1996 Ch. Larose-Trintaudon

[hotwine]

With D's beef stroggie. Decanted for an hour before dinner, then showed black currant and saddle leather on the nose, joined by mushrooms and dark earth on the palate. 12.5% ABV and moderate finish, $17.99 when purchased in April of '01. This is a Haut-Medoc (cru Bourgeois) with 70% CS and 30% Merlot. Opened at least a couple of years too soon, but her stroggie deserves a Bordeaux, so this one was sacrificed. Worth it. Can probably be found for a couple of bucks less at a discounter, or for mid-$30's in a restaurant.