Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate

My tasting notes for this wine begin with the following words "wow, wow, wow!" I had been looking forward to retasting this 1996 since I had it in spring, 1997, and I was not disappointed by its evolution. The wine possesses an opaque purple color, and an attention-getting, staggering, sweet nose that offers the essence of black currant fruit, kirsch, and minerals as well as the essence of Leoville-Las-Cases's personality. It is fabulously concentrated, with the sur-maturite (over-ripeness) of Cabernet Sauvignon, one of the wine's most undeniable hallmarks. When measured, the tannin level is extremely high, but you would never know that when tasting this wine because of the massive amount of extract, purity, and virtually perfect equilibrium. Despite its rare combination of unbridled power and complexity, this wine has beaucoup de finesse, as well as a finish that lasts close to 45 seconds. A candidate for a perfect rating, it is a modern day legend in the making. Will it surpass the 1986 and 1982? Time will tell. Only 40% of the total harvest was used in the 1996, with the final blend containing a slightly higher percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon than usual. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2030.

Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate

A profound Leoville Las Cases, it is one of the great modern day wines of Bordeaux, rivaling what proprietors Michel and Jean-Hubert Delon have done in vintages such as 1990, 1986, and 1982. The 1996's hallmark remains a sur-maturite (over-ripeness) of the Cabernet Sauvignon grape. Yet the wine has retained its intrinsic classicism, symmetry, and profound potential for complexity and elegance. The black/purple color is followed by a spectacular nose of cassis, cherry liqueur, pain grille, and minerals. It is powerful and rich on the attack, with beautifully integrated tannin, massive concentration, yet no hint of heaviness or disjointedness. As this wine sits in the glass it grows in stature and richness. It is a remarkable, seamless, palate-staining, and extraordinarily elegant wine - the quintessential St.-Julien made it the shadow of its next door neighbor, Latour. Despite the sweetness of the tannin, I would recommend cellaring this wine for 7-8 years. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2035.

Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate

Reviewer, Neal Martin - A very deep garnet core – still very youthful in appearance whilst the nose is stubbornly closed and broody. Blackberry, a touch of cedar, pencil-shavings and smoke. Masculine. The palate is very structured, tannic, masculine, broody, more drier than say the 2000 or 1998. Certainly a long-term proposition given the depth and grip, but not playing ball at the moment. After ten minutes in glass, it begins to show more elegance on subtlety. Drink 2018-2035+.

Stephen Tanzer's IWC

Deep saturated ruby. Quintessential Medoc perfume: black cherry, cassis, violet, minerals, leather, cedar and roasted nuts. Large-scaled and thick, with a texture that truly three-dimensional. Powerful structure gives the wine an extraordinary solidity. Sweet, supple and impressively deep. Tasted alongside the '95, the '96 came across as more refined and considerably more minerally, with the tannins hitting the palate later. Superb claret.