393. Château Patache d’Aux, Médoc Cru Bourgeois, 1996

£16.17; 12.5%

Have to write this from memory as I didn’t note anything down at the time! Andy & Sarah came down to stay, so I created this with a beef & red wine stew. Memory says a pretty good, mature Médoc, leaning to cedar and blackcurrant, with the savoury character that worked quite well with the food. I think the Arlewood Cabernet edged this one though – from the Optimor 2^nd case.