The Auswine Forum

So the '96/'98 poll was fairly conclusive.

Now lets hear what is the best 1996 btl you've had the pleasure in tasting.

For me it was undoubtedly the Coriole Lloyd Reserve shiraz. Super smooth/intensely concentrated and as long a finish you could hope for.

PS I have 2 x '96 Grange but yet to try....one day.

ross

St Henri. Had 3 bottles of it and all were rich savoury liquid gold. Still plenty left in this beauty.

I have a 96 Hill of Grace that I can’t wait to try.

Bet the unheard of 389 will pop up soon........

Sam

Partagas wrote:St Henri. Had 3 bottles of it and all were rich savoury liquid gold. Still plenty left in this beauty.

Sam

I didn't vote in the poll because I think it's a lot more even than people think - definitely region influenced (as Gary indicated in his list) and probably just as much winery influenced too.

That said, I still rate the 1996 St Henri as the best dry red I have ever tried.

Cheers,
Ian

Toss a coin - St Henri 96 or Seppelt Dorrien 96. I've a bottle of each left.

daz

n4sir wrote:That said, I still rate the 1996 St Henri as the best dry red I have ever tried.

That bodes well. Have two bottles with perfect provenance stashed away.

Strangely enough I just had my first 96 St Henri tonight. It was very, very good. Unbelievably youthful. It was served to me blind, and my first guess was "Australian Mourvedre", my friend then revealed that it was a Penfolds bottle and I said "Oh, St Henri then". But I then guessed 2002 for the year and was blown away when it was the 1996 - there was no visible browning of the edges and it didn't have that "old wine" smell. The wine has EASILY another 10 years left in it, probably 15, but it drinks very well now. However, when left decanted for 5 hours it developed an ugly petrol smell/taste. My friend said it drank fine straight out of the bottle, so I would avoid over-decanting.

My contribution to our evening was a 1993 Howard Park Cabernet Merlot, which also showed very well. In fact I enjoyed it just as much as the St Henri, but then I tend to prefer Cabernet to Shiraz. The St Henri certainly had better fruit quality, but the Howard Park had developed some really lovely secondary leather qualities.

n4sir wrote:

Partagas wrote:St Henri. Had 3 bottles of it and all were rich savoury liquid gold. Still plenty left in this beauty.

Sam

I didn't vote in the poll because I think it's a lot more even than people think - definitely region influenced (as Gary indicated in his list) and probably just as much winery influenced too.

That said, I still rate the 1996 St Henri as the best dry red I have ever tried.

Cheers,
Ian

This got me thinking of my best ever dry red - I don't think I have one. I have a best white (Blain-Gagnard 1995 Batard-Montrachet Grand Cru), a best bubbles (Krug MV) and a best pinot (Paringa Estate Reserve 2004). As far as cabernet/shiraz/etc goes though, there are a lot of contenders and I don't think any stands out in my mind as best.

Errrmm, it was best 1996 Australian red wine we were talking about?

Is the Krug MV powered by diesel, petrol or ethanol?

I can't narrow it down to 1. For Aussie wines from 1996 it would be a 3-way dead heat between Penfolds Block 42 Cabernet, Penfolds Grange and Rockford Basket Press shiraz. The Rockford SVSs are pretty good too.

For my tastes, these are superior to the St Henri (and I'm a huge St Henri fan) and the Bin 389.

Mike

I've been sitting on my last bottle of 96 StH for ages and ages now. This inspires me to give it a go, even if it could well go longer. Something to look forward to this weekend!

Well I had 3 bottles of 96 HoG but couldn't resist selling them all once they went over $ 400 at auctions.

Rockford BP for me.
I haven't opened any 389s yet.
I didn't vote either, still undecided.

n4sir wrote:

Partagas wrote:St Henri. Had 3 bottles of it and all were rich savoury liquid gold. Still plenty left in this beauty.

Sam

I didn't vote in the poll because I think it's a lot more even than people think - definitely region influenced (as Gary indicated in his list) and probably just as much winery influenced too.

That said, I still rate the 1996 St Henri as the best dry red I have ever tried.

Cheers,
Ian

Australian: Agree with you guys. The 96 St Henri is drinking beautifully at present, and is definitely still going strong. However, the 96 Grange is an awesome, awesome wine!!! this will have to be my pick for Australian wine of 96. However, I have not tried the Block 42 yet. Heard great things of this one...

As to 96's abroad that I could comment on:

Champagne: 96 Dom Perignon (see monthly 1996 post)
Bordeaux: 96 First growths are all stunning, but the Ausone drinking phenomenally well at present, but the Latour and Lafite likely to be great in the long run. The Las Casses is also a phenomenal drink.
Burgundy: Still discovering these, but so far, the 96 Rousseau Chambertin (again see monthly 1996 post).

Cheers,

Monghead.

For me 96 Grange, 96 Stonyridge Larose, 96 Martinborough Vineyards Reserve Pinot Noir, 96 Dry River Gewurztraminer, 96 Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc.

96 was a great year for white wine in NZ with very long lived white wines. Hasnt been a better one since I dont think speaking overall.

Obviously 96 was pretty good for left bank bdx too but can't really think of any big names ive tried yet from that vintage (have a 96 ch latour for future drinking though also grange and block 42. Back then wines of that stature were affordable - not anymore)

petaluma coonawarra - life changing moment

Tried 2 '96 Bin 389's last year - would have guessed from 2002 if blind also. Bit disappointing with all the hype. Definetly keeping the remaining 4 for a long time.

'96 Bin 28 is my favourite.

Roscoe wrote:Rockford BP for me.
I haven't opened any 389s yet.
I didn't vote either, still undecided.

I'm glad you didn't vote then as you would have totally buggered up the statistical validity of the poll had you so done.

grahamg wrote:Tried 2 '96 Bin 389's last year - would have guessed from 2002 if blind also. Bit disappointing with all the hype. Definetly keeping the remaining 4 for a long time.

'96 Bin 28 is my favourite.

Agreed, 96 Bin 28 is a good 'un for sure.

1996 Grange in my view is without equal in Australia.
Cheers,
Attila

ufo wrote:Well I had 3 bottles of 96 HoG but couldn't resist selling them all once they went over $ 400 at auctions.

On that note, have you tried it and if so what was it like? Does it get near to Grange?

Attila wrote:1996 Grange in my view is without equal in Australia.
Cheers,
Attila

Glad that's the only bottle of Grange I have

Partagas wrote:

ufo wrote:Well I had 3 bottles of 96 HoG but couldn't resist selling them all once they went over $ 400 at auctions.

On that note, have you tried it and if so what was it like? Does it get near to Grange?

Of the 96's, the HoG is a great wine, but I think the Grange has it beat by a country mile.

I still can't believe that at auction, the 96 grange goes for less than the 98 and 02!!!!

Monghead.

Another vote for Grange 96, what a wine. Thumbs up for 96 St Henri, Dom Perignon, Pol Roger, Lanson and Lehmanns Stonewell.

Jamie

Another vote for Grange 96, what a wine. Thumbs up for 96 St Henri, Dom Perignon, Pol Roger, Lanson and Lehmanns Stonewell.

Jamie

I really enjoyed the 1996 Leasingham Classic Clare. On some days this may be my favourite 1996. Agree 96 pennies reds are the go. Downhill since then.

cheers
Andrew.

Agree with CraigNZ, I remember a number of crucifixions taking place for advocating 96 over 98 back in the day.

Mike Hawkins wrote:I can't narrow it down to 1. For Aussie wines from 1996 it would be a 3-way dead heat between Penfolds Block 42 Cabernet, Penfolds Grange and Rockford Basket Press shiraz. The Rockford SVSs are pretty good too.

For my tastes, these are superior to the St Henri (and I'm a huge St Henri fan) and the Bin 389.

Mike

I've tried a few bottles of the Basket Press and haven't struck an impressive one to date - I reckon there must be some bottle variation with this vintage.

I bought the Block 42 and Grange, but haven't tried them yet - I was hoping to try the Grange at a Penfolds dinner scheduled for the end of 2007, but unfortunately it got canceled at the last minute.

Cheers,
Ian

Ian,

Your best bet is to drink someone elses and keep your own until they're drinking at their peak !

Mike