Wine Spectator:"Chocolate, tobacco aromas and flavors. Medium-to-full in body, with plush tannins, long finish. Better than the 1995."

Wine Spectator

Robert Parker:"I tasted this wine three times in January, rating it 88, 89 and 90 with similar tasting notes. The wine is close to being outstanding, exhibiting a saturated dark ruby color, and excellent aromatics, consisting of black fruits intermixed with licorice, dried herbs, and roasted meat smells. It is full, with impressive extract, a fleshy texture, low acidity, excellent purity, and a long, deep, chewy finish. This 1996 will be drinkable at a young age, yet keep for 15-20 years."

Robert M. Parker Jr.