1996 Wine

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...

Wine Spectator, 90 points: Wonderful and flamboyant. Very ripe apple, banana and vanilla aromas with a hint of meringue. Full-bodied and round, with lots of coconut and fruit character on the finish. Drink now. 3,600 cases made. –JS

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 93 points: (90-93 points) The 1996 Barolo Margheria combines the best of the traditional style of Barolo with the more progressive modern wine making style. The color is a saturated plum. Over-ripe aromas of black fruits are...

Stephen Tanzer's IWC, 90 points: Deep ruby-red. Floral, spicy aromas of black cherry, licorice and shoe polish. Thick and dense, with lovely sweetness and inner-mouth flavor. Boasts more volume than either the '98 or '97. Finishes thoroughly ripe, with...

Stephen Tanzer's IWC, 90 points: More saturated ruby-red. Deep, enticing aromas of black raspberry, dark chocolate and spicy oak; shows an almost roasted ripeness. Big, sweet and rich; a rather powerful style of La Lagune, with urgent intensity of...

Stephen Tanzer's IWC, 91 points: 91+ Very dark ruby red. Lively violet and dark berry aromas. Penetrating but supple; very bright flavor of dark berries complicated by spicy oak. Finishes very long, with dusty wood tannins. Very limited availability.