1996 Château Smith Haut Lafitte***

Magnum. Dark blackish ruby with an older rim than the 1996. Less expressive than the 1995 on the nose. In fact rather low key. Good energy. Sweet harmonious start and lighter and less concentrated than the 1995 but very racy and sinewy and lively. Just a bit tough and hard on the end. (JR)

Quite light crimson without much development. Firm quite intense, ripe nose. Meaty, savoury notes with just a hint of oak, which became more obvious as it sat in the glass. Sweet, intense, neat and concentrated. No great subtlety but lots of force! Not for those who seek superripeness above all else. (JR)

The 1996 Smith-Haut-Lafitte is the quintessentially elegant Bordeaux. With a dark ruby/purple color, it displays a beautiful presentation of blackberry and cassis fruit nicely dosed with subtle new oak. On the attack, the wine is sweet and pure, with striking symmetry, and a compellingly balanced mid-palate and finish. Although not as big as some blockbusters from this vintage, it is extremely complex (both aromatically and flavor-wise), and impressive for its restraint, subtlety, and impeccable balance. Anticipated maturity: 2003-2016.