The 1996 Pavillon Rouge du Château Margaux is widely considered one of the greatest early vintages of Château Margaux's second wine and, by the estate's own assessment, may be superior to the excellent 1995. In 1996, Château Margaux made an exceptionally strict selection for the Grand Vin, diverting a larger proportion of high-quality fruit into Pavillon Rouge than ever before. The estate described the wine as having a "very fine nose still full of fruit" with a supple, fleshy palate and noted that it was already drinking beautifully. The hallmark of the wine is elegance rather than power, with silky tannins and the unmistakable aromatic lift that makes Margaux unique. Several mature tastings have noted its harmony, freshness, and surprisingly vibrant fruit for a wine now approaching 30 years of age. 1996 is regarded as one of the finest Left Bank Bordeaux vintages of the 1990s, particularly for Cabernet Sauvignon-based wines from the Médoc. The cool, dry September allowed Cabernet Sauvignon to achieve exceptional ripeness while retaining freshness and structure.

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