This lot is comprised of 1 bottle(s) of 1996 Chateau Palmer Margaux - 750ml. Estimate for this lot is between $320 - $460 with a reserve of $240. The wine in this lot belongs to collection 11489.
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This consignor was raised by parents who always opened a bottle of wine with dinner, and he fondly remembers Gruaud-Larose. His early interest developed into a passion in 1993. Around that time, he was in Bordeaux and had heard of Chateau Margaux, so he went there, climbed the steps and rang the bell, and they granted him a visit. He started collecting that day and purchased 1990 Chateau Margaux in the village for $80 a bottle. He then started buying more wine, participated in wine events, traveled to several wine producing regions on many occasions and even got married at Château Smith Haut-Laffite. He purchased mainly from SAQ, LCBO but also from Berry Bros and Rudd, Hi-Time Wine Cellars in Costa Mesa and directly from importers for certain rare wines. He has also managed to get allocations directly from some producers including Harlan, Sine qua non, Kosta Browne and Williams Selyem. The bottles were all stored in a temperature-controlled cellar prior to auction.
The tasting note for 1996 Chateau Palmer Margaux is from Robert Parker and the score is 91 - Tasted at the Château Palmer vertical in London, the 1996 Château Palmer is a wine that never quite fulfilled its potential. There is satisfactory fruit intensity on the nose, blackberry and truffle, a touch of vanilla and violet developing with time in the glass. The palate still feels a little backward, but there is good grip and freshness. This is a harmonious 1996 Margaux and yet it feels conservative and straight-laced on the tobacco-infused finish. It is quite a "serious" Palmer, yet it does not quite back it up in terms of complexity or, for want of a better word, "soul." Good...but you end up wanting more, especially having tasted the likes of 2000, 2005 and 2010 alongside.