Our view on the 1996 vintage
Contrary to the 1995 vintage (year of the Merlot), the climatic conditions were favourable for the Cabernet Sauvignon grape variety for the 1996 Bordeaux wines. The 1996 Crus Classes du Medoc were therefore favoured, producing powerful and long lasting 1996 Bordeaux red wines, even better for 1996 Saint Estephe, 1996 Pauillac and 1996 Saint Julien. 1996 Saint Emilion and 1996 Pomerol offer good wines, but a tone below those of the Medoc. In 1996 white Bordeaux, only Haut Brion stands out, and in Sauternes white wines, the 1996 vintage is globally good without being great, still with some great successes. As for 1996 Burgundy, the vintage is renowned: the summer and early harvest conditions are good and give structured wines with a sustained colour (and of good aging potential, both in red and white). The 1996 Burgundy wines are generally endowed with significant acidity, which can dominate the fruit. The Champagne offers an exceptional 1996 vintage, that wine lovers will be looking for, as it as a beautiful ripeness still with a very good acidity giving it a great aging potential. The 1996 Rhone wines suffered from bad weather conditions, and the best bottles come from the Northern Rhone Valley (1996 Cornas, 1996 Cote Rotie, 1996 Hermitage). The sweet white wines from the Loire valley are very rich, and particularly appreciable in Savennieres. The 1996 vintage is average in Alsace (best for late harvest wines) and in Languedoc Roussillon : 1996 Grange des Peres begin to be recognized…
Which 1996 wine to buy? Our 1996 best buying advices
If you wish to invest in a bottle of wine from the 1996 vintage, we advise you to choose one of the following wines. In the Medoc growths, turn to 1996 Calon Segur, 1996 Cos Estournel, 1996 Chateau Margaux, 1996 Lafite Rothschild, 1996 Latour, 1996 Mouton Rothschild, 1996 Pichon Comtesse, 1996 Pontet Canet, 1996 Ducru Beaucaillou and 1996 Leoville Las Cases. 1996 Haut Brion and 1996 Mission Haut Brion in Pessac Leognan. Wine lovers from the Right Bank, 1996 Pomerol and 1996 Saint Emilion will find their pleasure in the 1996 Chateau Angelus, 1996 Ausone, 1996 Magdelaine, 1996 Monbousquet and 1996 Tertre Roteboeuf. In Sauternes some wines dominate the others: 1996 De Fargues, 1996 Rieussec and 1996 Yquem. In Burgundy, the wines of Dominique Laurent (among others) are excellent (1996 Gevrey Chambertin 1ers crus, 1996 Chambolle Musigny 1ercrus, and his Grands Crus). The 1996 Champagne are great successes (ex: 1996 Bollinger Grande Annee). In Rhone, favor the trio 1996 Cornas, 1996 Cote Rotie, 1996 Hermitage. Finally, why not a 1996 Savennieres in sweet wine from Loire?
Would you like to buy a 1996 vintage wine? Are you looking for a 1996 vintage wine as an anniversary gift? Discover our selection of wines, anniversary vintages, and grand crus from 1996 vintage ! At Vins & Millesimes, our wines bottles and 1996 magnums are always 100% in stock, fastly delivered, and at the best price!