1996 Red Wine

Stephen Tanzer's IWC, 93 points: Saturated ruby-red. Pure, highly perfumed aromas of black cherry, currant, plum, minerals, tobacco, leather and fresh herbs. Very ripe, suave and spicy; at once subtle and gripping. Lovely cabernet character dominating...

Stephen Tanzer's IWC, 94 points: Bright medium ruby. Deep, superripe aromas of dark berries, black cherry and bitter chocolate; slightly exotic crystallized fruit aspect. Dense, sweet and wonderfully rich; a lovely combination of palate-caressing...

Neal Martin's Wine Journal, 96 points: Tasted at Bordeaux Index lunch. The Haut Brion 1996 continues to shine as one of the estate's standout releases of the decade. There is something perhaps a little rustic on the nose at first, more "animally" than I have...

Antonio Galloni's Vinous, 91 points: Full ruby-red. Very reticent aromas of plum, black cherry, leather, dark chocolate and flowers; faint suggestion of surmaturite. Fat with sweet fruit; lush and voluminous for the vintage. Finishes with big but very even...

Wine Spectator, 96 points: Fabulous aromas of crushed raspberries plums and blackberries. Mind-blowing nose. Full-bodied with soft and silky tannins and a long caressing finish. Hard not to drink now but leave it alone.--'95/'96 Bordeaux...

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 100 points: 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...

Stephen Tanzer's IWC, 94 points: (ST91-94 points) Healthy red-ruby. Red fruit, espresso, iron, tobacco, brown spices and exotic oak scents on the nose. Round and silky in the mouth, but supported by solid structure. Already shows lovely perfume in the...

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 90 points: The 1996 Cabernet Sauvignon (2% Cabernet Franc is blended in) has filled out nicely since I first tasted it. Aromas of cedar chocolate spice box and black currants are moderately intense. Medium to full-bodied with good...