I'm a big fan of the 1996 cabernet vintage in the northern Medoc and have about two cases of this stuff in my cellar. I have consistently loved this particular wine, which came out on the shelves at $25 and can still be found out there for under $35. Like other 1996s it has been a bit awkward for a couple years but tonight it was stunning: Pure, rich, deep ruby color. Black raspberries, cassis, great ripeness and structureon the palate. Nice St. Estephe nose. Thoroughly ripe tannins, this is one of those Bordeaux estates where the 1996 outperformed the 2000 (the 2000 Lafon Rochet is also very nice, but much sweeter). I've had this wine about ten times, both before, during, and after its first-decade hibernation. Starting to develop some complexity, this may have been the best showing yet. I'll put this wine up against any $60 Cali Cab any day. I think its going to get even better. A very different wine from the 2000.

Rating: 93 points.

Jim

I am also a big fan of 1996 Lafon Rochet and think it is tremendous QPR. But when I had a bottle a couple months ago, I did not think it was mature enough to drink. It was completely opaque and took hours in the decanter to really open up.

I am looking forward to trying it in a couple years. It definitely has the components to go the distance and turn into a voluptuous, big-boned seductress. I wish I also has a couple cases in my cellar!

Yes it is definitely still very young, but this was one of the most forthcoming bottles I've had since after it was first bottled.

Jim,
it's waxing moon. try it again in 2 weeks and it will totally off. cheerios.

Had this alongside the '96 Pichon Baron and the '95 Prieure-Lichine, and while I scored it the same as the Baron, I gave this the edge. Decanted. Dark crimson colour, barely translucent with cassis, cigar box and cocoa on the nose. Medium-full bodied with black currant, chocolate and spice flavours on a good length sweet finish. 90 points. Drink or hold.

• 1996 Château Lafon-Rochet - France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe (7/3/2007)
  Tasted 1 year ago. Was decanted for 3 hours. Cassis and leather and some oak. More leather and blackberry on a tightly wound acidic backbone. Will this wine ever come out of hiding?( I bought a case in 1999 and been slowly depleting them) Still very tannic. Medium finish. (88 pts.)

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