Lalande de Pomerol, Castillon and Fronsac: primeurs 2016

On the Castillon side, as every year, preference should be given to the more hilly terroirs rather than the hotter plains that suffered from the summer heat. As for Lalande de Pomerol, lovers of fruity, elegant and fleshy wines will have a field day. Between wines vinified by the owners of great wines (Denis Durantou's La Chenade, l'Eglise-Clinet or Hubert de Boüard's Fleur de Boüard de Château Angélus) and lesser-known wines, the appellation is an inexhaustible source of fine wines. Fronsac has produced some remarkable wines. Unfortunately, logistical and editorial contingencies force us to limit their presence, but we'll come back to them very soon.

Domaine Argilius (d') - Castillon - Côtes de Bordeaux - 2016

Lively, dynamic nose, with hints of acidity. Taut palate, a little light, finish a little lively for the vintage. - 15/16

Château Canon Montségur Gaspard - Castillon - Côtes de Bordeaux - 2016

Woody, spicy, lively nose. Well-positioned, well-balanced palate, nervousness for an elegant whole. - 15/16

Château Moulin de Clotte - Castillon - Côtes de Bordeaux - 2016

Lively nose, a touch of sulfur. Dense mouthfeel, substance, lots of extraction with structuring tannins. - 15/16

Château Pierre Levée (de la) - Castillon - Côtes de Bordeaux - 2016

Closed nose, a little shy even after aeration. Velvety and juicy on the palate, elegance, a well-established and balanced wine but not very aromatic. - 15/16

Château Aiguilhe (d') - Castillon - Côtes de Bordeaux - 2016

Fresh, slightly mentholated, blackcurrant. Taut, acidic, straightforward with an airy finish. - 15/16,5

Château Arce (d') - Castillon - Côtes de Bordeaux - 2016

Beautiful, classic Bordeaux nose, spicy and smoky. Very good juice on the palate, with dynamics, movement and a taut finish. A fine wine with tension. - 15/16,5

Château Bréhat - Castillon - Côtes de Bordeaux - 2016

An elegant, floral nose, with a hint of iris. Juicy, suave with substance, good acidity and volume - 15/16.5

Château Cap de Faugères - Castillon - Côtes de Bordeaux - 2016

Floral, beautiful black fruits. Fresh too. Pleasant, fruity mouthfeel - 15/16.5

Château Côte Montpezat Compostelle - Castillon - Côtes de Bordeaux - 2016

Elegant, slightly pronounced oak, black fruits, lovely floral notes. On the palate, the wood is a little dense, a little too prominent. Full-bodied, but the tannins are a little pronounced. To be reviewed after ageing, as it could be a pleasant surprise - 15/16+

Château Montlandrie - Castillon - Côtes de Bordeaux - 2016

Coffee, mocha, hints of spices. Round, unctuous on the palate, more long-lasting with a lovely freshness. Airy finish. - 16,5/17

Château Alcée - Castillon - Côtes de Bordeaux - 2016

Beautifully wooded, melted. Juicy, dense, structuring tannins without any asperity with a fresh, airy finish. - 16/17

Clos Lunelles - Castillon - Côtes de Bordeaux - 2016

Vibrant, dynamic, slightly peony nose. Tannic on the palate, which becomes a little tense with notes of coffee - 16/17

Clos Puy Arnaud - Castillon - Côtes de Bordeaux - 2016

Ripe black fruit, lovely floral notes. Mouth with a heavy tannic load, good acidity and tension. More vertical than horizontal. - 16/17

Domaine L'Aurage (de) - Castillon - Côtes de Bordeaux - 2016

Smoky, a little toasted with notes of plum, violet, a little iris. Round, fruity and juicy on the palate, with a rare appetence for this vintage. - 16/17,5

Domaine l'A (de) - Castillon - Côtes de Bordeaux - 2016

Nose of mocha, a little coffee, iris, licorice, very complex. Sappy, suave but not creamy, as the tension is present and the tannins superb. A work of goldsmith. - 17/18,5

Château Haut-Surget Grande Sélection - Lalande-de-Pomerol - 2016

Very fresh, elegant and floral. Fresh on the palate, with slightly biting tannins on the finish and marked acidity, this is a gourmet wine. - 15/16

Château La Fleur Saint Georges - Lalande-de-Pomerol - 2016

Gourmandise, beautiful fruit, flowers, roundness and suavity. - 15/16

Château Sergant - Lalande-de-Pomerol - 2016

Fresh, elegant, fresh, ripe fruit. Round, greedy and fruity on the palate. - 15/16

Château Tournefeuille - Lalande-de-Pomerol - 2016

Freshness and precision on the nose. Fruity notes enhanced by hints of violet. Smoky and toasty on aeration. Juicy, fruity, round too for a wine based on fruit, pleasure and gourmandise. The tannins tighten a little on the finish. Also for medium aging. - 15/16,5+

Château La Fleur de Boüard - Lalande-de-Pomerol - 2016

Iris, floral, superb mouthfeel of greediness, a fine tannic charge, volume. Energizing - 16/16.5

Château Annereaux (des) - Lalande-de-Pomerol - 2016

Floral nose (peony), lovely spicy aromas. Taut on the palate, a fine tannic charge with length and real freshness. A delicate yet profound Lalande-de-Pomerol. - 16/17

Château Bel-Air (de) - Lalande-de-Pomerol - 2016

Slightly toffee nose, woody character. Velvety, fresh and juicy on the palate, with good fleshiness and fresh volume. - 16/17

Château La Chenade - Lalande-de-Pomerol - 2016

Magnificent black fruits, floral spice. Juicy, crisp palate, lovely depth with a delicate tannic structure. Very velvety. Remarkably well-balanced. - 16/17

Château Sergue (la) - Lalande-de-Pomerol - 2016

Beautiful oak, delicate fruit. Deep mouthfeel, black fruit, velvety tannins. - 16/17

Château Belles-Graves - Lalande-de-Pomerol - 2016

Slightly spicy with notes of black fruit for a velvety, juicy mouthfeel without losing a certain tension and acidity that bring freshness. Gourmet wine - 16/17.5

Château Laborde 1628 - Lalande-de-Pomerol - 2016

Fresh and floral, this cuvée is harmonious and elegant. Juicy on the palate, with tannins that tighten a little with the wood, but the whole is fine, pleasant, even gourmand. - 16/17,5

Domaine Sabines (des) - Lalande-de-Pomerol - 2016

Superb nose of black fruits and violets. Unctuous on the palate, tannic grain, lovely length and freshness. - 16/17,5

Château Siaurac - Lalande-de-Pomerol - 2016

Blackcurrant, a little raspberry with a slight reduction. Juicy, fresh, greedy, with a lovely mouthfeel and precision. One of the most accomplished. - 16/18

Château La Fleur de Boüard Le Plus de - Lalande-de-Pomerol - 2016

Violet, very floral, round, mellow with a tannic framework of density. Airy. - 17/18

Château Les Cruzelles - Lalande-de-Pomerol - 2016

Iris, violet, a little smoky. Juicy, velvety mouthfeel, substance with superb tannins and magnificent length. - 17/18