1996 Chateau Gruaud-Larose

"Very good dark red-ruby. Explosive, perfumed, ripe cabernet aromas of cassis, coffee, leather and game; more precise and subtle than those of the '97. Sweet, intensely flavored and strong in extract; enlivened by solid acidity. Finishes very long, with firm, tongue-coating tannins. Very strong wine, as precise and scented on the back half as on the front. "Like the '86 but with more finesse and aromatic complexity," says Pauli. (ST)" - Int'l Wine Cellar