WTN" 1996 Talbot

Betsy made ribeyes with a black olive sauce, broccoli with parmesan and lemon, and a sweet potato for our Valentines dinner. When she said ribeye I had envisioned a fairly serious Bordeaux, but when I saw the olive vinaigrette and the lemon on the broccoli, I decided to scale back what I was opening. A more modest wine, a half of the 1996 Ch. Talbot (St Julien), did well. Rich cassis fruit, some cigarbox and leather, a little smoke. Ripe, decent acidity, with some lingering tannins. Not a great Bordeaux, but a great value (I paid bought a case of 375s at $290 a couple years ago, this is a nice $12 half bottle!). B+

Not a great Bordeaux, but a great value (I paid bought a case of 375s at $290 a couple years ago, this is a nice $12 half bottle!). B+

Dale, Thanks for your post. I love 1996 Talbot, and ’96 Gloria, and Branaire, too. You know somehow I have completely broken away from comparing one Bordeaux to another in terms of it being better or worse, though. If I compared my wife to Diane Lane, for an analogy, it would not benefit me. I wouldn’t trade, even though most if not all people who are not friends of my wife would think Diane should be rated higher. It’s nice when drinking a 1996 Talbot, which I like about as much as anything when I am drinking one, that I don’t have to reflect on it not reaching A-. I can’t say for sure, but I think my recent change of view is similar to what William James taught. A practical ethic. I’m not a multimillionaire.

I can compare a Bordeaux to the mood, though, or the venue, or the food – whether the wine is perfect for the moment or not, which casts no aspersion, since it could be perfect for another occasion if not for the one I am in. But often I can let the wine change the moment to accommodate it so that the wine can be perfect, no matter what.

Such with another “second place” wine, 2001 Bahans Haut Brion, a bottle of which Lynn and I drank last night to commemorate St. Valentine's sacrifice. It surprised us! We both liked it as much as we ever liked any wine when we drank it; even though idealistically objective people would not call it great. I’ll bet you would get at least a B+ out of it. And it is true to its last. Wonderful tobacco with sweet cassis and minerals, and with that gravel texture; I can never decide whether it comes from perception of the appellation or the actual glass of wine.

Best,

Covert

I can't say that I ever remember thinking "this isn't an A wine, " I tend to try to enjoy whatever I have and then decide on my (non-objective inconsistent ) grade later.
I generally like Bahans Haut Brion a lot. Probably my favorite second (that I can afford).
If you truly can appreciate and enjoy each Bordeaux as much without ever making mental comparisons, you might as well stick to only under $15 bottles, why waste money?

I can't say that I ever remember thinking "this isn't an A wine, " I tend to try to enjoy whatever I have and then decide on my (non-objective inconsistent ) grade later.
I generally like Bahans Haut Brion a lot. Probably my favorite second (that I can afford).
If you truly can appreciate and enjoy each Bordeaux as much without ever making mental comparisons, you might as well stick to only under $15 bottles, why waste money?

You are right. Nobody can do anything without making mental comparisons. Idealistically I just try to. Also, most things I say are designed to impart an impression, not really relate fact. Everything I say is as much BS as not. But I reserve my right to say it.