Rich but youthful colour; fresh and youthful nose, seems to need even more time, the Sauvignon and the oak dominate a bit initially, shows some honeyed development with oxygen and comes together in the glass quickly, after two hours in the decanter mandarin and caramel notes emerge; the palate is rounded, honeyed, lemon curd, ripe but fresh, seamless and silky, with moderate oak tannins, salted butter and a slight vegetal note, wonderful kick of acidity; complete finish, long and fresh.

---

Show more

---

---

Show less

---

In a vintage that produced a lot of high acid, emaciated dry whites, Haut-Brion's 1996 is the wine of the vintage. It displays exceptional concentration, tangy acidity, and gorgeously layered flavors of buttery citrus-like fruit, olives, and smoke. This medium-bodied, concentrated wine is quite backward. It will need a considerable amount of bottle age to shed some of its structure. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2025. Last tasted 11/97

---

Show more

---

---

Show less

---