Selection with Condition Photos
At Cru World Wine, we understand that bottle condition is crucial when it comes to purchasing wine, especially when buying back vintage wines. That's why we've created our "Selection with Condition Photos" page - a curated selection of wines that includes detailed photos of each bottle, so you can make an informed decision before making a purchase. Our photos show the condition of the bottle, including any signs of wear or damage, giving you the confidence to make an informed purchase decision.
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Selection with Condition Photos
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| Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
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Tuscany | 1 | - |
Inc. VAT
£846.58 |
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Burgundy | 1 | 97 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£3,545.60 |
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Vinous (97)A Burgundy of tension and bracing energy, the 1996 Rousseau Chambertin is simply magnificent on this night. Time in the glass brings out the wine's stunning inner sweetness and perfume in what is an utterly glorious expression of Pinot Noir and Chambertin. I imagine the 1996 will still be compelling in 30 years' time. Today is transcendental and deeply beautiful. |
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Burgundy | 1 | 97 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£2,883.20 |
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Vinous (97)Now at 23-years of age, the 1996 Chambertin Grand Cru shows a little bricking on the rim, appropriate with its age. The nose is as fragrant as I remember: wilted iris petals gently waft from the glass, cool and reserved. Indeed, I found this bottle initially aloof and standoffish, like many Côte de Nuits this vintage, before developing more fruit intensity, mainly black rather than red laced with loam and Earl Grey. The palate is just beautifully balanced. It is a stout and swarthy Chambertin so much so that you risk overlooking what for a 1996 is its filigree tannin structure. The fruit profile becomes redder towards the finish with a kiss of sour cherry and orange rind that all feel so precise and sophisticated. This multi-faceted and cerebral Chambertin is reaching its lofty plateau. |
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Piedmont | 2 | 97 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£635.60 |
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Vinous (97)Tasted from magnum, the 1996 Barolo is absolutely stunning. Vibrant and wonderfully alive, the 1996 exudes class. Time has gently softened the 1996 tannins, rendering the 1996 super-expressive today. Balsamic, mentholated notes, along with scents of tobacco and dried stone fruit continue to open up with time in the glass. The 1996 is still firm and quite powerful, but not as austere as many wines are in this vintage. Tar, licorice and scorched earth add the closing shades of nuance in an impeccably balanced, vivid Barolo that captures the personality of the vintage at its best. |
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Burgundy | 1 | 92-95 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£2,446.09 |
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Vinous (92-95)Deep, saturated ruby. Flamboyantly perfumed aromas leap from the glass: dark fruits, venison, smoke, minerals, earth and spicy oak. Velvety and palate-caressing but manages to maintain great flavor definition; an uncanny amalgam of power and cut. Intensely fruity and fresh, with better acidity and length than the Charmes. Finishes with completely ripe tannins and great persistence. |
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Burgundy | 1 | 93-95 (WA) |
Inc. VAT
£2,649.85 |
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Wine Advocate (93-95)This magnificent wine offers a medium-to-dark ruby color and an extraordinary nose of perfume, violets, and a myriad of red fruits. I was blown away by this wine's combination of precision, femininity, focus, and jammy, candied cherries. Traces of sweet, vanilla-infused oak grace this wine's complex and concentrated, yet lace-like flavor profile. Medium-to-full-bodied and silky-textured, this wine also possesses a long, soft, gorgeous finish that leaves the taster yearning for more. Finally, a La Romanee worthy of its name! Bravo! to Henriot, Hervet, and Prost for bringing Bouchard to such a high level of quality. |
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Rhone | 1 | 91 (WA) |
Inc. VAT
£213.85 |
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Wine Advocate (91)I was less impressed with the 1996 Cote Rotie La Mordoree from bottle than I was from cask. Michel Chapoutier still believes it is one of the finest examples he has produced, but agrees that the high acidity has left everything in the wine compressed. It is certainly an outstanding offering, but it will require 5-7 years of patience. Made from microscopic yields of 15 hectoliters per hectare, it exhibits a saturated purple color, and a reticent but promising nose of toasty new oak, cassis, black olives, and smoked game. In the mouth, the wine is medium to full-bodied and dense, but the high acidity and compressed, tightly-knit style make it difficult to penetrate. The finish is long, but the wine is backward and unyielding. Anticipated maturity: 2006-2025. Importer: Paterno Imports, Lake Bluff, IL; tel. (847) 604-8900 |
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Rhone | 1 | 99 (WA) |
Inc. VAT
£544.09 |
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Wine Advocate (99)It is no secret that I adore Chapoutier's luxury cuvee of white Hermitage called Cuvee L'Oree. Made from 90-year old vines and microscopic yields of 10-12 hectoliters per hectare, this wine flirts with perfection. It is a compelling white Hermitage. Made from 100% Marsanne, it is as rich and multidimensional as the fullest, most massive Montrachet money can buy. It is unctuously textured, yet extraordinarily and beautifully balanced. I suspect it will drink well early in life, and then shut down for a few years. It should last for 4-5 decades. The 1996 possesses some of the most amazing glycerin levels I have ever seen in a dry white wine. In short, this wine must be tasted to be believed. Importer: Paterno Imports, Lake Bluff, IL; tel. (847) 604-8900 |
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Rhone | 1 | 90-91 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£404.65 |
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Vinous (90-91)Dark ruby-red. Kirsch, cassis, violet, smoke and spices on the sappy nose. Very bound-up in the mouth today, with strong acidity dominating. I don't currently get the sheer richness of Hermitage, but this is precise, very firmly structured and very young. Finishes with firm tannins and a note of vanillin oak. Should age slowly and well. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 89 (WA) |
Inc. VAT
£497.29 |
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Wine Advocate (89)On one of the three occasions I tasted the 1996 Clos Fourtet from bottle I rated it outstanding (90 points). The color is a saturated dark ruby. The nose offers up sweet black raspberry and blackberry fruit intermixed with toasty oak and floral scents. It is fleshy, surprisingly expansive and forward for a 1996, with low acidity, and a long, multilayered, fruit-driven finish. The tannin is ripe, and thus the fruit comes forward and the wine is seductive and charming. This wine possesses the weight, richness, and extract to last for 15-20 years, but it should be drinkable early. I would not be surprised for readers to feel my score is too conservative based on how well this wine is showing. Anticipated maturity: 2003-2018. |
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Loire | 1 | - |
Inc. VAT
£1,163.29 |
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Reminiscent of the grandeur of the Loire Valley, the superlative Clos Rougeard Saumur-Champigny Les Poyeux 1996 emerges as an exemplar of Cabernet Franc perfection. Crafted meticulously by the Focault brothers, striking heirs to eight generations of Loire viticulture, this vintage manifests the family's devotion to biodynamic innocence with profound depth and structure. Blossoming in calcareous clay and Turonian limestone slopes of Champigny, the grapes unfold their nuance, displaying a rich spectrum of flavours―breathtaking raspberries, prunes, graphite, and subtle hints of truffle. Maturation in new-barrel oak over an unhurried two years bestows upon Les Poyeux an elegant complexity underpinned by an arresting mineral line. It's a tableau of harmonious contrasts, presented by a meticulously balanced tannin-acid structure. The distinguished Clos Rougeard Saumur-Champigny Les Poyeux 1996, recognised for its longevity, matures gracefully, reserving its full reveal for the patient aficionado. Thus ensuring every illustrious sip offers a timeless journey into its magisterial cradle. |
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Burgundy | 1 | - |
Inc. VAT
£5,948.65 |
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Burgundy | 1 | - |
Inc. VAT
£4,068.25 |
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Recognised as a masterpiece in viticulture, the d'Auvenay Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Folatieres 1996 is a grand testament to the rich wine region of Burgundy, France. Birthed from limestone-rich soil and nourished by an ideal climate, this wine offers a sublime complexity only achieved through careful nurturing. Hand-harvested Chardonnay grapes are fermented using indigenous yeasts, capturing the signature mineral and floral aesthetics unique to Les Folatieres vineyard. The guiding hand behind this finish is none other than Lalou Bize-Leroy, co-owner of Domaine Leroy. Her strict vitality-driven approach in wine making, coupled with organic and biodynamic farming principles, enhances the pure expression of terroir in this 1996 vintage. This wine has aged gracefully, delivering a sensual bouquet of green apple, pear, almond and a whisper of vanilla. On the palate, it stands out for its refined acidity, seamless texture and long, persistent finish, making it a perfect example of the excellence of d'Auvenay Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Folatieres 1996. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 96 (WS) |
Inc. VAT
£1,519.24 |
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Wine Spectator (96)This leans toward the tropical side, with mango and guava notes out front, while maple, date, blood orange and citrus oil flavors fill in behind. The finish kicks into another gear, taking off with honeysuckle, orange blossom and frangipane accents. Has almost unbridled power today, while maintaining serious cut. A very impressive showing in a rather overlooked vintage. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 96 (WS) |
Inc. VAT
£1,569.60 |
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Wine Spectator (96)This leans toward the tropical side, with mango and guava notes out front, while maple, date, blood orange and citrus oil flavors fill in behind. The finish kicks into another gear, taking off with honeysuckle, orange blossom and frangipane accents. Has almost unbridled power today, while maintaining serious cut. A very impressive showing in a rather overlooked vintage. |
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Champagne | 1 | 98 (WA) |
Inc. VAT
£513.20 |
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Wine Advocate (98)The brilliant 1996 Dom Perignon, which has largely disappeared from the marketplace, may be the finest young example of DP I have ever tasted. Notes of crushed rocks, honeysuckle, lemon oil, orange marmalade, and white pear provide a stunning aromatic display as well as palate impression. Great acidity and huge flavor intensity backed up by vibrant acidity make this an exquisite Champagne. It should drink well for 20-25 years, possibly longer. Readers should remember that the 1971 Dom Perignon Rose is still drinking exquisitely. I recently had the 1969 and 1970 Dom Perignons (from magnum), and both were drinking brilliantly. It makes one realize just how long-lived these wines can be. Production is confidential, but there must be hundreds of thousands of cases of Dom Perignon since it available in most of the world’s luxury hotels and restaurants. |
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Burgundy | 1 | 98 (WS) |
Inc. VAT
£13,244.81 |
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Wine Spectator (98)Incredible harmony to this pedigreed red Burgundy. Closed on the nose now, it unfolds layers of elegant yet superripe fruit, wrapping around the palate, coating every taste bud with the silky flavors. Full-bodied and not powerful, it's just lovely, with an aftertaste that seems to last for minutes. Best from 2006 through 2036. -PM |
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Burgundy | 1 | 98 (WS) |
Inc. VAT
£6,556.40 |
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Wine Spectator (98)Incredible harmony to this pedigreed red Burgundy. Closed on the nose now, it unfolds layers of elegant yet superripe fruit, wrapping around the palate, coating every taste bud with the silky flavors. Full-bodied and not powerful, it's just lovely, with an aftertaste that seems to last for minutes. Best from 2006 through 2036. -PM |
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Burgundy | 1 | 98 (WS) |
Inc. VAT
£60,558.04 |
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Wine Spectator (98)Incredible harmony to this pedigreed red Burgundy. Closed on the nose now, it unfolds layers of elegant yet superripe fruit, wrapping around the palate, coating every taste bud with the silky flavors. Full-bodied and not powerful, it's just lovely, with an aftertaste that seems to last for minutes. Best from 2006 through 2036. -PM |
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Burgundy | 1 | 98 (WS) |
Inc. VAT
£49,916.44 |
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Wine Spectator (98)Incredible harmony to this pedigreed red Burgundy. Closed on the nose now, it unfolds layers of elegant yet superripe fruit, wrapping around the palate, coating every taste bud with the silky flavors. Full-bodied and not powerful, it's just lovely, with an aftertaste that seems to last for minutes. Best from 2006 through 2036. -PM |
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Burgundy | 1 | 98 (WS) |
Inc. VAT
£16,042.40 |
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Wine Spectator (98)Incredible harmony to this pedigreed red Burgundy. Closed on the nose now, it unfolds layers of elegant yet superripe fruit, wrapping around the palate, coating every taste bud with the silky flavors. Full-bodied and not powerful, it's just lovely, with an aftertaste that seems to last for minutes. Best from 2006 through 2036. |
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Burgundy | 1 | 95 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£3,628.40 |
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Vinous (95)The 1996 Romanée-Saint-Vivant Grand Cru puts in a splendid performance. Quite deep in colour (like many Pinots this vintage), it has a bewitching and precise bouquet with dark cherries, crushed stone, iris and oyster shells, gaining more and more delineation as it opens in the glass. The palate is very focused, fresh and vibrant, hints of Earl Grey infusing the red fruit and silky smooth in texture. It displays the femininity of this vineyard, precise and shimmering with energy on the finish. This is a great showing and yet one can tell it has another two or three decades of pleasure to give. Tasted over dinner at Oswald's in London. |
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Burgundy | 1 | 89-92 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£5,234.65 |
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Vinous (89-92)Excellent deep red. Black raspberry, minerals and smoky oak on the nose: the dark side of Chambolle, particularly in comparison to the redder-fruit '95. Minerally and firm, with excellent density for a village wine but limited complexity. Finishes firm, ripe and persistent. |
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Rhone | 1 | - |
Inc. VAT
£705.85 |
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As a fine wine aficionado, the Fonsalette Cotes Du Rhone Syrah 1996 is indeed a celebration of exceptional viticulture and exquisite taste. Produced in the famed wine region of Cotes Du Rhone, Fonsalette estate's Syrah 1996 is lauded for its robust structure and distinct layers of complex flavours. This magnificent French wine exhibits a vibrant, deep red hue, presenting a nose full of ripe fruits. A taste reveals the skilful artistry behind its production, marrying plush intensity with a refined finish. The estate, owned by Emmanuel Reynaud, prides itself on its traditional methods used for this vintage. The fruit was harvested manually, fermented in concrete vats, then carefully aged in oak barrels. With a reputation that lives up to the Rhone Valley’s illustrious status, each sip of Fonsalette Cotes Du Rhone Syrah 1996 is a testament to its careful craftmanship and unhurried maturation process - a true masterpiece in a bottle. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 91+ (VN (ID)) |
Inc. VAT
£488.42 |
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Vinous - Ian D'Agata (91+)(64% cabernet sauvignon, 26% merlot, 7% cabernet franc and 3% petit verdot; IPT 74; 13% alcohol): Dark ruby. Deep, brooding nose hints at dark plum, blackcurrant, coffee and lavender accented by cinnamon and nutmeg. Enters bright and fresh, then turns richer in the middle, with accessible plum, herb and coffee flavors persisting nicely on the peppery finish, which features chewy tannins. This is at once more herbal and more forward than the 1995. It's also better than I remember it, and although still quite young it offers plenty of appeal. The wine's harmonious acidity makes it seem lighter-bodied than it is. About 40% of the malolactic fermentation was carried out in barriques, compared to a normal one-third. Note that the label states 12.5% alcohol, but the data given to me by the estate shows 13% alcohol. |
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Burgundy | 1 | 92-95 (VN (ST)) |
Inc. VAT
£58,567.78 |
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Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (92-95)Distinctly darker red-ruby color. Floral, highly perfumed aromas of strawberry, raspberry, spearmint and sappy spices. Big, rich and silky, but very fresh and delineated, with terrific cut. Very subtle, expanding aftertaste, with slow-building, very persistent fruit and completely enrobed tannins. Concentrated, classy and complete; a thoroughly ripe Musigny that has benefitted from the late harvesting. |
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Burgundy | 1 | 94-96 (WA) |
Inc. VAT
£815.05 |
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Wine Advocate (94-96)This is a stunning wine. This dark ruby colored beauty displays a beguiling nose of roses, violets, perfume, and candied red fruits that is followed by a super-ripe (sur-maturite!), unbelievably classy, and splendidly balanced character. Its mouth-coating, powerful (yet elegant), rich, and plump flavor profile is jam-packed with red and black fruits, flowers, and silky tannins that persist throughout its defined and amazingly long finish. This magnificent wine is a testimony to Meunier's dedication, work-ethic, and huge talent. Anticipated maturity: 2004-2012+. Bravo! |
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Champagne | 1 | 99+ (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£1,733.21 |
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Vinous (99+)Light gold. Remarkably perfumed nose projects an exotic bouquet of deep, leesy yellow fruit, minerals, honeycomb, smoked meat and flowers, with Asian spices building expanding in the glass. Almost painfully concentrated, offering a surreal parade of orchard and pit fruits, smoked meat, toasted brioche and marrow braced by intensely salty, stunningly incisive minerality. Imagine a Frankenstein's monster of Chablis Le Clos and Clos Ste. Hune-but one with perfect balance, of course-and you get an idea of what I found in my bottle. The energetic, stony character builds exponentially on the finish, which didn't seem to, well, finish. The best analogy I can come up with for the intensity, focus and clarity of this Champagne is liquefied barbed wire. Utterly hallucinatory and one of the most amazing wines I've ever been fortunate enough to drink. At the risk of sounding completely out of touch with reality, this is a value. |
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Champagne | 1 | 99+ (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£771.20 |
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Vinous (99+)Light gold. Remarkably perfumed nose projects an exotic bouquet of deep, leesy yellow fruit, minerals, honeycomb, smoked meat and flowers, with Asian spices building expanding in the glass. Almost painfully concentrated, offering a surreal parade of orchard and pit fruits, smoked meat, toasted brioche and marrow braced by intensely salty, stunningly incisive minerality. Imagine a Frankenstein's monster of Chablis Le Clos and Clos Ste. Hune-but one with perfect balance, of course-and you get an idea of what I found in my bottle. The energetic, stony character builds exponentially on the finish, which didn't seem to, well, finish. The best analogy I can come up with for the intensity, focus and clarity of this Champagne is liquefied barbed wire. Utterly hallucinatory and one of the most amazing wines I've ever been fortunate enough to drink. At the risk of sounding completely out of touch with reality, this is a value. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 97 (WA) |
Inc. VAT
£2,277.60 |
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Wine Advocate (97)An amazing wine, the 1996 La Mondotte (approximately 800 cases made from a 30-year old parcel of 100% Merlot planted on a hillside between Le Tertre-Roteboeuf and Canon La Gaffeliere) is a super-star. If readers cannot get excited by tasting the 1996, they should change beverages. It is amazing for both its appellation and the vintage, revealing a remarkable level of richness, profound concentration, and integrated tannin. The thick purple color suggests a wine of extraordinary extract and richness. This super-concentrated wine offers a spectacular nose of roasted coffee, licorice, blueberries, and black currants intermixed with smoky new oak. It possesses full body, a multidimensional, layered personality with extraordinary depth of fruit, a seamless texture, amazing viscosity, and a long, 45-second finish. The tannin is sweet and well-integrated. This blockbuster St.-Emilion should be at its best between 2006-2025. A dry, vintage port Fonseca! For its immense size, this wine is neither heavy nor over-done. |
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| Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
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Tuscany | 1 | - |
In Bond
£667.00 |
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Burgundy | 1 | 97 (VN) |
In Bond
£2,952.00 |
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Vinous (97)A Burgundy of tension and bracing energy, the 1996 Rousseau Chambertin is simply magnificent on this night. Time in the glass brings out the wine's stunning inner sweetness and perfume in what is an utterly glorious expression of Pinot Noir and Chambertin. I imagine the 1996 will still be compelling in 30 years' time. Today is transcendental and deeply beautiful. |
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Burgundy | 1 | 97 (VN) |
In Bond
£2,400.00 |
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Vinous (97)Now at 23-years of age, the 1996 Chambertin Grand Cru shows a little bricking on the rim, appropriate with its age. The nose is as fragrant as I remember: wilted iris petals gently waft from the glass, cool and reserved. Indeed, I found this bottle initially aloof and standoffish, like many Côte de Nuits this vintage, before developing more fruit intensity, mainly black rather than red laced with loam and Earl Grey. The palate is just beautifully balanced. It is a stout and swarthy Chambertin so much so that you risk overlooking what for a 1996 is its filigree tannin structure. The fruit profile becomes redder towards the finish with a kiss of sour cherry and orange rind that all feel so precise and sophisticated. This multi-faceted and cerebral Chambertin is reaching its lofty plateau. |
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Piedmont | 2 | 97 (VN) |
In Bond
£527.00 |
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Vinous (97)Tasted from magnum, the 1996 Barolo is absolutely stunning. Vibrant and wonderfully alive, the 1996 exudes class. Time has gently softened the 1996 tannins, rendering the 1996 super-expressive today. Balsamic, mentholated notes, along with scents of tobacco and dried stone fruit continue to open up with time in the glass. The 1996 is still firm and quite powerful, but not as austere as many wines are in this vintage. Tar, licorice and scorched earth add the closing shades of nuance in an impeccably balanced, vivid Barolo that captures the personality of the vintage at its best. |
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Burgundy | 1 | 92-95 (VN) |
In Bond
£2,032.00 |
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Vinous (92-95)Deep, saturated ruby. Flamboyantly perfumed aromas leap from the glass: dark fruits, venison, smoke, minerals, earth and spicy oak. Velvety and palate-caressing but manages to maintain great flavor definition; an uncanny amalgam of power and cut. Intensely fruity and fresh, with better acidity and length than the Charmes. Finishes with completely ripe tannins and great persistence. |
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Burgundy | 1 | 93-95 (WA) |
In Bond
£2,205.00 |
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Wine Advocate (93-95)This magnificent wine offers a medium-to-dark ruby color and an extraordinary nose of perfume, violets, and a myriad of red fruits. I was blown away by this wine's combination of precision, femininity, focus, and jammy, candied cherries. Traces of sweet, vanilla-infused oak grace this wine's complex and concentrated, yet lace-like flavor profile. Medium-to-full-bodied and silky-textured, this wine also possesses a long, soft, gorgeous finish that leaves the taster yearning for more. Finally, a La Romanee worthy of its name! Bravo! to Henriot, Hervet, and Prost for bringing Bouchard to such a high level of quality. |
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Rhone | 1 | 91 (WA) |
In Bond
£175.00 |
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Wine Advocate (91)I was less impressed with the 1996 Cote Rotie La Mordoree from bottle than I was from cask. Michel Chapoutier still believes it is one of the finest examples he has produced, but agrees that the high acidity has left everything in the wine compressed. It is certainly an outstanding offering, but it will require 5-7 years of patience. Made from microscopic yields of 15 hectoliters per hectare, it exhibits a saturated purple color, and a reticent but promising nose of toasty new oak, cassis, black olives, and smoked game. In the mouth, the wine is medium to full-bodied and dense, but the high acidity and compressed, tightly-knit style make it difficult to penetrate. The finish is long, but the wine is backward and unyielding. Anticipated maturity: 2006-2025. Importer: Paterno Imports, Lake Bluff, IL; tel. (847) 604-8900 |
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Rhone | 1 | 99 (WA) |
In Bond
£447.00 |
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Wine Advocate (99)It is no secret that I adore Chapoutier's luxury cuvee of white Hermitage called Cuvee L'Oree. Made from 90-year old vines and microscopic yields of 10-12 hectoliters per hectare, this wine flirts with perfection. It is a compelling white Hermitage. Made from 100% Marsanne, it is as rich and multidimensional as the fullest, most massive Montrachet money can buy. It is unctuously textured, yet extraordinarily and beautifully balanced. I suspect it will drink well early in life, and then shut down for a few years. It should last for 4-5 decades. The 1996 possesses some of the most amazing glycerin levels I have ever seen in a dry white wine. In short, this wine must be tasted to be believed. Importer: Paterno Imports, Lake Bluff, IL; tel. (847) 604-8900 |
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Rhone | 1 | 90-91 (VN) |
In Bond
£334.00 |
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Vinous (90-91)Dark ruby-red. Kirsch, cassis, violet, smoke and spices on the sappy nose. Very bound-up in the mouth today, with strong acidity dominating. I don't currently get the sheer richness of Hermitage, but this is precise, very firmly structured and very young. Finishes with firm tannins and a note of vanillin oak. Should age slowly and well. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 89 (WA) |
In Bond
£408.00 |
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Wine Advocate (89)On one of the three occasions I tasted the 1996 Clos Fourtet from bottle I rated it outstanding (90 points). The color is a saturated dark ruby. The nose offers up sweet black raspberry and blackberry fruit intermixed with toasty oak and floral scents. It is fleshy, surprisingly expansive and forward for a 1996, with low acidity, and a long, multilayered, fruit-driven finish. The tannin is ripe, and thus the fruit comes forward and the wine is seductive and charming. This wine possesses the weight, richness, and extract to last for 15-20 years, but it should be drinkable early. I would not be surprised for readers to feel my score is too conservative based on how well this wine is showing. Anticipated maturity: 2003-2018. |
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Loire | 1 | - |
In Bond
£963.00 |
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Reminiscent of the grandeur of the Loire Valley, the superlative Clos Rougeard Saumur-Champigny Les Poyeux 1996 emerges as an exemplar of Cabernet Franc perfection. Crafted meticulously by the Focault brothers, striking heirs to eight generations of Loire viticulture, this vintage manifests the family's devotion to biodynamic innocence with profound depth and structure. Blossoming in calcareous clay and Turonian limestone slopes of Champigny, the grapes unfold their nuance, displaying a rich spectrum of flavours―breathtaking raspberries, prunes, graphite, and subtle hints of truffle. Maturation in new-barrel oak over an unhurried two years bestows upon Les Poyeux an elegant complexity underpinned by an arresting mineral line. It's a tableau of harmonious contrasts, presented by a meticulously balanced tannin-acid structure. The distinguished Clos Rougeard Saumur-Champigny Les Poyeux 1996, recognised for its longevity, matures gracefully, reserving its full reveal for the patient aficionado. Thus ensuring every illustrious sip offers a timeless journey into its magisterial cradle. |
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Burgundy | 1 | - |
In Bond
£4,954.00 |
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Burgundy | 1 | - |
In Bond
£3,387.00 |
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Recognised as a masterpiece in viticulture, the d'Auvenay Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Folatieres 1996 is a grand testament to the rich wine region of Burgundy, France. Birthed from limestone-rich soil and nourished by an ideal climate, this wine offers a sublime complexity only achieved through careful nurturing. Hand-harvested Chardonnay grapes are fermented using indigenous yeasts, capturing the signature mineral and floral aesthetics unique to Les Folatieres vineyard. The guiding hand behind this finish is none other than Lalou Bize-Leroy, co-owner of Domaine Leroy. Her strict vitality-driven approach in wine making, coupled with organic and biodynamic farming principles, enhances the pure expression of terroir in this 1996 vintage. This wine has aged gracefully, delivering a sensual bouquet of green apple, pear, almond and a whisper of vanilla. On the palate, it stands out for its refined acidity, seamless texture and long, persistent finish, making it a perfect example of the excellence of d'Auvenay Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Folatieres 1996. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 96 (WS) |
In Bond
£1,250.00 |
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Wine Spectator (96)This leans toward the tropical side, with mango and guava notes out front, while maple, date, blood orange and citrus oil flavors fill in behind. The finish kicks into another gear, taking off with honeysuckle, orange blossom and frangipane accents. Has almost unbridled power today, while maintaining serious cut. A very impressive showing in a rather overlooked vintage. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 96 (WS) |
Inc. VAT
£1,569.60 |
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Wine Spectator (96)This leans toward the tropical side, with mango and guava notes out front, while maple, date, blood orange and citrus oil flavors fill in behind. The finish kicks into another gear, taking off with honeysuckle, orange blossom and frangipane accents. Has almost unbridled power today, while maintaining serious cut. A very impressive showing in a rather overlooked vintage. |
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Champagne | 1 | 98 (WA) |
In Bond
£425.00 |
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Wine Advocate (98)The brilliant 1996 Dom Perignon, which has largely disappeared from the marketplace, may be the finest young example of DP I have ever tasted. Notes of crushed rocks, honeysuckle, lemon oil, orange marmalade, and white pear provide a stunning aromatic display as well as palate impression. Great acidity and huge flavor intensity backed up by vibrant acidity make this an exquisite Champagne. It should drink well for 20-25 years, possibly longer. Readers should remember that the 1971 Dom Perignon Rose is still drinking exquisitely. I recently had the 1969 and 1970 Dom Perignons (from magnum), and both were drinking brilliantly. It makes one realize just how long-lived these wines can be. Production is confidential, but there must be hundreds of thousands of cases of Dom Perignon since it available in most of the world’s luxury hotels and restaurants. |
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Burgundy | 1 | 98 (WS) |
In Bond
£11,032.00 |
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Wine Spectator (98)Incredible harmony to this pedigreed red Burgundy. Closed on the nose now, it unfolds layers of elegant yet superripe fruit, wrapping around the palate, coating every taste bud with the silky flavors. Full-bodied and not powerful, it's just lovely, with an aftertaste that seems to last for minutes. Best from 2006 through 2036. -PM |
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Burgundy | 1 | 98 (WS) |
In Bond
£5,461.00 |
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Wine Spectator (98)Incredible harmony to this pedigreed red Burgundy. Closed on the nose now, it unfolds layers of elegant yet superripe fruit, wrapping around the palate, coating every taste bud with the silky flavors. Full-bodied and not powerful, it's just lovely, with an aftertaste that seems to last for minutes. Best from 2006 through 2036. -PM |
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Burgundy | 1 | 98 (WS) |
In Bond
£50,449.00 |
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Wine Spectator (98)Incredible harmony to this pedigreed red Burgundy. Closed on the nose now, it unfolds layers of elegant yet superripe fruit, wrapping around the palate, coating every taste bud with the silky flavors. Full-bodied and not powerful, it's just lovely, with an aftertaste that seems to last for minutes. Best from 2006 through 2036. -PM |
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Burgundy | 1 | 98 (WS) |
In Bond
£41,581.00 |
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Wine Spectator (98)Incredible harmony to this pedigreed red Burgundy. Closed on the nose now, it unfolds layers of elegant yet superripe fruit, wrapping around the palate, coating every taste bud with the silky flavors. Full-bodied and not powerful, it's just lovely, with an aftertaste that seems to last for minutes. Best from 2006 through 2036. -PM |
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Burgundy | 1 | 98 (WS) |
In Bond
£13,366.00 |
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Wine Spectator (98)Incredible harmony to this pedigreed red Burgundy. Closed on the nose now, it unfolds layers of elegant yet superripe fruit, wrapping around the palate, coating every taste bud with the silky flavors. Full-bodied and not powerful, it's just lovely, with an aftertaste that seems to last for minutes. Best from 2006 through 2036. |
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Burgundy | 1 | 95 (VN) |
In Bond
£3,021.00 |
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Vinous (95)The 1996 Romanée-Saint-Vivant Grand Cru puts in a splendid performance. Quite deep in colour (like many Pinots this vintage), it has a bewitching and precise bouquet with dark cherries, crushed stone, iris and oyster shells, gaining more and more delineation as it opens in the glass. The palate is very focused, fresh and vibrant, hints of Earl Grey infusing the red fruit and silky smooth in texture. It displays the femininity of this vineyard, precise and shimmering with energy on the finish. This is a great showing and yet one can tell it has another two or three decades of pleasure to give. Tasted over dinner at Oswald's in London. |
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Burgundy | 1 | 89-92 (VN) |
In Bond
£4,359.00 |
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Vinous (89-92)Excellent deep red. Black raspberry, minerals and smoky oak on the nose: the dark side of Chambolle, particularly in comparison to the redder-fruit '95. Minerally and firm, with excellent density for a village wine but limited complexity. Finishes firm, ripe and persistent. |
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Rhone | 1 | - |
In Bond
£585.00 |
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As a fine wine aficionado, the Fonsalette Cotes Du Rhone Syrah 1996 is indeed a celebration of exceptional viticulture and exquisite taste. Produced in the famed wine region of Cotes Du Rhone, Fonsalette estate's Syrah 1996 is lauded for its robust structure and distinct layers of complex flavours. This magnificent French wine exhibits a vibrant, deep red hue, presenting a nose full of ripe fruits. A taste reveals the skilful artistry behind its production, marrying plush intensity with a refined finish. The estate, owned by Emmanuel Reynaud, prides itself on its traditional methods used for this vintage. The fruit was harvested manually, fermented in concrete vats, then carefully aged in oak barrels. With a reputation that lives up to the Rhone Valley’s illustrious status, each sip of Fonsalette Cotes Du Rhone Syrah 1996 is a testament to its careful craftmanship and unhurried maturation process - a true masterpiece in a bottle. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 91+ (VN (ID)) |
In Bond
£399.00 |
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Vinous - Ian D'Agata (91+)(64% cabernet sauvignon, 26% merlot, 7% cabernet franc and 3% petit verdot; IPT 74; 13% alcohol): Dark ruby. Deep, brooding nose hints at dark plum, blackcurrant, coffee and lavender accented by cinnamon and nutmeg. Enters bright and fresh, then turns richer in the middle, with accessible plum, herb and coffee flavors persisting nicely on the peppery finish, which features chewy tannins. This is at once more herbal and more forward than the 1995. It's also better than I remember it, and although still quite young it offers plenty of appeal. The wine's harmonious acidity makes it seem lighter-bodied than it is. About 40% of the malolactic fermentation was carried out in barriques, compared to a normal one-third. Note that the label states 12.5% alcohol, but the data given to me by the estate shows 13% alcohol. |
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Burgundy | 1 | 92-95 (VN (ST)) |
In Bond
£48,768.00 |
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Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (92-95)Distinctly darker red-ruby color. Floral, highly perfumed aromas of strawberry, raspberry, spearmint and sappy spices. Big, rich and silky, but very fresh and delineated, with terrific cut. Very subtle, expanding aftertaste, with slow-building, very persistent fruit and completely enrobed tannins. Concentrated, classy and complete; a thoroughly ripe Musigny that has benefitted from the late harvesting. |
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Burgundy | 1 | 94-96 (WA) |
In Bond
£676.00 |
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Wine Advocate (94-96)This is a stunning wine. This dark ruby colored beauty displays a beguiling nose of roses, violets, perfume, and candied red fruits that is followed by a super-ripe (sur-maturite!), unbelievably classy, and splendidly balanced character. Its mouth-coating, powerful (yet elegant), rich, and plump flavor profile is jam-packed with red and black fruits, flowers, and silky tannins that persist throughout its defined and amazingly long finish. This magnificent wine is a testimony to Meunier's dedication, work-ethic, and huge talent. Anticipated maturity: 2004-2012+. Bravo! |
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Champagne | 1 | 99+ (VN) |
In Bond
£1,439.00 |
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Vinous (99+)Light gold. Remarkably perfumed nose projects an exotic bouquet of deep, leesy yellow fruit, minerals, honeycomb, smoked meat and flowers, with Asian spices building expanding in the glass. Almost painfully concentrated, offering a surreal parade of orchard and pit fruits, smoked meat, toasted brioche and marrow braced by intensely salty, stunningly incisive minerality. Imagine a Frankenstein's monster of Chablis Le Clos and Clos Ste. Hune-but one with perfect balance, of course-and you get an idea of what I found in my bottle. The energetic, stony character builds exponentially on the finish, which didn't seem to, well, finish. The best analogy I can come up with for the intensity, focus and clarity of this Champagne is liquefied barbed wire. Utterly hallucinatory and one of the most amazing wines I've ever been fortunate enough to drink. At the risk of sounding completely out of touch with reality, this is a value. |
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Champagne | 1 | 99+ (VN) |
In Bond
£640.00 |
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Vinous (99+)Light gold. Remarkably perfumed nose projects an exotic bouquet of deep, leesy yellow fruit, minerals, honeycomb, smoked meat and flowers, with Asian spices building expanding in the glass. Almost painfully concentrated, offering a surreal parade of orchard and pit fruits, smoked meat, toasted brioche and marrow braced by intensely salty, stunningly incisive minerality. Imagine a Frankenstein's monster of Chablis Le Clos and Clos Ste. Hune-but one with perfect balance, of course-and you get an idea of what I found in my bottle. The energetic, stony character builds exponentially on the finish, which didn't seem to, well, finish. The best analogy I can come up with for the intensity, focus and clarity of this Champagne is liquefied barbed wire. Utterly hallucinatory and one of the most amazing wines I've ever been fortunate enough to drink. At the risk of sounding completely out of touch with reality, this is a value. |
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Bordeaux | 1 | 97 (WA) |
Inc. VAT
£2,277.60 |
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Wine Advocate (97)An amazing wine, the 1996 La Mondotte (approximately 800 cases made from a 30-year old parcel of 100% Merlot planted on a hillside between Le Tertre-Roteboeuf and Canon La Gaffeliere) is a super-star. If readers cannot get excited by tasting the 1996, they should change beverages. It is amazing for both its appellation and the vintage, revealing a remarkable level of richness, profound concentration, and integrated tannin. The thick purple color suggests a wine of extraordinary extract and richness. This super-concentrated wine offers a spectacular nose of roasted coffee, licorice, blueberries, and black currants intermixed with smoky new oak. It possesses full body, a multidimensional, layered personality with extraordinary depth of fruit, a seamless texture, amazing viscosity, and a long, 45-second finish. The tannin is sweet and well-integrated. This blockbuster St.-Emilion should be at its best between 2006-2025. A dry, vintage port Fonseca! For its immense size, this wine is neither heavy nor over-done. |
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