Chateau d'Armailhac 5eme Cru 1996

Jane Anson: This is a great moment for Pauillac 1996, and even the slighlty lighter expressions of the appellation such as Armailhac are showing beautifully. Again we are in classic old school Cabernet territory – old books, leather armchairs, tobacco, cigar box, cured leather, wild strawberries, brambled blackberries, hedgerow, graphite, this is one to share with friends, and drink it now while it is at its height. I don’t see it ageing as long as many 1996s, so make the most of it. 20% new oak, 45hl/h yield. 85% 1st wine in this year. Harvest September 30 to October 8. Patrick Leon director, Gilles Rey vineyard director, Eric Tourbier winemaker. 94/100

Jancis Robinson: Transparent ruby with a pale rim. Very pretty nose. Lightly dusty start but this bottle is richer and fruitier than the bottle of Clerc Milon 1996 served alongside. Impressively long. The best bottle of this wine I can remember tasting.