Chateau Pichon Longueville Baron 1996

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "The 1996 Pichon-Longueville Baron has a deep garnet core with some bricking on the rim. The nose is fragrant and generous with more red fruit than black, cedar and tobacco, fine definition, perhaps a little rustic in keeping with the winemaking at the time, but certainly giving lots of pleasure. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin -- a cohesive Pauillac with plenty of depth and fine balance. The acidity lends this plenty of freshness and it does not shortchange you with plenty of tarry, cedary fruit. You come away with the impression that this Pichon Baron is going to continue to improve although I would not burn anyone at the stake for opening it now. If you cannot afford the First Growth then this (and Pichon Lalande) would be where I would come."

WEINWISSER: "Aufhellendes, leicht trübes Granat, erste Reifetöne. Schlankes, fein röstiges Bouquet, Irish Moos, Earl-Grey-Noten, fernöstliche Gewürze, wunderschöner, fast parfümierter Terroirduft. Im Gaumen fein, Erd-Eisentöne, fein stützend, kein Kraftprotz, aber aufgrund der Länge und Finessen zu den Klassikern gehörend, jetzt in der ersten Reife."

DECANTER: "Smooth, effortless, still youthful and juicy, this is a little more pulled together and precise than the 1995. It keeps on building on the palate, with crushed tobacco leaf meeting soft black fruits. 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, the rest evenly divided between Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot:"

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Decanted about 30 minutes, the wine is full-bodied, concentrated, tannic, masculine and classic. Loaded with tobacco leaf, smoke, wet earth and bright red fruits, the wine shows some bite in the fruit that works perfecty with the freshness. I am sure this will improve, but it is already quite tasty today."

WINE SPECTATOR: "Gorgeous aromas of crushed blackberries, currant and citrus fruit. Full-bodied, with silky tannins and a fruity, herbal aftertaste. A little hollow on the midpalate. Ready to go.--'95/'96 Bordeaux retrospective. Drink now. 25,000 cases made."