Displaying a dark ruby color, this outstanding wine has a gorgeously refined floral, perfumed, and red cherry-laden nose. On the palate, this full-bodied, thick, dense, concentrated, and satiny-textured offering is jam-packed with intensely ripe red cherries, sweet cassis, and blackberries (Clair said it has the lowest acidity of his 1996s). Its superb structure, balance, and loads of fruit should allow it to evolve beautifully for a decade or more. Anticipated maturity: 2001-2006. 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.