1996 Pommard Les Rugiens

I look forward to serving the 1996 Pommard Les Rugiens side by side with the 1995 in about 6 or 7 years. My feeling is that the more muscular '95 will stand out but I'm convinced the '96 will be superb. It is dark ruby-colored and possesses a deep, dense, black fruit-scented nose as well as a strong, focused, full-bodied, and oily-textured character. Sweet cherries, traces of licorice, cassis, and Asian spices can be found in this structured and delicious wine. Projected maturity: 2002-2006. The score, on a range and in parentheses, indicates that the wine was tasted from barrel. Vincent Girardin's 1996s are generally fresher and more supple than his 1995s, but are not as concentrated or structured. Since he personally prefers softer styled wines, Girardin prefers the 1996 vintage. My feeling is that many of his 1995s will develop better over time than these delicious mid-term drinking wine. Importer: as well as for the Maranges Clos Roussot and Pommard Vignots (I tasted neither),European Cellars (Eric Solomon, tel 212-924-4949), under the Baron de la Charriere label.