Chateau Mouton Rothschild - 1996 (750ml)

95 points Vinous Media

The 1996 Mouton-Rothschild is the high point of what in retrospect was an inconsistent decade for this First Growth. It has a very attractive, classic Pauillac bouquet: predominantly black fruit laced with cedar, freshly rolled tobacco and light graphite scents. It is not lavish, but tightly controlled. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, though not as fine as recent vintages under Philippe Dhalluin. There is satisfying density and gentle grip toward the finish, which feels fresh and contains enough energy to suggest that it is only just reaching its plateau. Tasted from an ex-château jeroboam at the Palace of Versailles charity dinner.

97 points Robert Parker

The last time I tasted the 1996 Mouton Rothschild (maybe a couple of years ago?), I recall it was a bit broody and closed. This showing was anything but! Deep garnet in color, it sashays out of the glass with lavishly dressed, gregarious crème de cassis, baked blackberries and plum pudding scents plus touches of menthol, fenugreek, star anise and sandalwood with fleeting glimpses at dried rose petals and oolong tea. The full-bodied palate is richly fruited, opulent and oh-so seductive, with bags of youthful black fruit and lovely finely grained tannins, finishing with fantastic freshness and length. This was tasted from jeroboam in September 2019. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown Oct 31, 2019

(1996 vintage) "The wine's dark ruby-red color, is not quite opaque. Black-fruit aromas on the nose have a meaty quality, they are intense, warm & ripe with notes of coffee grounds. There is lovely acidity & the mid palate is quite full with silky-smooth tannins. A very well-balanced wine. Alcohol on the finish gives a little warmth & the fruit continues to open, showing additional opulence as the wine opens." - 11/00 DCAMW