Chateau Mouton Rothschild 1996

19 JANCIS ROBINSON: "Very savoury nose. Dense and thick and sweet but not ethereal. Still very embryonic. Chewy tannins. Very correct and racy." 19 RENÈ GABRIEL´S BX TOTAL: "Samtenes, süsses, fein opulentes, elegantes Bouquet, Cassiscreme, heller Tabak, Zedern, fein Eukalyptus, Minze. dichter, frischer, eleganter Gaumen mit feinem Tannin, guter Frucht, vielfältiger, dichter Aromatik, sehr langer, voller Abgang. 19/20 trinken - 2035" 96 WINESPECTATOR: "Incredible nose of ultraripe fruit, it´s yet subtle and complex. Full-bodied, with very ripe, almost sweet fruit and a long, long caressing finish. Superb. This is edging out the 1995.--´95/´96 Bordeaux retrospective. Best after 2010." 96 THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Full bodied, long, powerful, tannic, fresh and vibrant, while approachable, and fun to drink, this is not yet mature. There is a touch of green in the finish, but in a good way, as it adds to the character of this tobacco, cedar, earth, cigar box, blackberry and spice filled personality. The wine was produced from a blend of 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc and 13% Merlot." 96 ANTONIO GALLONI: "(77% cabernet sauvignon, 13% merlot and 10% cabernet franc; pH 3.85; IPT 73; 12.7% alcohol; 83% new oak): Bright ruby with a palish rim. Intense, fragrant aromas of strawberry, iris, coffee, white pepper and bay leaf are lifted by an aromatic spice note; one can recognize the cabernet franc here. Rich, dense and suave, with very pure red fruit, cedar and herb flavors that coat the palate and are nicely carried by vibrant, harmonious acidity. Finishes with outstanding length, noble tannins and a late spicy, floral kick. This outstanding Mouton has improved enormously since its release. Tourbier agrees: "We were a little worried initially that this Mouton seemed too rigid, almost austere. Instead, it did a complete turnaround once bottled, surprising us as well." 95 JAMES SUCKLING: "Currants, minerals and flowers on the nose and palate. Full-bodied, with layered tannins and a fresh, clean finish. A beautiful precision to the wine. Drinking beautifully." 94 THE WINEADVOCATE: "It is four years since I last tasted the 1996 Château Mouton-Rothschild. Approaching 20 years old, the nose is now open for business but remaining classic in style, a mixture of red and black fruit, hickory, cedar and just a hint of lavender. It is very complex and beautifully defined. The palate is medium-bodied with a slightly herbaceous, undergrowth-tinged opening, the tannins just a little abrasive at the moment, exerting a firmness in the mouth. I feel it is almost as if the palate has not kept pace with the aromatics, requiring more substance to fill out the foursquare finish. If you like a slightly more austere Pauillac then you will adore this, though I don´t think it quite reaches the potential that it showed a few years ago. Tasted August 2016."