short in terms of the complexity and nuance, but it remains a pleasurable Sauternes, albeit one outshone by the succeeding vintage. Drink now-2020. Tasted April 2013.

Quite dark copper. Doesn’t smell quite pure. Big and massive with tawny macerated raisins – rather like a TBA with much more alcohol. Treacly finish. Dramatic and I guess lots of risky decisions were taken to pick the grapes this ripe but the result just lacks a little refreshment. (JR)

Tasted as part of a vertical held at the chateau. I have to admit that I was expecting much more from this vintage that was drinking gloriously ten years ago. For sure, the 1996 has a more composed bouquet than the 1995 with marmalade, Clementine and touches of brown sugar and chlorine emerging from the almost Barsac-like aromatic profile. The palate has a waxy texture, touches of spice and marmalade that segue into a tense, bitter lemon and bitter orange finish. Comparing the 1996 with recent vintages, it just fall short in terms of the complexity and nuance, but it remains a pleasurable Sauternes, albeit one outshone by the succeeding vintage. Drink now-2020. Tasted April 2013. Jun 2013, www.robertparker.com