1996 Meursault Genevrieres
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Tasting notes
While this vintage is certainly far from risk-free, the quality of this perfect bottle of Lafon's 1996 Meursault 1er Cru Genevrières was a poignant reminder of just what has been lost to the scourge of premature oxidation. Offering up aromas of ripe pears, drawn butter, confit citrus, honeycomb and spices, it's medium to full-bodied, satiny and concentrated, with a deep, layered and incisive palate, concluding with a long, sapid finish.
Critic scores
Average Score
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
William Kelley, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
Bright lime and leesy aromas. Also very young and backward; superb sweetness is given thrust by framing acidity. Beautifully balanced wine. The dusty finish verges on painful. The crop level here was just 30 hectoliters per hectare, compared to about 40 for the Charmes. Aged in a lower percentage of new barrels than the Charmes and Perrieres, says Lafon, due to Genevriere's more elegant nature. Incidentally, Lafon told me that, especially with the '97 vintage, he is preparing his new barrels with a hot water and salt solution in an attempt to downplay the flavors of new oak.