1996 Stonyridge Larose Cabernets.  This legendary Waiheke Blend of five Bordeaux varieties has always been expensive and a luxury for us.  It is a New Zealand icon in the true sense of the word. This well cellared example of a great vintage smashed and exceeded every high expectation I had.  No words can give it justice. It simply is perfection in a glass.  It is still youthful and vibrant, dark ruby purple. The nose is beautifully woven displaying blackberries, cream and pencil shavings. It is so brilliantly classical Bordeaux. The palate almost bring you to tears (yeah ok sounds pathetic but hey let me wax lyrical).  The tannins are completely resolved. The fruit is perfectly ripe, fresh, plump and creamy with creamy blackberry, and fresh dark plum. Everything is so precise and classy.  This is elegance personified, brilliance in liquid form.  It is the essence of why I am captured by wine.  Just utterly amazing, one of the best wines I have ever had. Stonyridge deserves its reputation. Doubters can jump into the cold deep as far as I am concerned. This simply is brilliant. What more can I say? If you have any I would nearly consider trading them for my children. 105/109

Pictured Below: The state of the cork. Old wines can lead to difficult times extracting the cork. This one was brittle and the outer third of the cork covered in mould.  The wine though was pristine