With its earthy, spicy, tobacco, cherry and truffle nose, this is close to mature. Medium bodied, with a slight, tannic edge, the wine finishes with a melange of spicy red fruits and fresh herbs. The wine was made from a bend of blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. The harvest took place from September 23 to October 6.

Tasted at the Château Palmer vertical in London, the 1996 Château Palmer is a wine that never quite fulfilled its potential. There is satisfactory fruit intensity on the nose, blackberry and truffle, a touch of vanilla and violet developing with time in the glass. The palate still feels a little backward, but there is good grip and freshness. This is a harmonious 1996 Margaux and yet it feels conservative and straight-laced on the tobacco-infused finish. It is quite a "serious" Palmer, yet it does not quite back it up in terms of complexity or, for want of a better word, "soul." Good...but you end up wanting more, especially having tasted the likes of 2000, 2005 and 2010 alongside. - Neal Martin

Gorgeous aromas of currant and flowers follow through to a full-bodied palate with silky tannins and a medium finish. A little more bottle age will open it even more. Very pretty.--'95/'96 Bordeaux retrospective. Best after 2008. -JS