Classic super Tuscan. Already in the drinking zone. Plush, round and dense in the mouth. Nose is attenuated with hints of barrel toast. Mid palate is almost honied. Medium tannins with soft acidity. Nice long tail to finish. Almost no acidity to talk about. I’m not sure this can be cellared for too long.
Kesté, NYC. — 3 days ago
The 1996 Lafite-Rothschild is the strongest wine from the First Growth in that decade. This bottle, served blind and ex-château in Bordeaux, is so precociously backward that I estimate it to be half its age. Blackberry, cedar and graphite are here as usual, though this bottle has even more intensity than the one served at the estate in 2018. The palate is brilliantly balanced with fine tannins and very intense graphite-infused fruit; there's just a touch more fruité on the finish. Superb. (Neal Martin, Vinous, January 2023) — 4 days ago
1.5 hour decant(little fine/cloudy sediment). A majestic deep ruby red color. On the nose: perfumed nose of plum, smoked meat, old leather, eucalyptus, burnt cedar, green veggie. Taste: smooth, slightly creamy, elegant, structured wine with black plum, currants, herbaceous, nutty chocolate, leather, graphite and a long peppery savory dry finish. YUM!
The financial crisis and excess wine to sell had the 08 1st growths all priced less than $200 a bottle so I bought a bunch. At 15 years, it's finally time to check em all out. This Mouton is a nice start. — 2 days ago
Adam Kincaid

Drank this 2012 in early 2023 and I think it is still young! Could go another decade. Delicious nonetheless. Immediate scents of green bell pepper and herbaceous goods that morphs into blue and black fruits. Vanilla is present but definitely secondary. Upon drinking there is a solid structure with a focused power of restrained medium acidity. Spices and some grease come to the forefront. Great lasting finish. Would love to try again in a few years. — 16 days ago