1996 Reserve Claret
This is another great Reserve Claret from the top of the mountain. This classic blend of 63% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petite Verdot offers an incredibly overt aromatic display of ripe blackberry, wild violet, cedar and camphor. On the palate, chocolate nuances evolve from a sweet round middle. Ripe berry flavors linger for minutes on end and marry in an astounding finish. Tannins are ample, yet soft and approachable. This ’96 Claret takes us to a new level for this class of blend and represents what a true reserve wine should be.
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Profile
| Appellation: | Napa Valley |
|---|---|
| Vintage: | 1996 |
| Harvest: | October 1996 |
| Fermentation: | Stainless Steel |
| Cooperage: | Select French Oak |
| Blend: | 63% Merlot, 32% Cab. Sauv., 5% Petite Verdot |
| Alcohol: | 14.1 % |
| Bottling: | February 1999 |
| Production: | 224 cases |
| Release Date: | September 01, 1998 |
- November 02, 2007 Connoisseurs' Guide, Dec. 1999, Pg. 34
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Rating: 2 Puffs
Despite its limited bottling status, this deep and long-aging bottling from Pride Mountain certainly should not be overlooked on your up-coming wine-buying forays. It is deep yet still closed-in with tight, oaky, black cherry and dried currant aromas and, while somewhat more open at the front of the palate, its compact, oak-enriched flavors firm up and run into a noticeable bit of latter palate tannin. Five to eight years in bottle will see this sturdy but stunning wine achieving its substantial promise. - November 02, 2007 The Wine Advocate, Aug. 24, 1999, Issue 24, Pg. 43/44
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Rating: 95
Nearly as spectacular as the 1996 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is the 1996 Reserve Claret. A blend of 63% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Petite Verdot (230 cases), it is a gorgeously balanced, super-concentrated yet hauntingly symmetrical wine with copious quantities of black fruits, spicy new oak, minerals, licorice, and roasted herbs. Full-bodied, with a cherry liqueur-like richness to its fruit, this wine has loads of glycerin, fabulous extract, and no hard edges. The velvety finish lasts for 40+ seconds. These are spectacular wines that must be tasted to be believed.
- November 02, 2007 International Wine Cellar, May/June 1999, Pg. 53
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Rating: 92
Full ruby color. Sexy oak complements cassis, graphite and smoke aromas. Tightly wrapped on the palate, but clearly more intensely flavored than the last sample. Lovely minerally inner-mouth perfume. Big but unevolved. Finishes quite strong, with firm tannins supported by sheer material. Impressive wine
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