Listrac and Moulis-en-Médoc: primeurs 2016

Although they are usually grouped together, and this year is no exception, the wines are very different. Listrac dominates the Médoc with an altitude of 47 meters and cooler terroirs, which was an advantage in 2016. Fonréaud impresses with the quality of its juice, as do Lestage and Clarke. Moulis, always heterogeneous, nevertheless abounds with fine successes. Maucaillou and Mauvesin-Barton offer excellent value for money.

Château Fourcas Dupré - Listrac-Médoc - 2016

Floral, vibrant, spicy nose. Tension, slightly tight tannins, straightforwardness with a touch of austerity for the vintage. - 15,5/16,5

Château Lestage - Listrac-Médoc - 2016

Imposing oak/grain, but not heavy, with freshness. Fleshy, deep, juicy, sapid tannins with an imposing yet elegant finish. A very fine bottle. - 16,5/17,5

Château Clarke - Listrac-Médoc - 2016

Black fruit, greediness, some floral notes. Juicy, fresh, good length, freshness. - 16/17

Clos des Demoiselles - Listrac-Médoc - 2016

Floral, lovely woodiness, freshness. Well-established palate, elegant, greedy even if the density tends to go over the top at present. - 16/17

Château Ducluzeau - Listrac-Médoc - 2016

Beautiful nose of black fruits, charming, floral. Straight, taut palate, lovely bitters on the finish. Airy too. - 16/17

Château Fourcas Hostens - Listrac-Médoc - 2016

Spicy, black fruit nose for a juicy, velvety palate, real tension but without distorting the whole and a suave finish. Very charming. - 16/17

Château Fourcas-Borie - Listrac-Médoc - 2016

Floral, spicy, black fruit. Structured palate, substance, volume and a well-balanced yet tannic ensemble. - 16/17

Château Saransot-Dupré - Listrac-Médoc - 2016

Flowers and black fruits, enhanced by spices. Juicy, fleshy too, building tannins and a wine that expresses itself on the final freshness. Delicate oak, greedy too. - 16/17

Château Fonréaud - Listrac-Médoc - 2016

A beautiful, subtle and delicate nose with notes of black fruit, flowers too, spices, mocha. Fleshy and crisp, a beautiful expression of fruit with powerful yet elegant tannins. Airy finish. A very fine Fonréaud. - 16/17,5

Château Dutruch Grand Poujeaux - Moulis-en-Médoc - 2016

A slightly meaty, closed nose, shy at this stage. Woody tannins, a little greenness and a fairly pronounced bitterness on the finish. - 15/16

Château Chasse-Spleen - Moulis-en-Médoc - 2016

Spicy, vibrant, a big tannic load, tension and building tannins. - 15/16,5

Château Garricq (la) - Moulis-en-Médoc - 2016

Ripe black fruit, taut, fresh palate, volume with structure and velvety tannins. - 15/16,5

Château Lestage-Darquier - Moulis-en-Médoc - 2016

Nose of blueberry and blackcurrant, floral on aeration without complexity but with plenty of greed. Fruity on the palate too, fresh, balanced and alert. A pleasant wine. - 15/16,5

Château Mauvesin Barton - Moulis-en-Médoc - 2016

Fresh, floral with notes of iris and violet. Fresh and pleasant on the palate, with hints of blackcurrant leaf. - 15/16,5

Château Poujeaux - Moulis-en-Médoc - 2016

Fruity nose, well in place, slightly spicy. Juicy on the palate, a beautiful whole with greediness - 15/16.5

Château Anthonic - Moulis-en-Médoc - 2016

Fresh, fruity, gourmand, generosity, freshness, structuring tannins, in place. Greedy, fruity finish. - 16/17

Château Maucaillou - Moulis-en-Médoc - 2016

Floral, black fruit, hints of blackcurrant. Gourmet, juicy, very fruity on the palate for a wine that's all about indulgence. - 16/17