1996 Chateau Margaux, 1st Growth Margaux (1 x Double Magnum)

France Bordeaux Margaux

Tasted at Berry Bros 1996 '25 years on' supper in November, and also at the estate in June, this is unquestionably one of the finest 1996s that you can open right now. Softly spoken, finely-spun tannins that are still in control, setting off the white truffle, cured leather and smoked earth notes. This inches forward through the palate, slowly unwinding its raspberry and wild strawberry fruits, along with penoy and dried rose aroamtics. A stunning wine that is still giving so much pleasure. The team at the estate always say this is particularly special to them also - it was a late harves after a burst of rain at the end of September when many of their neighbours began to pick. They decided to wait, and were rewarded with beautifully ripe Cabernet that was tannic and a little surly at first, but that now proves the wisdom of holding your nerve. 100% new oak.

1996 Chateau Margaux, 1st Growth Margaux (1 x Double Magnum)

Tasted at Berry Bros 1996 '25 years on' supper in November, and also at the estate in June, this is unquestionably one of the finest 1996s that you can open right now. Softly spoken, finely-spun tannins that are still in control, setting off the white truffle, cured leather and smoked earth notes. This inches forward through the palate, slowly unwinding its raspberry and wild strawberry fruits, along with penoy and dried rose aroamtics. A stunning wine that is still giving so much pleasure. The team at the estate always say this is particularly special to them also - it was a late harves after a burst of rain at the end of September when many of their neighbours began to pick. They decided to wait, and were rewarded with beautifully ripe Cabernet that was tannic and a little surly at first, but that now proves the wisdom of holding your nerve. 100% new oak.

France Bordeaux Margaux
Producer Chateau Margaux
Sub-Region Margaux
Region Bordeaux
Country France
Vintage 1996
Colour Red
ABV 13.00%

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Inside Bordeaux

One of the wines of 20th century Bordeaux, now at a beautiful moment to drink. I have been lucky enough to taste this a few times recnently, and it delivers every time. Floral edges, gunsmoke, peony, gentle intensity that builds before you even feel it happening, leading to a subtle intensity. This floats above the glass, sweet fruit and silky tannns. 100% new oak. Paul Pontallier director, delivering a stunning wine.

100 Points / Drinking 2022 - 2040

By Jane Anson / June 2022

Robert Parker Wine Advocate

The 1996 Chateau Margaux, a blend of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc, must be a strong contender for wine of the vintage. It offers everything you desire from this First Growth. It is blessed with breathtaking delineation and freshness on the nose, understated at first and then blossoming with mineral-infused black fruit, hints of blueberry, crushed stone and violet. The palate is perfectly balanced with filigree tannin, perfect acidity, a wine where everything seems to be in its right place. Blackberry, crushed stone at the front of the mouth, just a touch of spice towards the finish that shows supreme control. This is a Margaux that seems to light up the senses. It was outstanding in its youth…something that has not changed one bit over the intervening two decades. This may well turn out to be the Left Bank pinnacle of the 1990s. Tasted July 2016.

100 Points / Drinking 2016 - 2050

By Neal Martin / October 2016

Vinous

The 1996 Château Margaux stands as one of the pinnacles during Paul Pontallier’s illustrious tenure. I remember it dazzling out of barrel, perhaps my first memory of tasting wine at that prenatal stage. It has retained the fabulous tension and freshness on the nose, every atom infused with mineralité, subtle pressed flower/violet scents unfurling with aeration. The palate has unerring symmetry, perfectly balanced with filigree tannin and lovely acidity. It’s a wine where everything seems to be in its right place. Blackberry, crushed stone at the front of the mouth and a touch of spice toward the finish show supreme control. This is a Margaux that seems to light up the senses. It was outstanding in its youth…something that has not changed one bit over the intervening two decades. This may well turn out to be the Left Bank pinnacle of the 1990s. Tasted July 2016.

98 Points / Drinking 2023 - 2030

By Neal Martin / September 2023

Vinous

Deep, saturated ruby. Vibrant, sweet aromas of cassis and boysenberry complicated by floral and tarry nuances. Velvety, dense and highly concentrated, with extraordinary inner-mouth perfume. Between the substantial but thoroughly buffered tannins and powerful back-end fruit, this wine really stains the palate.

94-96 Points

By Stephen Tanzer / May 1998

Vinous

Ruby-purple color. Knockout nose combines boysenberry, cassis, bitter chocolate, mocha and smoky oak. Like liquid velvet in the mouth: dense, rich and pure. Pure dark berry and mocha flavors show uncanny inner-mouth perfume. Extremely long and fine on the finish. The refined, thoroughly buffered tannins spread over the entire mouth. Essence of ripe Margaux cabernet: there’s just 9% merlot in this wine.

96 Points

By Stephen Tanzer / May 1999

Vinous

Bright full ruby. Pure, perfumed aromas of cassis and violet. Dense and tactile in the mouth; a huge, chewy wine with major extract but also considerable refinement. Almost painfully backward today, and a bit less perfumed than it was in the year or so after the bottling, but the huge tannins show no hardness. Another great expression of cabernet sauvignon from the ’96 vintage. Drink 2015 through 2040.

96+ Points

By Stephen Tanzer / July 2002