Château Lafite Rothschild 1996 75cl.

Grapes: 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot

It follows the traditional style of the great Pauillac wines, with a strong emphasis on grape selection and prolonged aging. The '96 vintage was excellent for Cabernet Sauvignon in the Médoc. The grapes were harvested manually plot by plot, seeking the optimal maturity of each vineyard. After the harvest, the clusters went through a rigorous selection. The grapes were destemmed and lightly crushed.

Alcoholic fermentation was carried out in plots in wooden and stainless steel tanks with temperature control. Carefully controlled pump-overs and macerations were carried out to extract color, tannins and aromatic compounds. Once the alcoholic fermentation is finished, the wine undergoes malolactic fermentation, softening the acidity and providing greater complexity.

Its aging was approximately 18 to 20 months in new French oak barrels in a proportion close to 100%. During aging, periodic racking was carried out to clarify the wine and promote its evolution

An interesting fact: in 1996 the harvest started relatively late for Cabernet Sauvignon, which favored a slow and complete maturation of the tannins, one of the reasons why this vintage is so appreciated by collectors and sommeliers.

View:

Deep garnet color with ruby reflections and light brick nuances on the edge, typical of a noble evolution. With an intense layer and great shine.

Nose:

Complex and elegant, with several layers of cassis and black currant, cedar and wood, graphite and mineral notes, black truffle and licorice. With aeration, nuances of dry violet, incense and moist earth appear.

Mouth:

Wide and silky entry, with abundant tannins but perfectly polished by time. Great concentration and depth. Fresh acidity that maintains tension and longevity. Extraordinary balance between power and finesse. Velvety texture with a marked mineral imprint. Its finish is very long and persistent with memories of cassis, cedar, graphite and fine tobacco.

Recommendations when decanting: If the bottle has remained in the cellar for decades, it should be decanted carefully to separate the sediments. Normally 30 - 60 minutes of aeration is enough; Excessive decanting can cause it to lose some of its most delicate aromas.

The pairing for Lafite Rothschild 1996 does not have the objective of competing with it, but rather to accompany its elegance, complexity and finesse.

A matured beef sirloin (30-45 days) with black truffle sauce and meat juice reduction can work very well. Other exceptional combinations could be roast suckling lamb in Castilian style, roast pigeon with foie and red wine reduction or a beef Wellington.

If served after the meal, it can be accompanied by 24-36 month Comté cheese, Beaufort or a medium cured Manchego cheese.

Avoid meats with sweet sauces, spicy food, smoked dishes, seafood and fish dishes