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I posted here about 3 years ago re: a bottle of 1996 Chateau Lafite I was given for my 60th birthday (purchased by my son, with my credit card).
http://db.audioasylum.com/mhtml/m.html?forum=general-wine&n=5028
Well, we're finally going to crack it open this Friday.
We're planning on lamb chops and short ribs. But I suspect we'll dringk the wine before dinner, maybe with a nice cheese (what kind?).
The wine guy where we bought it said to open it in about 10 am, but that seems quite early. I was thinking more like 2-3 hours before we drink it.
I'm giddy with excitement - I've NEVER had anything so opulent in my life.
rlindsa
Follow Ups:
I was not impressed. Maybe my expectations were too high, but there was no "wow" factor at all. Enjoyable - yes. But not the complex, soul-altering experience I was anticipating. It was kinda flat and one-dimensional, if you want to know the truth. I don't think there was anything "wrong" with it. But it did not alter my perception of wine reality.
Oh well, at least I can say I've had a bottle.
rlindsa
...I've tasted many nice wines from friend's cellars that were over the hill.
Yours shouldn't have been.
Your description sounds like a wine which has lost it's fruit.
Along with the flatness was there a bland,kind of olive oil flavor on the finish?
How was the color? Purple? Red, with a brown/red around the rim?
On the finish, was it totally soft, with no bight of tannin or alcohol?
Or was there the taste of violets?
The '96 was supposed to be in its prime from 2012 to 2050, so I don't think it was past its peak.
Yeah, the finish was rather bland (though I didn't notice any olive flavor).
Color was great - very rich purpley red with no brown hue.
Bit of a tannin bite to the finish, but too much. And no violet taste.
It wasn't bad, it just didn't wow me like it should have. Very little complexity to the smell and taste, dominated by graphite with little fruit.
Cork was snug, but not over tight, came out as it should have, looked and smelled fine. Deep purple stain on the bottom with legs up the sides for 1/4 to 3/8 inch.
I had stored it at 56-58 degrees the last 3 years. And it had been in climate controlled environment at the store for several years before that.
So I don't know what happened - but it sure pisses me off!
rlindsa
...we were given a bottle for our wedding.
When we opened it for our 20th it had turned and was not drinkable.
Hope you fare better with yours.
did you taste it immediately or did you let it breath?
Or do you think it was improperly stored, or just passed it's time?
...it had been stored well but we had moved twice.Probably a bad cork.
I don't think we let it breathe long before we had a taste.
Now that I think about, the cork crumbled on opening and I tried it right away, finding it undrinkable (it was 11 years ago).
Edits: 04/03/14
Well, my son bought it from a reputable dealer who kept it in a climate controlled storage, and I've had it stored in my wine cellar for the past 3 years, so I hope it's not suffered any damage. THAT would be a real pisser.
rlindsa
And be prepared to drink it then. The reason you laid it down was so that the tannins would soften and integrate will all the other parts of the wine. This probably has happened.
The risk you take by not trying it and letting it air for a couple of hours is the fruit may diminish.
After you leave the bottle standing for a day or two in advance you will want to decant it carefully. I'm sure there is a youtube video showing the proper technique. The decanting process will also be airing the wine.
As for cheeses, I'd go with a double creme brie, a medium cheddar, and/or a mild blue such as Cambozola or Blue Shropshire.
Enjoy!
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