1996

Bâtard-Montrachet

(Ex Estate in 2019) OHK
Grand Cru

Domaine Leflaive

Description

1996 Bâtard-Montrachet, Domaine Leflaive

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate:
1996 is particularly successful for Batard-Montrachet. Leflaive's explodes from the glass with highly-expressive mineral, hazelnut and toasty oak aromas. On the palate, this full-bodied, silky and awesomely rich wine has highly-delineated yet fat and layered waves of white fruits, stones and spices. Brawny yet feminine, powerful yet elegant, this gem is a tour de force!

Stephen Tanzer's:
Very ripe aromas of pit fruits, smoke, grilled nuts and clove. Fatter and thicker than the Bienvenue but also drier. Quite subtle for this wine; solidly built but a bit less massive than some recent vintages. Finishes extremely long and subtle. 

Vinous:
The 1996 Bâtard-Montrachet from Domaine Leflaive rounds out the whites. Sensual, subtle and finely knit, the 1996 has lost some of the energy it had as a younger wine and now speaks with more nuance. In retrospect, the 1996 would have probably shown better with a bit more air or decanting.