Good fresh dark red. Flamboyant nose combines blueberry, blackberry, licorice and Cuban tobacco; distinctly blacker aromas than the '97. Great sweetness and penetration on the palate; flavors are given thrust and grip by a strong spine of acids and tannins. Quintessential grand cru intensity without excess weight. Extremely long, noble finish. Fascinating Bonnes-Mares, and likely to be very long-lived.

Robert Parker''s Wine Advocate 31/08/1998 I loved this medium-to-dark ruby-colored wine. Earthy aromas of stones, minerals, blood, and blueberries can be found in this medium-to-full-bodied, tightly wound, sensual, and seductive wine. Seemingly unending layers of black raspberries, cherries, wild blueberries, tangy red currants, and fresh herbs can be found in this complex, rich, silky-textured, and profound wine. Its sublime finish, which provides the taster with yet another opportunity to witness this offering''s gorgeous purity of fruit, has a firm yet supple backbone. An extraordinary Bonnes Mares! Projected maturity: 2003-2010+. Tasting note: Dense and intense black fruit with plenty of character is followed by rich, big, tannic flavors that are robust, indeed almost rustic. This displays lots of backbone if not much finesse with a nice note of finishing complexity. In short, the '96 Bonnes Mares delivers solid if not truly exceptional quality in a package that will age for many years to come. Consistent notes. (91)

I loved this medium-to-dark ruby-colored wine. Earthy aromas of stones, minerals, blood, and blueberries can be found in this medium-to-full-bodied, tightly wound, sensual, and seductive wine. Seemingly unending layers of black raspberries, cherries, wild blueberries, tangy red currants, and fresh herbs can be found in this complex, rich, silky-textured, and profound wine. Its sublime finish, which provides the taster with yet another opportunity to witness this offering's gorgeous purity of fruit, has a firm yet supple backbone. An extraordinary Bonnes Mares! Projected maturity: 2003-2010+. Importer: Dreyfus Ashby, New York, NY; tel (212) 818-0770.

Quite deep ruby with some evolution. Very intriguing nose. Real lift and balance. Great energy together with depth of fruit. Quite severe but admirably so. Great line. Needs food, of course, but this has the body to compensate for the acidity of this vintage. Long and complex. (JR)