Chateau Margaux 1996

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "The 1996 Chateau Margaux, a blend of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc, must be a strong contender for wine of the vintage. It offers everything you desire from this First Growth. It is blessed with breathtaking delineation and freshness on the nose, understated at first and then blossoming with mineral-infused black fruit, hints of blueberry, crushed stone and violet. The palate is perfectly balanced with filigree tannin, perfect acidity, a wine where everything seems to be in its right place. Blackberry, crushed stone at the front of the mouth, just a touch of spice towards the finish that shows supreme control. This is a Margaux that seems to light up the senses. It was outstanding in its youth...something that has not changed one bit over the intervening two decades. This may well turn out to be the Left Bank pinnacle of the 1990s. Tasted July 2016." Drink: 2016 - 2050. - Neal Martin.

WEINWISSER: "Parfümiertes Bouquet mit femininer Anmutung: Cranberries, rote Johannisbeere, feinstes Holz, Palisander, Zigarrenkiste; legt im Glas enorm zu und entwickelt sich zu einem gebündelten Traum-Duft. Wie in der Nase legt er auch am Gaumen mit Luft deutlich zu. Zeigt sich elegant und mit vielen Nuancen, das ist ein ganz feiner, aristokratischer Margaux, der jetzt schon viel Noblesse und grossartige Finesse ausstrahlt. Hat mir schon vor einem Jahr fantastisch geschmeckt, und jetzt noch ein Tick besser."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Close to the sweet spot, this sexy, sensual, silky velvet-textured beauty has it going on. Concentrated, full-bodied, intense, balanced, long, fresh and complex, it is hard to find a better wine. There is so much pleasure here, it's impossible not to finish your glass and fill up for more."

JEB DUNNUCK: "While the 1996 Château Margaux has been closed and difficult to read for the past decade, it showed beautifully on this occasion, with its hallmark elegance and purity paired with a dense, powerful profile. Still youthfully ruby-hued with notes of pure crème de cassis, unsmoked tobacco, incense, and chocolate, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, building yet seamless tannins, and an awesome finish. This is pure class as well as a quintessential Margaux! To be on the safe side, give bottles another 4-5 years and it’s going to keep for 50-75 years."

LISA PERROTTI-BROWN: "Medium garnet in color with a touch of brick, the 1996 Chateau Margaux prances out with the most gorgeous perfume of violets and rose bud tea, leading to a core of red currant jelly, raspberry preserves, tar, and fragrant soil, with a touch of cinnamon stick. The light to medium-bodied palate has an enticing silkiness to the texture with great tension framing the delicate red berry flavors, finishing long and perfumed. The blend is 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 4%Petit Verdot, and 2% Cabernet Franc."

WINE SPECTATOR: "Fully formed now, with a rush of steeped currant and black tea notes that are melded with a backdrop of anise, sandalwood, bergamot and charcoal. The long, suave finish lets the perfume linger, with a weighty feel. This seems to mark the start of the refinement of tannins; despite the power, this is all grace and elegance.--Non-blind Château Margaux vertical (December 2013). Drink now through 2031."