1996 Château Haut-Marbuzet
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Tasting notes
First bottle: On the way to oxidation. Second bottle: Deep, layered crimson. Unusually ripe on the nose. Round and mellifluous. Lovely drink already though the fruit seems to be in retreat. Drink soon! Fades fast on the finish. And after a few minutes in the glass, it also aged rapidly. What a shame… (JR)
Critic scores
Wine Spectator
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
Tell-tale, lavish, toasty new oak aromas jump from the glass of the dark ruby/purple-colored 1996. Well-made, attractive, and boldly-wooded, the wine's rich fruit easily compensates for all the oak. This vintage does not possess the depth found in the 1990, 1989, and 1982, but it is an excellent wine. This medium-bodied, spicy, lush, open-knit 1996 will be better with 2-3 years of cellaring, and will keep for 10-15.
Lots of plum and sweet tobacco aromas follow through to a full-bodied palate, with velvety tannins and a long finish. Delicious. But needs time still. Holding up nicely.--'95/'96 Bordeaux retrospective. Best after 2008. James Suckling, Wine Spectator 2007
Tell-tale, lavish, toasty new oak aromas jump from the glass of the dark ruby/purple-colored 1996. Well-made, attractive, and boldly-wooded, the wine's rich fruit easily compensates for all the oak. This vintage does not possess the depth found in the 1990, 1989, and 1982, but it is an excellent wine. This medium-bodied, spicy, lush, open-knit 1996 will be better with 2-3 years of cellaring, and will keep for 10-15. Feb 1998, www.robertparker.com