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Red
12 FREE
Red
750ml
Bottle: $133.88
12 bottles: $131.20
12 FREE
Sale
Red
750ml
Bottle: $169.89 $184.20
Dark ruby. Deep, brooding nose hints at dark plum, blackcurrant, coffee and lavender accented by cinnamon and...
12 FREE
VM
91
WS
90
Sale
Red
750ml
Bottle: $1513.35 $1681.50
The 1996 Lafite-Rothschild is unquestionably this renowned estate's greatest wine. As I indicated last year, only 38%...
12 FREE
WA
100
Sale
Red
750ml
Bottle: $1296.18 $1440.20
Softly spoken, fine tannins, pencil lead and leather, with truffle, earth, campfire and spice. Long drawn out finish,...
12 FREE
DC
100
WA
100
Sale
Red
750ml
Bottle: $476.55 $529.50
Tasted over dinner in July 2009.
12 FREE
VM
94
WA
91
Case only
Long-term Pre-Arrival
Red
750ml - Case of 12
Bottle: $453.86
It's extremely rare to taste older vintages of Angélus. It's utterly sumptuous, and it's such a shame that the...
DC
95
WS
92
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Red
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $501.01
It's extremely rare to taste older vintages of Angélus. It's utterly sumptuous, and it's such a shame that the...
DC
95
WS
92
Case only
Long-term Pre-Arrival
Red
750ml - Case of 12
Bottle: $104.45
Case only
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Red
750ml - Case of 12
Bottle: $117.92
Case only
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Red
750ml - Case of 12
Bottle: $190.29
This is a backward, muscular, highly-extracted wine with a boatload of tannin, thus the question mark. The saturated...
WA
91
Case only
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Red
750ml - Case of 12
Bottle: $58.87
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Red
1.5Ltr - Case of 6
Bottle: $229.55
Case only
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Red
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $98.31
A wine must reflect its terroir, its origins. We strongly believe that the uniqueness of the vineyard’s location is...
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Red
750ml - Case of 12
Bottle: $567.96
While in some vintages La Mission Haut-Brion and Haut-Brion can be close in quality, that is not the case in this...
WA
95
WS
93
Case only
Long-term Pre-Arrival
Red
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $544.95
While in some vintages La Mission Haut-Brion and Haut-Brion can be close in quality, that is not the case in this...
WA
95
WS
93
Case only
Long-term Pre-Arrival
Red
750ml - Case of 12
Bottle: $67.20
Case only
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Red
1.5Ltr - Case of 6
Bottle: $1059.02
Many 1996 are still pretty closed up right now, as it was a vintage with fairly hefty tannins but this is perfect for...
DC
95
VM
93
Case only
Long-term Pre-Arrival
Red
750ml - Case of 12
Bottle: $1024.95
The 1996 Lafite-Rothschild is unquestionably this renowned estate's greatest wine. As I indicated last year, only 38%...
WA
100
Case only
Long-term Pre-Arrival
Red
750ml - Case of 3
Bottle: $1600.00
The 1996 Lafite-Rothschild is unquestionably this renowned estate's greatest wine. As I indicated last year, only 38%...
WA
100

Assyrtiko Carmenere Red Bordeaux 1996 Wine

Cultivated since at least the middle of the Byzantine era, the Assyrtiko grape is generally considered to be one the finest of the Greek grape varietals, as a result of its multi-purpose properties and ability to flourish on a wide range of terrains. The ancient Byzantines used it in conjunction with Aidani and Athiri grapes for the production of their unusual and naturally sweet Vinsanto wines, which are still produced today in Santorini, and continue to be popular. However, the Assyrtiko grapes are used for many different AOC wines across Greece, and are favored by wine makers who want to maintain a dryness and acidic punch to their produce.

The Assyrtiko grapes are renowned for their ability to maintain their acidity as they ripen beneath the blazing Mediterranean sun, resulting in wines which have a distinctive dryness and a range of citrus fruit aromas, as well as great structure and high tannins. Often, Assyrtiko grapes will produce wines which leave an unusual after-taste reminiscent of the mineral rich, volcanic soils they are grown in on the slopes of Santorini, making them a favorite for wine drinkers looking for something full of character and interesting attributes. The past twenty five years have seen Assyrtiko vines planted all over the Greek mainland, and even in Attica and Macedonia, where the softer terrain often produces more fruit forward wines with a milder, less astringent character. However, wherever this fine grape varietal is grown, it is rare the results will be anything less than excellent.

Additional Information on Greek Wines


Greek Wines
Ancient Greek Wines – A Brief History of Wine in Greece
The Myth of Dionysus, Greek God of Wine
What is Retsina?

The deep blue colored grapes of the Carmenere varietal have their origins in France, where they are still listed as one of the elite grape varietals allowed by French law for the use in Bordeaux wines, generally regarded to be the finest in the world. However, the use of Carmenere grapes in France has been dwindling for many decades now, and it has been in several New World countries where they have seen their renaissance. Although still mostly used as a blending grape, single variety Carmenere wines are greatly sought after as a result of their deep, complex aromas, stunning blood red color and the fact that the grapes, when processed at optimum ripeness, carry some fascinating flavors, including chocolate, tobacco, and spicy cherry notes.

There are few regions in the world with stricter regulations in regards to wine production and grape varietals than those found in Bordeaux, France. Here, in the home of the world's finest wines, the type and quality of grapes used is of utmost importance, and the legendary wineries which work on the banks of the Gironde river have mastered the careful art of juice blending to find the perfect balance for their produce. Whilst there are six 'official' Bordeaux grapes, the two key varietals for almost every fine Bordeaux wine are Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, and with good reason. Whilst Cabernet Sauvignon grapes are renowned for their acidity and astringency, strong fruit and spice flavors and full body, Merlot grapes are notably rounded, soft, fleshy and lighter on tannin. The combination of these two varietals, along with a small percentage of (commonly) Petit Verdot or Cabernet Franc, is the perfect balancing act – the two grape varietals cancel out each others weaker points, and accentuate all that is good about the other.