(very much a cabernet-dominated vintage, with 57% cabernet sauvignon and 36% merlot) Bright medium ruby. Highly complex aromas of blackberry, violet pastille, eucalyptus, leather and game. Wonderfully sweet but with terrific grip, even a touch of youthful austerity. Very classy, subtle wine with terrific inner-mouth energy. Builds very slowly on the back half, finishing with noble, fine-grained tannins and terrific grip. This makes the 1995 seem almost cooked by comparison. Still needs at least five or six years of cellaring. "We always had unusual tastes in this wine, like eucalyptus and menthol, due to the cool September nights," noted Ducasse.

Professional content appears courtesy of Vinfolio

This impeccably run, Japanese-owned property has fashioned a superb 1996. Opaque purple-colored, with a backward yet promising nose of classically pure cassis intermixed with pain grille and spice, this medium to full-bodied, powerful yet stylish wine possesses superb purity, a nicely-layered feel in the mouth, and plenty of structure. It will not be an early-drinking St.-Julien, but one to lay away and enjoy over the next 2-3 decades.

Professional content appears courtesy of Vinfolio

Enticing aromas of cinnamon and ripe fruit. Medium- to full-bodied, with ripe fruit flavors and a good fruit core. Medium tannins. St.-Julien's Lagrange seldom goes wrong, and this is certainly outstanding for the vintage. 24,000 cases made.

Professional content appears courtesy of Vinfolio

Clear deep Garnet with brickish rim showing some age. Clean intense bouquet of blackberry and light spices. Dry palate of currant and cinnamon. Still very tannic and austere, tight. Don't know if this will ever mellow....almost astringent fruit and tannins combating, expected more flavor integration, serve with fatty/braised beef or aged hard cheese.