Chateau Margaux, 1996 Red Wine

Margaux 1er Grand Cru Classe
100 Points Neil Martin

Bottle size: 75cl

ABV: 13%

Price:

$924.00 USD

Out of stock

Description

The 1996 Chateau Margaux, a blend of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc, must be a strong contender for wine of the vintage. It offers everything you desire from this First Growth. It is blessed with breathtaking delineation and freshness on the nose, understated at first and then blossoming with mineral-infused black fruit, hints of blueberry, crushed stone and violet. The palate is perfectly balanced with filigree tannin, perfect acidity, a wine where everything seems to be in its right place. Blackberry, crushed stone at the front of the mouth, just a touch of spice towards the finish that shows supreme control. This is a Margaux that seems to light up the senses. It was outstanding in its youth...something that has not changed one bit over the intervening two decades. This may well turn out to be the Left Bank pinnacle of the 1990s. Drink 2016-2050. Tasted July 2016.

100
Neal Martin, Wine Advocate (227), October 2016

Condition

Excellent - good provenance

Reviews

The 1996 Château Margaux is undoubtedly one of the great classics produced under the Mentzelopoulos regime. In many respects, it is the quintessential Château Margaux, as well as the paradigm for this estate, combining measured power, extraordinary elegance, and admirable complexity. In short, it's a beauty! The colour is opaque purple. The wine offers extraordinarily pure notes of blackberries, cassis, toast 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 the highest percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon since 1986.This wine has shut down, yet the fruit remains exceptionally sweet and pure. Moreover, there are layers of flavour in the mouth and a surreal lightness/elegance in spite of the wine's obvious power and density. Is it capable of surpassing the quality of the 2000, 1995,1990,1986,1983,and 1982?Time will tell. Personally, I prefer the opulence and viscosity of the 1990 from a purely hedonistic standpoint, but I do believe this wine will develop an extraordinary perfume and possess the same level of richness as most concentrated vintages Margaux has produced. It is one of the strongest candidates for the wine of the vintage. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2045.

99
Robert Parker, Bordeaux Book (4), December 2003

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