Chateau Gazin   Chateau Gazin

1996 Chateau Gazin

By Chateau Gazin

1996 Chateau Gazin from Chateau Gazin, Pomerol, Bordeaux

The enigmatic 1996 vintage of Chateau Gazin from the renowned Pomerol estate presents an intriguing chapter in the annals of Bordeaux. The late twentieth-century witnessed this stalwart domain consistently producing wines of elegance and complexity, yet it is the '96 that offers a peculiar charm that continues to unfurl even decades later.

 

A Testament to Terroir and Tenacity

Bearing the hallmark of a challenging season, shaped by a cool early summer followed by a miraculous late-season rally in weather, the 1996 Chateau Gazin articulates the resilience of its terroir. This vintage mirrors the élan of Pomerol, a region famed for mercurial climatic conditions that demand both deftness and fortitude from its vignerons.

The '96 is an exemplar of deft winemaking paired with Pomerol’s rich clay soils. It showcases a finer structure than its immediate predecessors, gifting investors and enthusiasts with a measured balance between power and poise which contributes to its enduring appeal.

 

Age: A Patina of Excellence

As one delves into the wine's more mature persona, they find it has retained a commendable vigour. The Merlot-led symphony engages with soft whispers of blackcurrant and truffle undertones—a signature note of Bordelais excellence—while tannins render a fascinating patina rather than a grip, signalling an evolutionary plateau where primary fruit subsides and tertiary notes arise triumphant.

In wine investment circles, the stature of the vintage often plays a crucial role in portfolio selections, and the 1996 Chateau Gazin reverberates with potential. Its performance over time suggests more than mere maturity; it embodies transformation – an eternal dance between fruit and earth, bearing witness to nature's rhythm. It stands without dispute that this vintage occupies a unique position—talented yet whimsical—in the tapestry woven by Pomerol's illustrious history. Thus, I commend the 1996 Chateau Gazin as an intriguing prospect for those who are drawn to contemplative Bordeaux featuring elegance born out of adversity. As we consider future climatic shifts, wines like this one offer vital clues within their liquid annals.

Current market price

$1,770.00

12x75cl

Highest score

89

POP score

117.78

Scores and tasting notes

89

Gazin has been one of the most impressive Pomerols over the last decade. That's good news for consumers since it is a large estate, with the potential to produce 10,000 cases. The 1996 is an atypically tannic, serious Gazin with a dense ruby/purple color, and lavish quantities of toasty new oak in the nose intermixed with licorice, black cherries, and mocha/coffee notes. The wine displays excellent concentration, but is backward, with medium to full body, and moderately high tannin. Give it 5-6 years of cellaring as it will be potentially long-lived. It is unquestionably an impressive effort for a 1996 Pomerol. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2018.

Robert Parker Jr - The Wine Advocate, 22 April 1999

Vintage performance