Chateau Palmer 1996

FALSTAFF: "Kräftiges Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, breitere Randaufhellung. Reifes, rotbeeriges Konfit, frische Kirschen, ein Hauch von Goudron, etwas Lakritze, Tabak, schwarze Kirschen, kandierte Orangenzesten. Saftig, Noten von Lakritze, vital am Gaumen, hochelegant und balanciert, hat eine erste Trinkreife erreicht, gute Länge, wirkt dabei keine Spur zu konzentriert, seidig, sehr appellationstypisch, jetzt wunderbar zu trinken."

WEINWISSER: "Nicht besonders tiefe Farbe, aber immer noch sehr jugendlich, Purpurnoten. Offenes, tiefgründiges Bouquet, viel Trüffelnoten, Moschus, Soya, viel reifes, tiefgründiges Terroir, eher noch verschlossen. Im Gaumen Edelhölzer, Pralinen, Malzspuren, dunkle Röstnoten, viel Charme, ein Genuss, jetzt schon einen grossen Schluck zu nehmen."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "Tasted at the Château Palmer vertical in London, the 1996 Château Palmer is a wine that never quite fulfilled its potential. There is satisfactory fruit intensity on the nose, blackberry and truffle, a touch of vanilla and violet developing with time in the glass. The palate still feels a little backward, but there is good grip and freshness. This is a harmonious 1996 Margaux and yet it feels conservative and straight-laced on the tobacco-infused finish. It is quite a "serious" Palmer, yet it does not quite back it up in terms of complexity or, for want of a better word, "soul." Good...but you end up wanting more, especially having tasted the likes of 2000, 2005 and 2010 alongside. Tasted May 2015."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "With its earthy, spicy, tobacco, cherry and truffle nose, this is close to mature. Medium bodied, with a slight, tannic edge, the wine finishes with a melange of spicy red fruits and fresh herbs. The wine was made from a bend of blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. The harvest took place from September 23 to October 6."

WINE SPECTATOR: "Gorgeous aromas of currant and flowers follow through to a full-bodied palate, with silky tannins and a medium finish. A little more bottle age will open it even more. Very pretty.--'95/'96 Bordeaux retrospective. Best after 2008."