The 1999 Chateau Margaux had been tucked away on the bottom rack of my cellar (read closet) for 10 years. It was time to drink it I decided on my birthday and it turned out to be quite the celebration wine.
The bottle was in perfect condition, no visible ullage or leakage. When opened the cork was as perfect as the day it was bottled. But the wine...oh what heaven! The color was dark purple and inky right to the edge of the glass. No signs of aging were evident. Aromas of tar, asphalt, cigar box and blackberries swirled out of the glass. The depth of flavor and complexity in the wine was incredible. At first fairly tight and closed (it could have aged for at least another 5 to 10 years with no problem) the flavors of dark fruits and vanilla blended into smooth, rich, velvety nectar with such finely integrated tannins the overall effect was a perfect circle in the mouth. The finish lingered and amplified with air as the fruit became more pronounced over the course of an hour or so. I see very little of the 1999 vintage around here. At today's prices the bottle would sell for about $1200.00. So I decided to really say "Happy Birthday" to me!
Copyright Marc R. Kauffman 2008 - 2011. All rights reserved.
