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The 1996 displays an opaque purple color, as well as sweet, wonderfully pure, jammy blackberry, mineral, and intriguing floral aromas. Enormously rich and full-bodied, with massive intensity, this is a modern day tour de force in winemaking. In spite of being aged in a hefty percentage of new oak, the wine does not reveal any evidence of new oak casks because the fruit character is so pronounced. Statistically, this wine possesses huge amounts of tannin, but it comes across as a seamless giant with extraordinary richness and intensity. This may be even greater than the exceptional 1982, but it may take longer to become accessible than the later wine.
Score: 95/97 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (115), February 1998
The 1996, however, is the finest example from this château since the 1982, even surpassing, in my mind, the magnificent 1990. It has an awesome, first growth quality nose that reveals noble scents of cassis, mineral, oil, salt, and smoky oak. Intensely rich, it dominates the palate with its deep blackcurrant, spice, lead, and blackberry flavors. I was surprised at how seemingly forward it was, yet could not help but notice how much dense fruit it kept in reserve. A wine of extraordinary purity, concentration, and depth, it displays enormous amounts of tannin in its extensive finish. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2035.
Score: 96+ Pierre-Antoine Rovani, Hedonists Gazette, April 2003
First bottle: Not the deepest ruby. Interesting mineral nose - relatively transparent to taste as well as look at. Not big. But lively and rewarding. Just very slightly chunky. Tannins a little crude. Very mineral. Got drier and drier in the glass. Second bottle: Richer fruit. Drink 2008-18
Score: 17 Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, September 2006
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