CHATEAU PICHON LONGUEVILLE LALANDE 1996 Stock: 7522 We have been suggesting to our clients to load up on the great 1996 Medocs. Why? Because when you compare prices to 1982, 2000 and 2003, you will realize that most of them are still bargains. The 1996 Pichon Lalande is an amazing wine that will rival the great 1982 and certainly the 2000, and it still sells at a reasonable price. We have just bought a few cases directly from the Chateau. Perfect, original stock and none of that beat up, auction stuff. "The 1996 Pichon-Lalande is just as awesome from bottle as it was from multiple cask tastings. For Pichon-Lalande, the percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon is atypically high. This wine normally contains 35-50% Merlot in the blend, but the 1996 is a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Petit Verdot. Only 50% of the estate's production made it into the grand vin. The color is a saturated ruby/purple. The nose suggests sweet, nearly overripe Cabernet Sauvignon, with its blueberry/blackberry/cassis scents intermixed with high quality, subtle, toasty new oak. Deep and full-bodied, with fabulous concentration and a sweet, opulent texture, this wine was singing in full harmony when I tasted it in January. Given the wine's abnormally high percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon, I would suspect it will close down. It possesses plenty of tannin, but the wine's overwhelming fruit richness dominates its personality. Anticipated maturity: 2004-2025." 96 points R. Parker Original cases, ex-chateau. n/a