Tasting: Bordeaux 1996 Horizontal

Tasting Report: The Bordeaux 1996 Vintage

"Bordeaux 1996 Horizontal": Discover the report on the eight Bordeaux 1996 wines discussed during the tasting led by our expert Didier Frayssou. The Bordeaux 1996 vintage was a great success for Médoc wines particularly thanks to the perfect maturity of Cabernet Sauvignon. The Right Bank was of more irregular quality caused by heavy rains during August that weakened Merlot, an earlier ripening grape variety. Very good year for dry white wines which benefit from an early harvest. Finally, the beautiful late season allowed the production of interesting sweet wines with very good richness/acidity balance.

Malartic Lagravière 1996 – Pessac Léognan – White (80% Sauvignon, 20% Sémillon) ***

A golden color with orange reflections testifies to its evolution. On the nose, it reveals notes of honey, wax and more discreetly walnut and continues with a bouquet of candied citrus finishing on a discreet touch of mirabelle plum. On the palate, it is carried by beautiful acidity revealing a subtle bouquet of citrus with a creamy slightly buttery finish.

Pédésclaux 1996 - Pauillac – Red (50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc) ***

Of medium intensity, the color is ruby with brown reflections. The nose is very expressive, first revealing smoky notes, leather from its evolution as well as black fruits like blackcurrant and licorice. On the palate, the wine is a bit lean but pleasant and balanced, with melted tannins and aromatic elegance.

Lafon Rochet 1996 Saint-Estèphe (67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot) ***(*)

An intense color, ruby with violet reflections, is not very evolved for a 1996. On the nose, the wine delivers roasted notes of coffee and cocoa, animal notes and more discreetly black fruits. On the palate, the wine is concentrated, possessing beautiful material, the tannins are present as well as a persistent length on the palate. Austere and tannic, it quite well represents the red wines of the Saint-Estèphe appellation.

Lagrange 1996 Saint-Julien (67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot)****

Medium intensity, its color reveals an evolved wine with amber notes. The nose is very elegant, it expresses beautiful red fruit, crushed strawberry then floral notes enveloped in beautiful freshness that announces a noble and delicate wine. On the palate, it reveals pleasant sensuality carried by beautiful fruit particularly blackcurrant, beautiful freshness, the mark of the vintage, and silky tannins.

Citran 1996 Haut-Médoc (50% Merlot, 50% Cabernet Sauvignon) ***(*)

A ruby-colored robe with still slightly violet reflections. The nose presents animal notes, leather as well as black fruit particularly prune and licorice creating a harmonious whole. On the palate, despite its slight lack of complexity, we discover a full and round wine. It possesses beautiful acidity as well as a persistent length on the palate over time, one of the pleasant surprises of the evening!

Nénin 1996 Pomerol (78% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Franc, 1% Cabernet Sauvignon) *

An evolved color with orange or even coppery hints. On the nose, metallic and coppery notes testify to oxidation probably due to premature aging. Despite the unpleasant nose, the palate is full and the tannins are still present, notes of prune and licorice appear but the oxidized notes prevent full appreciation.

Figeac 1996 Saint-Emilion (35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Cabernet Franc, 30% Merlot) ****(*)

Its color testifies to good evolution moving towards mahogany tones. The nose of Figeac 1996 reveals admirable elegance and complexity, even though it requires aeration to fully express itself. On the palate, it is delicate, the tannins are melted, it surprises with intense red fruit notes, beautiful freshness as well as a length on the palate superior to the previous wines in a delicate and discreet register.

Pape Clément 1996 Pessac Léognan (50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 47% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot) *****

Still brilliant, the color is deep, little evolved, purple with violet hints. On the nose, Pape Clément asserts itself with grandiose aromatic complexity. It reveals notes of black fruits, cocoa and roasted coffee as well as a larded side of smoked meat, and the mouthfeel is superb, with a creamy and silky finish.

Conclusion

In conclusion of this tasting, we will remember the great quality of the 1996 vintage on the wines of the Left Bank of Bordeaux whose fullness and aromatic richness surprised us. Despite a vintage more favorable to Médoc wines, the famous Figeac marked people's minds with its aromatic complexity and melted tannins thanks to its atypical soil and grape variety blend revealing the remarkable elegance of a Saint-Emilion. Pape Clément also dominated the tasting in a more gourmand and sensual register. Overall, most wines are beginning to drink well, which was not the case during the previous tasting in 2012, still with that refreshing acidity, typical of the vintage. Enjoy our selection of Bordeaux 1996 on our online sales site Vins et Millésimes!