🏰 The 1996 Burgundy vintage was characterized by a dry spring and low temperatures, followed by a dry summer and a late, cold, dry harvest. While the wines showed charming fruit during élevage, they also possessed a notable acidity, making them slow to evolve. Domaine Michel Gaunoux is renowned for its traditional, old-school approach, producing high-quality wines that transcend modern, fruit-forward styles. The 1996 Corton Renardes Grand Cru, after nearly three decades, can still be a gorgeous wine, displaying a bright, transparent cherry red color, with light, aromatic notes of cherries, strawberry, moist earth, and minerals. It offers very fine, precise tannins, gorgeous acidity, and balance, finishing long with cherry-infused minerals. Some bottles may require significant aeration to reveal their full potential, opening up with tertiary aromas of tobacco and kirsch fruits. 【 A superb example of age-worthy, traditional Burgundy with remarkable elegance and balance 】. 🍴 This mature Corton Renardes, with its earthy and red fruit notes, is an exquisite pairing for classic French dishes like coq au vin, roasted game birds such as pheasant or partridge, or a rich beef bourguignon. For an Eastern pairing, consider it with a delicate Cantonese steamed fish with ginger and scallions, or a subtly spiced Korean galbi. 🥂 Ideal for a special anniversary or a gathering of Burgundy connoisseurs. When opening a wine of this age, be prepared for a potentially fragile cork; a two-pronged cork puller (Ah-So) or a Durand is highly recommended. Decanting for 1-2 hours can help the wine shed any sediment and allow its complex tertiary aromas to unfold, but monitor it closely to avoid over-exposure to air. Serve at cellar temperature, around 16-18°C (60-64°F).