This wine is produced from a parcel planted in 1957. It is medium-to-dark ruby-colored and boasts a highly-defined nose of black fruits, minerals, and stones. This massive, masculine, expansive, and deep wine is full-bodied, strictly-structured, and drenched in immensely ripe black cherries, plums, and blackberries. It will be at its peak between 2001 and 2006. Bruno Clair described this vintage as abundant (he says his Marsannays averaged 40-45 hectoliters/hectare and his other vineyards averaged yields in the 35-40 h/h range) and perfectly healthy as not a trace of rot was spotted. He went on to say that his '96s have as much as 4 grams per liter of acid, the highest level he has ever seen in Burgundy. Importer: Vineyard Brands, Birmingham, AL; tel (205) 980-8802.