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I have drunk this a half dozen times in the last six months and it always amazes me. The Recently Disgorged Bolly is...
WE
97
JS
97
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750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $490.67
Even richer than the brilliant 1990, the 1996 is still tightly wound, but reveals tremendous aromatic intensity,...
WA
98
BH
97
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750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $663.73
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This shows amazing freshness and depth of fruit while remaining agile and very clean. Full body, dense and layered on...
JS
100
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99
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750ml - Case of 6
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1.5Ltr - Case of 3
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A sculpted Champagne, with a steely backbone of acidity swathed in a fine and silky texture, offering rich flavors of...
WS
97
JD
96
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1.5Ltr - 1 Bottle
Bottle: $577.21 $614.05
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750ml - 1 Bottle
Bottle: $3579.95 $3806.72
Somewhat surprisingly, Krug presents the much-anticipated 1996 Blanc de Noirs Clos d’Ambonnay as the first wine in...
WA
95
VM
95
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750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $620.95
It's hard to imagine how a wine of this power can sustain perfect balance What is now a more nonchalant intensity in...
W&S
100
WS
99
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THE EYE: A pale, translucent gold, with radiant clarity and subtle glints of apple green. THE NOSE: Fresh and...
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750ml - Case of 6
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Rated 99 - Maturing into a medium golden color, the 1996 Salon reveals open-knit, alluring scents of butterscotch,...
WA
99
WNR
99
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750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $328.95
To the eye, La Grande Dame 1996 presents a color with bright, golden glints. The initial nose reveals a strong,...

Assyrtiko Champagne Blend Mencia 1996

Cultivated since at least the middle of the Byzantine era, the Assyrtiko grape is generally considered to be one the finest of the Greek grape varietals, as a result of its multi-purpose properties and ability to flourish on a wide range of terrains. The ancient Byzantines used it in conjunction with Aidani and Athiri grapes for the production of their unusual and naturally sweet Vinsanto wines, which are still produced today in Santorini, and continue to be popular. However, the Assyrtiko grapes are used for many different AOC wines across Greece, and are favored by wine makers who want to maintain a dryness and acidic punch to their produce.

The Assyrtiko grapes are renowned for their ability to maintain their acidity as they ripen beneath the blazing Mediterranean sun, resulting in wines which have a distinctive dryness and a range of citrus fruit aromas, as well as great structure and high tannins. Often, Assyrtiko grapes will produce wines which leave an unusual after-taste reminiscent of the mineral rich, volcanic soils they are grown in on the slopes of Santorini, making them a favorite for wine drinkers looking for something full of character and interesting attributes. The past twenty five years have seen Assyrtiko vines planted all over the Greek mainland, and even in Attica and Macedonia, where the softer terrain often produces more fruit forward wines with a milder, less astringent character. However, wherever this fine grape varietal is grown, it is rare the results will be anything less than excellent.

Additional Information on Greek Wines


Greek Wines
Ancient Greek Wines – A Brief History of Wine in Greece
The Myth of Dionysus, Greek God of Wine
What is Retsina?

The sparkling wines of Champagne have been revered by wine drinkers for hundreds of years, and even today they maintain their reputation for excellence of flavor and character, and are consistently associated with quality, decadence, and a cause for celebration. Their unique characteristics are partly due to the careful blending of a small number of selected grape varietals, most commonly Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. These grapes, blended in fairly equal quantities, give the wines of Champagne their wonderful flavors and aromas, with the Pinot Noir offering length and backbone, and the Chardonnay varietal giving its acidity and dry, biscuity nature. It isn't unusual to sometimes see Champagne labeled as 'blanc de blanc', meaning it is made using only Chardonnay varietal grapes, or 'blanc de noir', which is made solely with Pinot Noir.