1996 Mouton and Margaux Tasting

Tasted Thursday, January 15, 2026 by Grenik with 48 views

Introduction

Tasting the 1996 Mouton and Margaux

Flight 1 - Tasted single blind (2 Notes)

The wines were known, but were tasted blind side by side. They were quite different from each other and properly guessed by the tasters.

  • 1996 Château Mouton Rothschild 96 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

    Give this a good decant. It was decanted a couple hours and drunk over a few more, but it was still improving. My score improved a couple points through the experience. Medium garnet, pronounced, deep plum, dark cherry, smoke, earth, game, dark chocolate, leather, dry fruit, tar. The nose and palate were dark, brooding, and rich. High acid/tannins, medium+ body that improved through the night, long finish. This was out classed on this night by the 1996 Margaux. The Mouton lacked interest and resolution, but improved through the night. A longer decant on this wine (actually both wines) may have helped it. I would decant at least 4 hours next time if I had the luxury of enjoying over several hours. I might decant 6 hours if taking to a restaurant for dinner.

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  • 1996 Château Margaux 99 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux

    Probably perfect, but I struggle to give out 3-digit scores. Medium garnet, pronounced, cherry, nutmeg, blueberry, tobacco leaf, herbal, violets, espresso, truffle, flint, steel, game, barnyard. Perhaps a little thin in the intensity if I had to justify taking off a point. High acid, high tannins, medium+ body, medium+/pronounced palate, long finish. The palate was less intense than the nose, which is fine, but different than the norm for me. Everything else was perfect with the resolution being amazing. Each whiff and sip was a symphony of flavors and texture in the mouth. I felt the wine was balanced between some primary bright fruit and the classic aged Bdx profile. The wine dominated the 1996 Mouton that was drank along side it.

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Closing

The Margaux really shined. It eclipsed the Mouton. Both wines were better as time progressed, so a longer decant may be warranted. Consider 4-6 hours.

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