Parker : 87-88 / 100
Wine Advocate-Parker :
Tell-tale, lavish, toasty new oak aromas jump from the glass of the dark ruby/purple-colored 1996. Well-made, attractive, and boldly-wooded, the wine's rich fruit easily compensates for all the oak. This vintage does not possess the depth found in the 1990, 1989, and 1982, but it is an excellent wine. This medium-bodied, spicy, lush, open-knit 1996 will be better with 2-3 years of cellaring, and will keep for 10-15.