The 1996 Montrose is composed of 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, and 3% Cabernet Franc. This was not a particularly cool vintage, but it was late. There was rain at the beginning of September, so the Chateaux that decided to wait and harvest late made very good wines. The harvest dates at Montrose were 23 September to 6 October. Medium to deep garnet-brick in color, it erupts from the glass with a powerful perfume of redcurrant jelly, blackcurrant pastilles, and kirsch, followed by hints of cast-iron pan, dried sage, and pencil lead. The medium-bodied palate is taut with muscular fruit and a firm backbone of ripe, grainy tannins and bold freshness, finishing with epic length and lots of mineral sparks. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown

As with the 1982, the colour is starting to soften and brick around the edges, but the main body of the wine remains a deep plum. A reminder once again of how brilliant the 1996 classified Médocs are right now. It is gentle, with caressing tobacco and campfire notes and the signature cassis and blackberry of Montrose. The finesse and the juicy, mouthwatering finish is so impressive, growing in intensity as it comes in waves through the palate. This is peak Montrose, in a year that was generous in its yields, if not quite as much as the 1982, but well over 45hl/h. Not huge amounts left at the estate now, as these were the years when almost everything sold En Primeur, up to 95% of production. Harvest September 23 to October 6.

Tasted at the vertical in London, I have instead used the tasting note from a bottle opened at the property when I visited just a couple of weeks later. The 1996 Montrose is a blend of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot picked between 23 September and 6 October. It was served alongside the 1986 Montrose, however, this is a far better wine and reconfirms Robert Parker's remarks at his own vertical at the property in 2014. For me, it is that loamy character that defines the nose—freshly tilled, damp soil that tinctures the black fruit —that takes you straight to this particular château. This is classic through and through and very well defined. The palate is wonderful with very fine delineation, pitch-perfect acidity, touches of graphite infusing the red and black fruit that dovetails into a very pretty, floral finish. This is clearly one of the great wines of the 1996 vintage and I would be stocking up as much as I could, because it will give 30-40 years of pleasure. Tasted July 2016. - Neal Martin

Old school, classic in style, the wine is crisp, energetic and stubbornly tannic. The fruit is short, bright, and leaning to the strict, austere, cranberry and light red fruit side of the style range. The wine is a bit more interesting on the developed, cedar and tobacco edged nose, than on the palate. If this is your taste, you will probably like it more than I did. Read more at:https://www.thewinecellarinsider.com/wine-tasting-note/?vintage=1996&wine=Chateau%20Montrose

Beautiful aromas of crushed berries and vanilla with hints of licorice. Full-bodied with sweet fruit and silky tannins. Long and caressing. Beautiful now; may improve a bit with age but why wait? I thought it was one of the wines of the vintage years ago. Not so.--'95/'96 Bordeaux retrospective.