Anne Gros's 1996 Richebourg Grand Cru is still remarkably primary, offering up aromas of cassis, bloody duck, spices and dark berries, framed by a generous application of toasty new oak. On the palate, it's medium to full-bodied, firm and compact, with a chassis of fine but abundant tannin that makes the 1996 even tighter-knit than even the decidedly structural 1993 that preceded it. Given the high acids of the vintage and this Richebourg's extremely extracted style, it's anyone's guess as to when it will eventually be ready to drink, but it's a fine effort in its somewhat austere style.