90-94 / 100
Noncontractual photograph
Noncontractual photograph
CHAPOUTIER Ermitage Le Pavillon 1996
Hermitage Rouge
Côte Rotie
Margaux
PAUL JABOULET AINE Le Pied de la Côte 1996
Hermitage Rouge
Cornas
CAVE DES VIGNERONS REUNIS 1996
Côte Chalonnaise
DOMAINE PEYRE ROSE Clos Syrah Leone 1996
Coteaux du Languedoc
Haut Medoc
The 1996 Dom Ruinart is particularly large-scaled for this generally subtle wine, an impression that was reinforced when I tasted a large number of vintages a few months ago. This is a bold, weighty Dom Ruinart that continues to change in the glass, revealing new shades of its smoke and mineral-infused fruit with every taste. The 1996 is a particularly good vintage for Dom Ruinart, and also one of the more accessible Champagnes of that year.
Strong aromas of toast and graphite lead off in this exotic Champagne. Apricot, butterscotch and grapefruit notes follow up as this cruises to a long finish. It's refined, with a vibrant structure.