Château Margaux Margaux 1996

100 points Jane Anson (Inside Bordeaux): "(82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc). 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. Drink: 2022-2040. Alcohol 13.2%. (6/7/22)"

100 points Decanter: "Softly spoken, fine tannins, pencil lead and leather, with truffle, earth, campfire and spice. Long drawn out finish, achingly slow, crushed stone, tobacco and dried roses. As with the 2001, the generosity and beauty of the aromatics tells you that this is absolutely ready to drink - although in many ways it feels like it will last longer than the 2001, as the tannins are still holding everything in place. This got the audience award on the night, and no question it is a stunning wine that is still giving so much pleasure at 25 years old. The 1996 has really grown into itself - it was a late harvest at the time after a burst of rain at the end of September that they decided to wait through before picking, and were rewarded with beautifully ripe Cabernet that was high in dense tannins and a little surly at first, but that has turned into one of the greatest vintages of the 1990s (rivaled only by the 1990 itself in my opinion). 2% Cabernet Franc completes the blend, 100% new oak. Alcohol 13%. (6/24/21)"

99 points Robert Parker: "The 1996 Chateau Margaux, which was bottled in September, 1998, is undoubtedly one of the great classics produced under the Mentzelopoulos regime. In many respects, it is the quintessential Chateau Margaux, as well as the paradigm for this estate, combining measured power, extraordinary elegance, and admirable complexity. I tasted the wine on three separate occasions in January, and in short, it's a beauty! The color is opaque purple. The wine offers extraordinarily pure notes of blackberries, cassis, pain grille, and flowers, gorgeous sweetness, a seamless personality, and full body, with nothing out of place. The final blend (85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc) contains a high percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon. It tastes complete and long, although backward. My instincts suggest this wine will shut down, but at present it is open-knit, tasting like a recently bottled wine. The fruit is exceptionally sweet and pure, and there are layers of flavor in the mouth. I do believe this wine will develop an extraordinary perfume, and possess a high level of richness. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2040. (Apr 1999)"

98 points Neal Martin (Wine Advocate): "That crystalline nose, the purity, the mineralite – it is all there. The palate is razor-sharp, brilliant focused with those silky tannins that caress the mouth, lascivious blackberry, black plum and blueberry towards the finish. Stunning. Drink 2010-2035+ Tasted October 2008."

97 points Wine Spectator: "Cool and racy on the nose, with mineral, currant, black licorice and plum. Full-bodied, with a silky, seductive, exciting palate of ultrafine tannins and a long, long caressing finish. Structured and refined. Fabulous. Gets better and better.--'95/'96 Bordeaux retrospective. Best after 2012. (2007)"

97 points Jeb Dunnuck: "While the 1996 Château Margaux has been closed and difficult to read for the past decade, it showed beautifully on this occasion, with its hallmark elegance and purity paired with a dense, powerful profile. Still youthfully ruby-hued with notes of pure crème de cassis, unsmoked tobacco, incense, and chocolate, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, building yet seamless tannins, and an awesome finish. This is pure class as well as a quintessential Margaux! To be on the safe side, give bottles another 4-5 years and it’s going to keep for 50-75 years. (Drink between 2024-2099. (2/13/20)"

97 points (18.5/20) La Revue du Vin de France: "Complex nose (cedar, crayon box, and spice) - superbe weave with admirable sweetness. Finishes with a burst of fresh mint. (Jan 2012)"

96 points Stephen Tanzer (International Wine Cellar): "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. (May/Jun 1999)"

5 stars, 19/20 points, Decanter: "Muted oaky nose of smoke and blackcurrants. Medium-bodied, graceful and intense, still tight but with sleek tannins, not fully formed but has great purity and freshness. Very stylish, almost racy, very Margaux. Excellent length. Drink 2011-2040. (Mar 2011)"