Bon Pasteur's 1996 is lighter than I thought from cask. The wine reveals dry, slightly gritty tannin in the finish, which kept my score more conservative. It exhibits spicy new oak, medium body, abundant smoky, black cherry and mocha-tinged fruit, good weight, excellent purity, and a firm, structured, muscular finish. This wine should evolve nicely for 10-12 years.

Bon Pasteur’s 1996 reveals dry, slightly gritty tannin in the finish, which kept my score more conservative. It exhibits spicy new oak, medium body, abundant smoky, black cherry and mocha-tinged fruit, good weight, excellent purity, and a firm, structured, muscular finish. This wine should evolve nicely for 7-8 years. Last tasted, 3/00.