1996 Wine

Wine Spectator, 92 points: Hints of oyster shell and truffle mark the age of this satiny Champagne, but there's still enough well-knit acidity to keep this fresh, focusing the subtle notes of toasted almond, dried golden currant, fleur de sel and...

Wine Spectator, 96 points: This leans toward the tropical side, with mango and guava notes out front, while maple, date, blood orange and citrus oil flavors fill in behind. The finish kicks into another gear, taking off with honeysuckle, orange...

Decanter, 96 points: 1996 should be considered a classic vintage, as it is in Bordeaux. This wine is not rich and is in fact quite austere, yet delicious to drink now with rich dishes such as braised beef cheek. It's full of elegance, with a...

TheWineCellarInsider.com, 93 points: At close to 20 years of age, I could not believe how young this still seems. With 3 hours of air, the cassis and cigar box characteristics were showing their stuff. There are still some tannins to be resolved. With 4...

Wine Spectator, 90 points: Supergrapey, with wet earth and stones on the nose. Full-bodied, medium-sweet, with lots of tannins. Long and racy on the finish. A serious young Port. Best Panascal ever. Best after 2005.–JS

TheWineCellarInsider.com, 90 points: Looking and tasting much older than its true age, the wine has taken on more of a copper coloring. Losing some of its sweetness, you find more creme brulee, orange and caramel, than sweet, tropical, honeyed fruits. This...

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 96 points: (WA 94-96 points) The saturated ruby/purple-colored 1996 Barolo Falletto exhibits an extraordinary nose of smoke, earth, white truffles, black fruits, licorice, and floral scents. Extremely massive, with layers of...