Tasted at the Doisy-Védrines vertical at the château, the 1996 Château Doisy-Védrines is very closed at first. Returning after 20 minutes, it becomes quite floral on the bouquet with ripe Satsumas, burnt honey and caramelized pear. There is satisfying rather than exemplary definition, not quite the focus of more recent vintages. It is very smooth and unctuous on the entry and perhaps lacks a little acidity. There is certainly a lot of botrytis, but it is missing precision on the apricot and orange liqueur-tinged finish. Tasted September 2008.