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Date Printed: 5/18/2013
Beaulieu Vineyard Georges de Latour Private Reserve 1996
Beaulieu Vineyard Georges de Latour Private Reserve 1996
 (search item no. 22587)
collectible wine

Wine Spectator rating: 92 points
PRICE ON 5/18/2013: $107.99

ratings pedigree (past vintages):
2009 Wine Spectator rating: 93 points
2009 The Wine Advocate rating: 93 points
2009 International Wine Cellar rating: 93 points
2008 Wine Spectator rating: 93 points
2008 The Wine Advocate rating: 93 points
2007 The Wine Advocate rating: 95 points
2007 International Wine Cellar rating: 93 points
2007 Connoisseurs' Guide rating: 93 points
2007 Wine Spectator rating: 91 points
2006 Wine Enthusiast rating: 95 points
2006 Connoisseurs' Guide rating: 92 points
2006 Wine & Spirits rating: 91 points
2005 Wine Enthusiast rating: 95 points
2005 The Wine News rating: 92 points
2004 Wine Enthusiast rating: 95 points
2004 Wine & Spirits rating: 93 points
2003 Wine Enthusiast rating: 95 points
2002 The Wine News rating: 95 points
2002 Wine Enthusiast rating: 92 points
2001 Wine Enthusiast rating: 93 points
2000 Wine Spectator rating: 92 points
2000 Wine Enthusiast rating: 92 points
1999 Wine & Spirits rating: 91 points
1998 Wine Enthusiast rating: 91 points
1997 Wine Spectator rating: 95 points
1997 The Wine Advocate rating: 94 points
1997 Wine Enthusiast rating: 94 points
1997 Wine & Spirits rating: 92 points
1995 Wine Spectator rating: 93 points
1982 The Wine Advocate rating: 90 points

Winemaker's Notes:

 Nearly opaque, magenta-ruby color. Strong, sweet cassis, blackberry, roasted chestnut and herbal aromas are framed by definitive but not overarching vanilla-oak scents providing additional nuance. Ripe and sweet blackberry cabernet flavors show succulent fruit and mid-palate texture, with full body and ample mouthfeel. Firm but ripe tannins add structural support in the finish. An enjoyable and fleshy wine now, it should age well for two decades or more.

"Ripe, round and smooth, with a core of coffee, currant, sage, cedar and spice. Gains nuance and complexity on the finish, where the tannins are firm and integrated. Wonderful texture and polish. Drink now through 2008."
-Wine Spectator
My Notes:

Additional wines from Beaulieu Vineyard:

About Beaulieu Vineyard:

 The deep roots of Beaulieu Vineyard were first planted back in 1900, when founder Georges de Latour noticed similarities with his native Bordeaux and declared the Napa Valley ideal for winemaking. Planting vineyards in Rutherford with grafted, phylloxera-resistent French vines, the Cabernet Sauvignon that de Latour crafted from these grapes gave the world a taste of California's promise as a world-class winemaking region. In 1938, de Latour hired the young Russian-French enologist, Andre Tchelistcheff. Today, Beaulieu continues to turn to innovative practices. Most recently, they completed a new state-of-the-art winery within one of their original buildings. The Georges de Latour Private Reserve Winery utilizes the latest technology in combination with time-honored traditions for the production of this exceptional wine.