As is the case with many of the best wines from the '96 red burgundy vintage, this is still quite fresh and youthful though no longer primary with its layered and very pretty notes of various red berries, Asian spice box scents and floral hints, all of which is trimmed in subtle but noticeable wood. There is excellent intensity and detail to the delicious middle weight flavors that possess really lovely focus on the lingering and reasonably well-balanced finish. I say reasonably well-balanced because the acidity is certainly present but it's not drying even if there is a trace of edginess. Based on the most recent bottle my take is that this has now arrived on the front edge of its full maturity though it will certainly be capable of holding for years to come. In sum, I would observe that 1996 is a fine to very fine vintage for this wine but it's not a genuinely great one. Multiple and largely consistent notes.

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This blockbuster wine possesses a profound nose. It exhibits awesomely ripe red and black fruits, raw meat, and Asian spices, all of which are encased in sweet toasty oak. This full-bodied, wide, thick, focused, harmonious, and intense wine releases amazingly powerful layers of candied black cherries and blackberries. It is structured, totally precise, pure, and possesses an exceptionally long finish loaded with abundant sweet tannins. It will require patience. (PR)

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Deep color. Very pure fruit confit aromas of cassis and blackberry. A rich La Tâche, with a combination of ripeness and high acidity. It's up front in its appeal today, with a great nose and tight finish.--La Tâche non-blind vertical. Best from 2015 through 2040. (BS)

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