99 points,

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, April 1999

The 1996 Chateau Margaux, which was bottled in September, 1998, is undoubtedly one of the great classics produced under the Mentzelopoulos regime. In many respects, it is the quintessential Chateau Margaux, as well as the paradigm for this estate, combining measured power, extraordinary elegance, and admirable complexity. I tasted the wine on three separate occasions in January, and in short, it's a beauty! The color is opaque purple. The wine offers extraordinarily pure notes of blackberries, cassis, pain grille, and flowers, gorgeous sweetness, a seamless personality, and full body, with nothing out of place. The final blend (85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc) contains a high percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon. It tastes complete and long, although backward. The fruit is exceptionally sweet and pure, and there are layers of flavor in the mouth. I do believe this wine will develop an extraordinary perfume, and possess a high level of richness.

96 points,

Stephen Tanzer's IWC, August 2002

Bright full ruby. Pure, perfumed aromas of cassis and violet. Dense and tactile in the mouth; a huge, chewy wine with major extract but also considerable refinement. Almost painfully backward today, and a bit less perfumed than it was in the year or so after the bottling, but the huge tannins show no hardness. Another great expression of cabernet sauvignon from the '96 vintage. Drink 2015 through 2040. 96(+?) points

97 points,

Wine Spectator, January 2007

Cool and racy on the nose, with mineral, currant, black licorice and plum. Full-bodied, with a silky, seductive, exciting palate of ultrafine tannins and a long, long caressing finish. Structured and refined. Fabulous. Gets better and better.--'95/'96 Bordeaux retrospective. Best after 2012. 18,000 cases made. -JS

About Winery

Chateau Margaux's estate dates back to at least  the 12th century. Multiple changes of ownership, including a state seizure during the French revolution, finally left the estate in the hands of the Mentzelopoulus family. Subsequent reinvestment in the vineyards and in the cellar during the late 1970's have been well-rewarded, beginning with the successful 1978 vintage. Today,Corinne Mentzelopoulus oversees the estate's production of its flagship wine as well as its Pavillon Rouge and Pavillon Blanc offerings.

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