1996 vintage guide for Medoc and Graves

drink now

A first-rate vintage with many wines of distinction

5/5

Weather Conditions

After a mild spring, flowering was in mid-June. Early July was cool, but then it warmed up, although the Graves was troubled by August rains. Dry weather returned on 26 August, but temperatures were moderate, conserving acidity as well as helping the ripening process. There was some rain from 18 September, but by then the whites had been picked after any rotting bunches had been eliminated.

Best Appellations

A great year for Cabernet, especially in the northern Médoc, and most, though not all, tasters believe 1996 is even better than 1995. Many outstanding whites from the Graves, with firm acidity.

Best Producers

Ch Margaux is probably the wine of the vintage.