Two 96´s From The South Of France

Checking through my inventory I find a lot of single bottles with some age, begging to be drunk. Well, you don´t have to ask me twice!

1996 Cuvee Sextant, Cellier d´Orfee
This 50% Syrah, 50% Carignan blend has a mature, warm, soft nose with notes of smoke, seared meat, earth and some dark bread dough. Nice in a peasant form of way.
The taste is broad and mature with notes of warm herbs, dried black fruits, gravel and wood smoke. A compact warmth and a medium long, rather dense finish. Fully mature, and possibly a tad so.
84p   (tasted 2016/01)

1996 Château Montus Cuvée Prestige
This bottle is almost as good as the one I tasted three years ago, which came directly from the property. I bought some in 1999 and this is the last bottle. The nose is a Bordeaux poster child even though this is 100% Tannat. Lovely notes of red and black currants, fresh stables, tobacco and leather. A tad more mature tha the previous bottle. Very, very good.
The taste is cool, tight and barely mature with notes of black currants, pencil shavings, stables and tobacco. Feels younger on the palate. Really good. When you know what it is you get the sense that the tannins are a bit more expressive and sturdy than your regular Bordeaux, but blind I would put this in Bordeaux ten times out of ten. Great wine.
92p   (tasted 2016/01)