93 pts – Wine Advocate
94 pts – Wine Spectator
Wonderful aromas of spice, berry and lightly toasty oak. Medium- to full-bodied, with very fine tannins and a lovely finish. All in finesse. A mini-1996. –JS WS
95 pts – Vinous
Deep, bright ruby-red. Sexy, ripe aromas of currant, black plum, raspberry, smoked meat, mocha, jasmine, black olive and earth. Smooth in texture but vinous and bright, with a penetrating character to the flavors of plum, currant, mocha and tobacco. Finishes bright and fresh, with dusty, tactile tannins and a classic St. Estephe medicinal note. This tightened up with aeration.- Stephen Tanzer (5/27)
