96 points Jane Anson (Decanter): "Jean-Rene Matignon had been the winemaker for 10 years at this point and has made a brilliant wine that took its time to come around but is tasting delicious right now, exceptionally enjoyable and enticing. Supple tannins, plenty of grilled cedar and tobacco leaf, plump-textured cassis and blackberry brambled fruits, still fairly backward and young, just very much a classic Pauillac that has poise and lift. A dark horse, not seen as impressive as Comtesse in its youth, but now flexing its muscles. Drinking Window: 2023-2036. (1/4/21)"
94 points Neal Martin (Vinous): "The 1996 Pichon-Baron now has a superior bouquet to the 1995. There is much better definition here, and the scents of blackberry, graphite, smoke and a touch of gravel are all very harmonious and focused - quintessential Pauillac. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin and very fresh in the mouth. Hints of blood orange suffuse vivid black fruit tinged with a core of mineralité toward the finish. This is a seriously fine Pichon-Baron that seems to be pulling away from the 1995. Easily the peak of the nineties. Superb. Tasted at the Pichon-Baron vertical at the château. Drink: 2018-2040. (Jan 2019)"
94 points Jane Anson (Inside Bordeaux): "(80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot). Clearly more depth in colour than the preceding three years, and this is classic Pauillac, as with the 1995, but a little more structured. Cedar and cassis notes, still sombre and stubborn tannins, opens to show woodsmoke, cold ash, and touches of eucalyptus. 59IPT, 80% new oak. Alcohol 13%. Drink: 2022-2038. (5/24/22)"
93 points Jeff Leve (The Wine Cellar Insider): "Decanted about 30 minutes, the wine is full-bodied, concentrated, tannic, masculine and classic. Loaded with tobacco leaf, smoke, wet earth and bright red fruits, the wine shows some bite in the fruit that works perfecty with the freshness. I am sure this will improve, but it is already quite tasty today. (Jun 2019)"
94 points Neal Martin (Vinous): "The 1996 Pichon-Baron now has a superior bouquet to the 1995. There is much better definition here, and the scents of blackberry, graphite, smoke and a touch of gravel are all very harmonious and focused - quintessential Pauillac. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin and very fresh in the mouth. Hints of blood orange suffuse vivid black fruit tinged with a core of mineralité toward the finish. This is a seriously fine Pichon-Baron that seems to be pulling away from the 1995. Easily the peak of the nineties. Superb. Tasted at the Pichon-Baron vertical at the château. Drink: 2018-2040. (Jan 2019)"
94 points Jane Anson (Inside Bordeaux): "(80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot). Clearly more depth in colour than the preceding three years, and this is classic Pauillac, as with the 1995, but a little more structured. Cedar and cassis notes, still sombre and stubborn tannins, opens to show woodsmoke, cold ash, and touches of eucalyptus. 59IPT, 80% new oak. Alcohol 13%. Drink: 2022-2038. (5/24/22)"
93 points Jeff Leve (The Wine Cellar Insider): "Decanted about 30 minutes, the wine is full-bodied, concentrated, tannic, masculine and classic. Loaded with tobacco leaf, smoke, wet earth and bright red fruits, the wine shows some bite in the fruit that works perfecty with the freshness. I am sure this will improve, but it is already quite tasty today. (Jun 2019)"
| Product SKU | 356328 |
| Producer | Pichon-Longueville-Baron |
| Country | France |
| Region | Bordeaux |
| SubRegion | Left Bank |
| Appellation | Pauillac |
| Varietal | Cabernet/Bordeaux Blends |
| Vintage | 1996 |
| Size | 750ml |
| Color | Red |
| Ships To |
