1996 Wine

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 96 points: The 1996 Maya is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Vivid intense aromas of new saddle leather plums black currants underbrush and licorice are followed by a full-bodied sensationally concentrated wine with...

Decanter, 93 points: In terms of weather in this vintage, bud-break came on 25 March after a cold start to the year, followed by a mixed May then a heatwave in June that saw good flowering. July was cool and wet for the first half, hot and...

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 92 points: Tasted at the château, the 1996 Haut Bailly is a blend of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 12% Cabernet Franc. It has an attractive bouquet with blackcurrant pastilles, briary, a touch of gravel and dried orange...

Vinous, 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...

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