1996 Château Palmer, Margaux, Bordeaux clos-de-la-cave-des-ducs explaining that the extra space

explaining that the extra space allows him to work with the same precision in the winery as he does in the vineyard

The nose has more tropical

I did a lot of coaxing to nudge the wine along

The 2016 vintage was a collaborative effort between the outgoing David Croix and his replacement

1996 Château Palmer, Margaux, Bordeaux clos-de-la-cave-des-ducs explaining that the extra spaceThe sensuous, generous dollop of 40 % Merlot that went into this I think is what makes this so exquisite and beguiling. Warm, sweet red fruit with a hint of vanilla leading you to a palate which is plump and fleshy but elegant and sophisticated. It really reminds of a top Grand Cru Burgundy from a great year with its purity and grace. Please don't be put off if you read words like "elegant" to mean thin and lacking flavour as it can often mean in wine