drink-now1996 Château La Gaffelière, St Emilion, Bordeaux

La Gaffeliere's 1996 is one of this estate's finest efforts over recent years. The property's hallmark style produces medium-bodied, soft, attractive, lightweight wines that are savoured for their delicacy and subtlety as opposed to blockbuster impact. The 1996 reveals a dark plum colour, a sweet nose of black cherries and cassis, a medium body, excellent purity, nicely integrated wood and acidity, and a sweet, finely textured, savoury finish. The wine will benefit from 2-3 years of cellaring and will keep for 15 or more years.

Robert M. Parker, Jr., Wine Advocate (April 1997)