1996 d'Armailhac

Full bottle 1,292 g. Pale garnet with a water-white rim. Quite intense, haunting, layered nose. Some richness on palate entry and tannins very slightly present (more so than in the Potensac 1996) but well in retreat. Clean, minty finish. Light-bodied by this time and not one for long-term cellaring! And too old for non-British drinkers probably! (JR)

This is a great moment for Pauillac 1996, and even the slighlty lighter expressions of the appellation such as Armailhac are showing beautifully. Again we are in classic old school Cabernet territory - old books, leather armchairs, tobacco, cigar box, cured leather, wild strawberries, brambled blackberries, hedgerow, graphite, this is one to share with friends, and drink it now while it is at its height. I don't see it ageing as long as many 1996s, so make the most of it. 20% new oak, 45hl/h yield. 85% 1st wine in this year. Harvest September 30 to October 8. Patrick Leon director, Gilles Rey vineyard director, Eric Tourbier winemaker.

The 1996 d'Armailhac is fully mature on the nose with dark plum, briary, cloves and quite a strong violet aroma. The palate is slightly aggressive on the entry with chalky tannin. The acidity is quite pronounced here, firm in the mouth, masculine for d'Armailhac with less flesh than other vintages, although there is decent freshness and spiciness towards the finish. You could drink this now but I might just afford it another 3-4 years to show its mettle. Tasted July 2016.