Exhibiting a medium-to-dark ruby color and lovely floral aromas of cherries, cassis, leather, and blackberries, this wine has excellent intensity and concentration of black fruits as well as earthy, and stony flavors. This medium-to-full-bodied, harmonious, introverted (particularly after the previous offering), and oily-textured wine also possesses a long and firm finish. Drink it between 2001 and 2007. As far as the 1996 vintage is concerned, Rousseau's comments were bluntly candid - "the North wind is concentration. It saves a harvest, prevents rot, concentrates color and sugar, concentrates everything we want. 1996 is better than 1990, it may be too early to say, but there, I said it." With that, Rousseau picked up one of the tastevins hanging on the wall (these are the small, wide, shallow, and traditional silver utensils used for tasting. As far as I know he is the only Burgundian who continues to use them on a regular basis), and the tasting began. Importer: Frederick Wildman & Sons, New York, NY; tel (212) 355-0700.