Le Dôme St Emilion Grand Cru 1996

First vintage of a wine that would quickly become a cult St Emilion. Burnished ruby red, fragrant rose petals, chalky tannins, liquorice, orange blossom, sweet brambled raspberry and bracken tugs through the palate. Fully in its drinking window, still delicious and fragrant, plenty of grip and lift, far more delicate than its early years might have suggested, softens to walnut and undergrowth after an hour of opening. Just a lovely wine, begging to be shared. Neil Whyte winemaker, Jonathan Maltus owner. 100% new oak.