The 1996 vintage

For the 1996 wines, the 1996 vintage forms a happy tandem with the 1995 vintage. The alternation of dry periods and well-distributed rains in 1996 created favorable climatic conditions, contributing to a good balance for the vines. The year offers excellent wines for laying down that have kept very well over the past 20 years.

Bordeaux wines in 1996

Unlike 1995, which was favorable to Merlot, it was the Cabernet Sauvignons that benefited from the climatic conditions of 1996. This will be, above all, a great vintage for aging. The weather was erratic during the summer and the second half of September was rainy.

The quality of the vintage is exceptional this year, marked by a perfect harmony between the wine’s various elements. They offer a beautiful balance, with structure and aromatic richness. The acidity is present, bringing freshness and liveliness while supporting the wine’s structure. The tannins, powerful and silky, are well integrated. Thanks to this combination of power, elegance, and aging potential, these wines will develop magnificently over time, offering an increasingly complex and refined taste experience. The sweet wines, characterized by remarkable purity, are also splendid.

Among the great successes of Bordeaux wines in 1996, we should mention the wines of Château Calon Segur 1996, Château Mouton Rothschild 1996, Château Léoville Poyferré 1996, Château Haut Brion 1996, Petrus 1996, Château Cheval Blanc 1996.

The 1996 vintage in Burgundy

The 1996 vintage in Burgundy is considered excellent, with wines that combine intensity, maturity, and finesse. Early flowering in early June allowed the grapes to ripen in optimal conditions, resulting in a harvest marked by a beautiful concentration of flavors. The summer, although somewhat contrasting, offered ideal temperatures with warm days and cool nights, promoting a gradual and balanced ripening of the grapes. This resulted in wines with a solid structure, with fine, elegant tannins that integrate perfectly. The exceptional harvest conditions contributed to producing wines of great precision, with good acidity that supports the structure and guarantees excellent aging potential.

The Rhone Valley in 1996

The Rhône vineyards were affected by unpredictable weather in 1996, producing decent but superior wines in the northern Rhône. In the northern part, the wines are rich, acidic, and a little harsh in their youth, but promise good aging potential. In the south, the wines are fruitier and lighter, offering a more accessible approach and less suited to long-term aging.

Champagnes from the 1996 vintage

The 1996 champagnes are excellent, thanks to the prolonged heat and dryness of the summer which allowed the grapes to reach an impressive maturity, while retaining an acidity which guarantees excellent aging potential.

Our selection of 1996 wines

Petrus 1996

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Louis Roederer 1996

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Mouton Rothschild 1996

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