Exploring The Forgotten Side Of Bordeaux - Chapter V

Chapter no V focus on two bottles from the fine 1996 vintage. I hope that the bottle of 96 Carbonnieux that Vinosapien won will turn out better than this one.


1996 Château Carbonnieux
A big, mature, spicy nose with notes of lanolin, dried peaches, glue and bees wax. A rather dense nose. Fully mature. A hint of wall to wall carpet.
The taste is also dense but fresher than the nose with notes of dried apriocts, rubber, stale nuts and dried flowers. A long, warm, structured finish with a fairly high acidity. A wouldn´t keep bottles of this for much longer.
82p   (tasted 2015/05)

1996 Château Smith Haut Lafitte
A mature, distinct, deep nose with notes of dried apricots, wet suit, rose water and a touch of saffron. Very interesting and layered. Evolves nicely in the glass. Some vanilla ice cream after a wile. Very good.
The taste is full bodied and creamy with notes of dried apricots, flower water, lanolin, cold red tea and dry grass. Long and fine with a perfect dryness. Really good. Probably fully mature but there is no hurry to drink any remaining bottles.
91p   (tasted 2015/05)