Anyone who ever tells you that tasting seventy of Bordeaux' finest wines in a three day period is not "work" is lying. Tasting, unlike drinking, requires intense concentration and ideal circumstances. One has to make detailed notes, later to transcribe those notes, put them into more-or-less readable and informative form and finally, send them off to one's newspaper, internet site or wherever. Frankly, it's a heckuva lot of hard work.

Don't misunderstand, however, for such work also offers its pleasures, especially when dealing with a Bordeaux vintage such as that of 1996. From early tastings, some from the barrels, I had anticipated good and even many excellent wines. I did not, however, anticipate the high level of excellence I found. In fact, between the time I made my barrel tastings and these real-time tastings, I found that many of the wines earned 2, 3 or even 4 points more than they did earlier. As the song has it: "Who could ask for anything more".

As always, scores are based on a maximum of 100 points. Wines rated 96 - 100 are those I consider truly great and those that earn 90 - 95 are exceptional in every way. Wines with scores of 85 - 89 are excellent and highly recommended; those with scores between 80 - 84 are recommended although without a great deal of enthusiasm; and wines earning 70 - 79 are average but at least somewhat faulted.

Pauillac

Chateau Latour, Pauillac, 1996: As my daughter would say, "a wine to die for". Latour at its archetypical best! So full bodied and powerful that one tends to think of it as concentrated, but maintaining a sense of well balanced elegance and excellence. Still powerful tannins tend to hide the black cherry, berry and mineral flavors and aromas but don't let that put you off for this wine will begin to come into its own only in about 5 years and will then cellar and evolve for 30 - 40 years or longer. Score 97+. (Tasted 29 Sept 2001)

Chateau Lafite-Rothschild, Pauillac, 1996: A classic wine, so dark in color that it appears black.
Ful bodied and with cassis and spiced berry fruits all overlayed with tobacco, cedar and minerals, all of which linger very comfortably. Yes, you will also find the lead pencil fragrance that so often typifies Lafite! Hold at least another two years and then look forward to exciting drinking until 2020 - 2025.
Score 95. (Tasted 29 Sept 2001)

Chateau Mouton-Rothschild, Pauillac: A delicious, concentrated and traditional Mouton. Deep ruby red, with aromas and flavors of wild berries, lilacs, chocolate, coffee and cigar box aromas and flavors, this full bodied wine has smooth tannins, long-lingering flavors all of which come together in comfortable and elegant ways. The wine is already approachable but will be even better in 3 - 4 years. Score 95. (Tasted 29 Sept 2001)

Chateau Pichon Langueville Comtesse de Lalande, Pauillac, 1996: An unusual departure from the norm for this Chateau. Instead of using the 30 - 40% of Merlot that they usually blend with their Cabernet, this year they opted to use only 5% of Merlot. No cause for complaint, however, for this medium bodied wine shows excellent balance between red and black fruits, oak and tannins and should cellar nicely for 30 or more years. Start drinking only in 2005. Score 92. (Tasted 29 Sept 2001)

Chateau Grand-Puy-Lacoste, Pauillac, 1996: Full bodied and concentrated, with silky smooth tannins and plenty of currants, wild berries and nice hints of mint and herbs in its flavors and aromas, this delicious wine is very well balanced indeed and should drink well from 2002 - 2010 or longer. Score 92. (Tasted 29 Sept 2001)

Chateau Lynch-Bages, Pauillac, 1996: With an abundance of rasbperry and wild berry aromas and flavors, all with an appealing cedar overlay, this full bodied and still massively tannic wine opens beautifully in the glass despite its youth to reveal elegance and velvety flavors that linger very nicely indeed on the palate. Approachable now but will be better in 2 - 3 years and then should go on comfortably until 2010- 2015. Score 92. (Tasted 29 Sept 2001)

Chateau Clerc Milon, Pauillac, 1996: Medium to full bodied, this fifth-growth wine (one of the properties of Baron de Rothschild, S.A.) has a deep color and an intense bouquet of blackcurrants, herbs and smoky oak. With a creamy texture and flavors that linger nicely on the palate, the wine is already drinking nicely but has the potential to cellar well until 2006 - 2008. Score 89. (Tasted 29 Sept 2001)

Chateau Haut-Batailley, Pauillac, 1996: Complex smoky, oaky aromas come together nicely with blackcurrant and plum flavors in this medium to full bodied wine. Moderate tannins and a remarkable level of smoothness make the wine approachable now. Drink until 2012 - 2015. Score 88. (Tasted 29 Sept 2001)

Les Carruades de Chateau Lafite, Pauillac, 1996: Nothing whatever second-class about this second wine which is drinking well now but will attain its fullest charms only in another 3 - 4 years. Even then, not to worry as the wine will cellar nicely until about 2005 - 2006. Score 88. (Tasted 29 Sept 2001)

Les Forts de Latour, Pauillac, 1996: The second wine of Chateau Latour, this full bodied, well balanced wine has plenty of smooth tannins that marry nicely with black fruits, wild berries and appealing herbaceous overtones. Drink now or until 2005. Score 88.

Chateau Pontet-Canet, Pauillac, 1996: Full bodied and with a deep royal purple clor, and with ripe fruits, licorice and vanilla. Well balanced but still tight tannins give the wine the promise of opening nicely to show smoky, cassis flavors. Best between 2003 - 2008. Score 87. (Tasted 29 Sept 2001)

Chateau Haut-Bages Liberal, Pauillac, 1996: Royal purple in color and sweet plum notes nicely balanced by moderate tannins and pleasing spicy currant flavors make this a medium bodied wine that will drink nicely starting in 2002 and then for another 5 - 6 years. Score 87. (Tasted 29 Sept 2001)

Domaine des Gartieux, Pauillac, 1996: The raspberry, black cherry amd mocha flavors in this medium bodied, country style wine have to struggle a bit too hard to make themselves felt through aromas of damp, perhaps even somewhat moldy forest greenery. Drink in the very near future. Score 82. (Tasted 29 Sept 2001)

Margaux

Chateau Margaux, Margaux, 1996: Oaky but not in an aggressive fashion, and with fine tannins and plenty of cassis, smoke, spices and flowers. Full bodied and with flavors that linger very nicely, this is a wine to cellar until at least 2005 and then well into the second decade of the century. Score 93. (Tasted 29 Sept 2001)

Chateau Palmer, Margaux, 1996: The 1989 Palmer was magnificent, the 1990 was merely excellent and this one falls somewhere in the middle of those two categories. Rich, concentrated, with excellent balance and structure, and flavors that linger nicely, this is a wine that will open in a few years to show concentrated black fruits, licorice, oak and sweet herbal flavors and aromas. Deep ruby to purple in color, and already satiny on the palate, the wine will drink beautifully between 2005 - 2020. Score 94. (Tasted 29 Sept 2001)

Chateau d'Angludet, Margaux, 1996: A traditional Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, this deep, almost dense medium to full bodied red wine is loaded with black currants and has nice overlays of chocolate and vanilla. With good balance between fruits and tannins, this sturdy, still young wine is already generous and rich. The wine can be drunk now but will be at its best only in another three to six years. 25 Sterling. Score 91+.

Chateau Rausan Segla, Margaux, 1996: Dark royal purple in color, this medium to full bodied wine has a lovely, almost sweet bouquet of wild raspberries and blackberries. With subtle notes of new oak and an abundance of smooth tannins, this is a wine that will is already approachable but will continue to develop nicely until about 2010. Score 91. (Tasted 29 Sept 2001)

Chateau Rauzan-Segla, Margaux, 1996: Abundant smooth tannins, plenty of black and red currants, wild berries and hints of chocolate, tobacco and vanilla come together very nicely in this medium to full bodied wine. Drinking nicely now but the wine should cellar nicely until 2008 - 2010. Score 89. (Tasted 29 Sept 2001)

Chateau Cantenac Brown, Margaux, 1996: Medium to full bodied, with blackcurrant aromas that make themselves well felt, and smooth balanced tannins. Rich and mouthfilling, the wine can be approached now but will hold nicely until 2003 - 2005. Score 86. (Tasted 29 Sept 2001)

Chateau du Tertre, Margaux, 1996: Medium bodied, with a deep ruby color, this not overly deep or complex 5eme cru wine appealing aromas and flavors of blackcurrants and plums with a few hints of smoky oak. Somewhat one-dimensional, the wine can make for pleasant drinking now or in the next year or two. Score 85. (Tasted 29 Sept 2001)

Pomerol

Chateau Petrus, Pomerol, 1996: Taste this wine and laugh once again, as I did, at those who say that Petrus is not what it once was! So deep purple in color that you might think it is black, this intense and concentrated wine has an exquisite array of black fruits that mingle together with aromas and flavors of black fruits, coffee, tobacco and herbs. Loaded with tannins this is a wine that will need time to reveal its very best and that very best promises to be splendiferous indeed. Start drinking only about 2004 - 2005. Score 95. (Tasted 30 Sept 2001)

Chateau La Fleur, Pomerol, 1996: Refined and elegant, this full bodied wine has plenty of cherry, cassis, mineral, spring flouwers and oak flavors and aromas. Deep purple in color, and with concentrated flavors and silky smooth tannins. Hold until 2005 and then look forward to 15 - 20 years of fine drinking. Score 95. (Tasted 29 Sept 2001)

Le Pin, Pomerol, 1996: Bordeaux' par-excellence cult wine, demanding outrageous prices that its lovers swear is worth every franc. Whatever, medium to full bodied, with gobs of ripe black berry, currant and plum aromas and with remarkably smooth tannins, this rich and delicious medium to full bodied wine is drinking beautifully now but should cellar nicely iuntil 2008 - 2010. Considering that the wine is now going for between 400 - 500 Sterling in England, one cannot help but wonder just how hedonistic we are willing to be. Score 94+. (Tasted 29 Sept 2001)

Chateau La Conseillante, Pomerol, 1996: I confess that I never get to drink the wines of this Chateau often enough. All of which is a shame for in its best years it is very, very excellent indeed. An unusual Conseillante because unlike many of its brothers and sisters from this vintage, this one offers remarkably soft textures and a velvet-like texture that calls to mind the truly great 1990 wine (which earned a score of 99). With an abundance of fruit, excellent concentration and flavors that linger on and on, seemingly without end, this par-excellence Merlot based wine is already approachable but should hold nicely for another 10 - 12 years. Score 94. (Tasted 29 Sept 2001)

Chateau Certain de May, Pomerol, 1996: Every bit as good as the 1990 wine. Full bodied and with plenty of cassis, herbs, tobacco and roasted nuts (don't be surprised to interpret a hint of peanut butter here), and packed with tannins, this lovely wine will be at its best between 2003 - 2010 or later.
Score 92. (Tasted 30 Sept 2001)

Chateau Le Bon Pasteur, Pomerol, 1996: A delicious, almost luscious wine, rich with black cherries, currants, coffee and hints of vanilla, this medium to full bodied wine is rapidly becoming approachable and should cellar well for another decade or more. One of the happy surprises of the vintage. Score 92. (Tasted 30 Sept 2001)

Vieux Chateau Certan, Pomerol, 1996: Rich and elegant, with excellent balance, depth and length.
Plenty of black plums, cassis, spices and herbs make this deep colored wine opulent and ripe. A wine to set aside and to anticipate drinking between 2003 - 2010 or longer. 60 Sterling. Score 91. (Tasted 30 Sept 2001)

Chateau Clinet, Pomerol, 1996: Medium to full bodied, with silky smooth tannins and with black fruit, chocolate and hints of mint and licorice in its flavors and aromas, this medium to full bodied wine will drink nicely from 2002 - 2010. Score 91. (Tasted 30 Sept 2001)

Chateau Petit-Village, Pomerol, 1996: Deep purple, this medium to full bodied wine is ripe and velvety, with plenty of stewed plum, toasty oak and spice flavors in its aromas and flavors. Meant for drinking during its first decade, the wine is already delicious and should cellar well until about 2005.
Score 89+. (Tasted 30 Sept 2001)

Chateau Beauregard, Pomerol, 1996: Medium bodied and with plenthy of spicy, jammy qualities but rather one dimensional and with flavors that are far too short. Drink now or in the next 4 - 5 years.
Score 86. (Tasted 30 Sept 2001)

St.-Emilion

Chateau Ausone, St. Emilion, 1996: As always in its best years, this wine is loaded with concentrated red and black fruit aromas and flavors, all set off very well by plenty of still firm tannins. Medium to full bodied and concentrated, this wine promises to show off its elegance only with long cellaring. The wine will be approachable by 2005 but will be at its best between 2015 and 2035. If it's a super-star you want, this is the one. Score 95. (Tasted 30 Sept 2001)

Chateau La Mondotte, St.-Emilion, 1996: This is the first wine I have tasted from this Chateau, but it is so good that I can assure you that it will not be the last. Deep purple in color and with orange tints as it is held up to the light, this medium to full bodied wine shows generous black fruit, wild berry and cedar wood aromas and flavors. Plenty of smooth tannins here as well as flavors that linger very nicely on the palate. Score 94. (Tasted 30 Sept 2001)

Chateau Cheval Blanc, St. Emilion, 1996: Deep color, expansive and opulent, with aromas of herbs, tobacco, blackcurrants, mint and the smoky hints that always set this wine apart, this medium to full bodied version has generous flavors that linger on and on. Rich and velvety, the wine will be approachable in 4 - 5 years and will cellar nicely until 2020- 2025. Score 94. (Tasted 30 Sept 2001)

Chateau Troplong-Mondot, St. Emilion, 1996: Full bodied, with exceptionally rich and concentrated feeling on the palate and with loads of black berry, vanilla, herbs and oak, this is a typicl Troplong - showing nicely how power, finesse and grace can come together in a wine that although it will be approachable in 2002 --2003 will be at its best only in another 10 - 12 years. Score 93. (Tasted 30 Sept 2001)

Chateau Fourtet, St.-Emilion, 1996: Lots of subtle berries, plums and cassis come together very nicely on the nose and the palate in this deep, full bodied wine. Smooth tannins and inherent good balance make the wine drinkable now or in the next 8 - 10 years. Score 91. (Tasted 30 Sept 2001)

Chateau L'Angelus, St. Emilion, 1996: Medium to full bodied, with wild berry, cassis and light floral flavors and aromas. Plenty of smooth tannins make this wine ready to drink starting in 2002 - 2003 but the wine will cellar nicely until 2015 or longer. Score 91. (Tasted 30 Sept 2001)

Chateau Pavie Macquin, St. Emilion, 1996: A wine in which excellence abounds. Medium to full bodied, concentrated and still tannic, but with the promise to open to show black cherries, raspberries, vanilla and hints of sage in its aromas and flavors. Well balanced and already approachable. Cellar until 2008. Score 90. (Tasted 30 Sept 2001)

Chateau Beau-Sejour Becot, St. Emilion, 1996: Surprisingly full bodied for Beau-Sejour Becot, and with plenty of concentrated, jammy black cherry, vanilla and smoky oak, this well structured wine is still somewhat aggressive but will drink very well between 2010 - 2015. Score 88. (Tasted 30 Sept 2001)

St. Estephe

Chateau Cos d'Estournel, St. Estephe, 1996: Still closed and markedly tannic because of its youth, but with the promise of opening beautifully to reveal a complex wine in which you will find currants, berries, spicy oak, allspice and herbal overtones. Full bodied and already showing a beautiful nose, this promises to be an opulent wine. Drink now only if infanticide is one of your passions in life, for this beautiful wine will only begin to approach its glory in 5 - 6 years and will then develop and cellar well until 2030 or later. Score 95. (Tasted 30 Sept 2001)

Chateau Montrose, St. Estephe, 1996: Montrose with its classic bouquet and flavors of redcurrants, plums, minerals, spices and cedar wood, all on a package of firm but smooth tannins and with flavors that linger beautifully. Start drinking in 2003 - 2004 but look forward to cellaring until 2015 or later. Score 93. (Tasted 30 Sept 2001)

Chateau Phelan Segur, St. Estephe, 1996: Consistently producing wines that are far above its assigned level as Cru Bourgeois! Lots of blackcurrants in this rich, medium-bodied wine. Somewhere between deep ruby and purple in its color, with a rich nose and flavors that linger nicely. One of the best ever from the Chateau. Score 90. (Tasted 30 Sept 2001)

Chateau Calon Segur, St. Estephe, 1996: Medium to full bodied, with a purple-black color and still very tannic and hard, but with the concentration and balance to develop very well. Look for black cherries, blackcurrants, oak and chocolate here and as the wine develops on the palate you will find some Mediterranean herbs making themselves felt. An impressive wine to hold until 2004 - 2010.
Score 89. (Tasted 30 Sept 2001)

Chateau de Marbuzet, St. Estephe, 1996: Good fruits, tannins that are becoming more moderate and a rich soft feel of the oak make this wine drinkable now or in the next 5 - 6 years. Score 87. (Tasted 30 Sept 2001)

St. Julien

Chateau Leoville-Las-Cases, St. Julien, 1996: Full bodied and so dark in color that it can be described as opaque, this complex wine shows excellent balance its complex fruits and deep but smooth tannins.
With plenty of cassis, floral and spicy flavors and aromas, this is a wine that will cellar nicely until 2015- 2020. Score 95. (Tasted 1 Oct 2001)

Chateau Ducru-Beaucaillou, St. Julien, 1996: Medium to full bodied, this is one of the very best wines from this chateau since their excellent 1982. Lots of black currant berries and leaves, lead pencil, and toasty oak here, all with an almost floral bouquet. With flavors that linger on and on, the wine is already approachable but will cellar nicely until 2025 or longer. Score 94. (Tasted 1 Oct 2001)

Chateau Gruaud-Larose, St. Julien, 1996: This medium to full bodied blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot is marked with rich flavors of black currents, licorice and herbal flavors and aromas. With flavors that linger nicely, this elegant wine will be approachable in another year or two and then should cellar nicely until about 2020. Score 92. (Tasted 1 Oct 2001)

Chateau Lagrange, St. Julien, 1996: With plenty of sweet oak and currant aromas and flavors, this concentrated medium to full bodied wine lingers nicely on the palate. Hold until at least 2005 before starting to drink and then the wine should cellar until 2020- 2025. Score 92. (Tasted 1 Oct 2001)

Chateau Talbot, St. Julien, 1996: Deep ruby in color, with a marvelous array of flavors and aromas (look especially for blackcurrants, wild berries, leather, herbs, chocolate, vanilla, smoky oak and, spices). The wine is barely approachable now but as the tannins integrate over time the wine will prove seductive and voluptuous. Best between 2004 - 2012. Score 90+. (Tasted 1 Oct 2001)

Chateau Leoville-Poyferre, St. Julien, 1996: Deep royal purple towards crimson in color, this medium to full bodied wine shows silky tannins, and enchanting aromas and flavors of wild berries, herbs and oak. Somewhat tough in texture at this tasting, but promising to smooth out nicely, so be sure to cellar it for at least another 4 - 5 years. Score 90. (Tasted 1 Oct 2001)

Chateau Langoa Barton, St. Julien, 1996: Medium to full bodied and with spicy tobacco, cherry and currant aromas and flavors. Not overly tannic and with good acidity, the wine is already approachable and should drink nicely for 5 - 6 years longer. Score 88. (Tasted 1 Oct 2001)

Chateau Beychevelle, St. Julien, 1996: Medium bodied and with a lovely bouquet of ripe black fruits, flowers, vanilla and licorice, all of which develop well on the palate, this rich and elegant wine should develop nicely until 2005 - 2008. Score 88. (Tasted 1 Oct 2000)

Chateau Gloria, St. Julien, 1996: As fruity a wine as one could want, with blackcurrants, plums and herbs, this deeply scented medium to full bodied wine is drinking very well nicely and should cellar well until 2004 - 2005. Score 86. (Tasted 1 Oct 2001)

Haut-Medoc

Chateau Sociando-Mallet, Haut-Medoc, 1996: Medium bodied but with good concentration and plenty of warm spices, black currants and toasty oak, all complimented nicely by hints of licorice and minerals. Rich in flavor and with tannins that are rapidly smoothing out, the wine will be at its best between 2002- 2010. Score 90. (Tasted 1 Oct 2001)

Chateau Cantermerle, Haut-Medoc, 1996: An abundance of soft red and black fruits, nice hints of smoky oak on the nose and smooth tannins make this a succulent wine that although ready to drink in another year or two will cellar nicely until 2010 - 2012. Score 87. (Tasted 1 Oct 2001)

Chateau de Camensac, Haut-Medoc, 1996: A Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, with good fruit flavors and aromas and just enough acids and tannins to give it body. If you received it at a cafe in Paris to accompany your ham or cheese sandwich you would be quite content. Drink now if at all. 6 Sterling. Score 83. (Tasted 1 Oct 2001)

Medoc

Chateau Vieux Robin, Medoc, 1996: A Cru Bourgeois estate but one whose wines often surprise in their complexity. The 1996 wine is full bodied, and has plenty of cassis, black cherry fruits, smooth tannins and a lovely nose of ripe plummy fruit. This medium bodied wine is ready to drink now but should cellar well for 2 - 3 years longer. Score 88. (Tasted 1 Oct 2001)

Chateau La Tour de By, Medoc, 1996: Plenty of black fruit, light herbal overtones and smooth tannins
make this medium to full bodied wine approachable now, but the wine will improve over the next 2 - 3 years. Score 86. (Tasted 1 Oct 2001)

Pessac-Leognan

Chateau Haut-Brion, Pessac-Leognan, 1996: A blend of 50% Merlot, 39% Cabernet Sauvignon and 11% Cabernet Franc, this is Haut-Brion at its best. Full bodied, very well balanced and with a deep, ruby color, this concentrated but supple wine shows lovely wild berry, plum and earthy characteristics. The wine will be approachable in 2005 and should cellar well until 2030. Score 93. (Tasted 1 Oct 2001)

La Mission-Haut-Brion, Pessac Leognan, 1996: Lots of new oak and plenty of black cherry, plum and and cassis, all complemented nicely by chocolate and smoky aromas and flavors come together nicely in a muscular but still elegant wine that will cellar nicely for 15 - 20 years. Wait until 2003 to start drinking this one. Score 92. (Tasted 1 Oct 2001)

Chateau Pape-Clement, Pessac-Leognan, 1996: Ripe and smoky, this deep garnet colored wine has a medium to full body, plenty of smooth tannins that give a still firm grip, and concentrated aromas and flavors of black fruits, roasted chestnuts, and tobacco. Approachable now but the wine will develop very nicely in the bottle and become more elegant over the years. Store until 2010 - 2012. Score 90.
(Tasted 1 Oct 2001)

Chateau Haut-Bailly, Pessac-Leognan, 1996: A very tempting wine, loaded with jammy black fruits, and spicy, almost meaty flavors, this full bodied Haut-Bailly also boasts generous hints of caramel and molasses on the nose. Royal purple in color, the wine will show its best in another 3 - 4 years. Score 90. (Tasted 1 Oct 2001)

Moulis

Chateau Maucaillou, Moulis, 1996: Generous raspberry and oak and a few herbal overtones give this medium to full bodied wine a seductive feel on the palate. Drink now until 2006. Score 87. (Tasted 2 Oct 2001)

Cotes de Blaye, Cotes de Bourg,

Chateau Segonzac, Premieres Cotes de Blaye, A.C. 1996: Medium bodied, well structured and with good balance between ripe black and red fruits and smooth tannins. Drink now or in the next 3 - 4 years. Score 87. (Tasted 2 Oct 2001)

Chateau Macay, Cotes de Bourg, 1996: Once a "boring" producer of wines but not giving more interesting, fruitier and fuller bodied wines, this medium bodied blackcurrant and plum laded wine has just enough balancing tannins and acids. Ideal for drinking now or in the next year or two. Score 85.
(Tasted 2 Oct 2001)

Chateau Tayac, Cotes de Bourg, 1996: Not very exciting, this too light wine boasts too firm tannins and only the stingiest of berry and cedar aromas and flavors. Score 78. (Tasted 2 Oct 2001)

Bordeaux Superieur, Cru Bourgeois

Sirius, Bordeaux, 1996: Medium to full bodied, with still firm tannins and plenty of wild berries, raspberries and hints of plums and vanilla in its aromas and flavors, this well made wine is meant to appeal to an international audience. In fact, so internationalized is the wine that during several blind tastings I found it difficult to say whether it was from California, Washington State or France. At any rate, an interesting merchant's blend. 7 Sterling. Score 86+. (Tasted 3 Oct 2001)

Chateau Le Gardera, Bordeaux Superieur, 1996: One of many "petite chateaux", and a popular wine within france. Medium bodied, with good wild berry and black cherry aromas and flavors. Fully ready, so drink now or in the next year or so. Score 86. (Tasted 2 Oct 2001)

Chateau Noaillac, Bordeaux Cru Bourgeois, 1996: Rich in flavors and aromas of dark fruits, cassis and with light herbal-leather overtones, this charming medium bodied wine will make for good drinking nor or in the next 2 - 3 years. A small Cru Bourgeois estate to keep an eye on for good value and increasingly good wines. Score 86. (Tasted 3 Oct 2001)

Chateau Grand-Jean, Bordeaux, 1996: Another "simple" estate showing regular improvement in the last 4 - 5 years. Simple but pleasant, with plenty of black currant, plum and wild berries flavors and smooth tannins, the wine is fully ready to enjoy now. Score 85. (Tasted 3 Oct 2001)

© Daniel Rogov