Saint-Emilion: primeurs 2016

The predominantly clay-limestone soils worked wonders in 2016, always cooler than the others, managing to limit excess summer heat while regulating water during the spring. And while the Merlot and Cabernet Franc are superb, the fact remains that the region's best terroirs magnify the wines by making the density of the palate velvety and suave. As usual, this region, because of the atomization of the properties, has its differences, but the overall level remains very high, and the wine-lover can make his selection almost with his eyes closed. In Saint-Émilion, however, we prefer the limestone terroirs of the plateau near the town center, with wines such as Soutard and Larmande, which are magnificent, or the Côte Pavie, with Tertre Roteboeuf in particular, which is exceptional, while not neglecting less warm terroirs such as Ausone or Pavie-Macquin, for example. For me, Canon is the benchmark of the vintage.

Château Simard - Saint-Emilion - 2016

Floral, a little shy at this stage despite the floral notes. Very nice touch on the palate due to the Cabernet Franc, with lovely bitters and an airy, long, taut finish. Very fine tannins. A little more austere for interesting ageing potential. - 16/17

Château Haut-Simard - Saint-Emilion - 2016

Floral nose, very fruity, beautiful, appetizing aromas. Round, juicy, almost mellow, with a delicate mouthfeel, a hallmark of the family, and floral freshness. Elegant and delicious. - 16/17,5

Château Lusseau - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru - 2016

Fresh, gourmand, blackcurrant, a beautiful expression of fruit. Woody and juicy, nicely floral. Very mocha on the finish. - 15/16,5

Château Rocher (du) - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru - 2016

Beautiful spices, black fruits, noble aspect. Balanced structure, slightly imposing tannins for the vintage, straight, airy finish. A fine, full-bodied wine. - 15/16,5

Clos de la Cure - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru - 2016

Pronounced but pleasant oak, fine, black fruit notes. Round and pleasant on the palate, with fine, velvety tannins. - 15/16,5

Château Ambe Tour Pourret - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru - 2016

Smoky, spicy nose, a little clove with smoky notes. Lively, full-bodied, taut, pleasant and airy on the finish. - 15/16,5

Château Croix de Bertinat Révélation - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru - 2016

Greedy, fruity nose of wild strawberries and blackberries. Pleasant palate, not too voluminous, but fruity and greedy. - 15/16,5

Château fleur de Lisse - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru - 2016

Quite floral on the nose, with lovely blueberry notes. Round and suave, the palate is well structured by building but fine, velvety tannins. Tension on the finish. A very successful first vintage. - 16/17+

Saintem - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru - 2016

Floral, cherry, very fine spices. Round, suave palate, lovely freshness with greediness. A beautiful tannic charge in delicacy. What a treat! - 16,5/17,5

Château Quintus Le Dragon de - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru - 2016

Floral, a touch of iris, hints of violets. Juicy, velvety on the palate with incredible presence for a second wine. Airy, velvety, sapid finish. A Dragon with more sparkle and depth than ever. - 16,5/17,5

Château Soutard-Cadet - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru - 2016

Fresh, very dynamic black fruit. Juicy, silky, very fresh, volume and a precision of grain that brings structure. A very fine bottle - 16.5/17.5

Château Martinet - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru - 2016

Coffee, mocha, beautiful spices, depth on the palate with freshness, feeling and harmony. The tannins stiffen slightly on the finish, which will give this wine medium cellaring potential. Ageing could give it the necessary patina to soften it a little. - 16,5+

Château Fonbel (de) - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru - 2016

Very iris-like nose, floral, elegant, juicy and greedy, very nice mouthfeel and real freshness on the finish. Superb airy structure. Superb value for money - 16/17

Clos des Baies - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru - 2016

Beautiful oak, slightly smoky nose, velvety, very nice ripeness compared to last year. Simply superb. - 16/17

Château Daugay - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru - 2016

Very floral and fresh. Black fruit, beautiful aromas. Juicy, mouth-filling, crisp. - 16/17

Château Roc de Boisseaux - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru - 2016

Fresh, greedy, very fine notes of cherry, strawberry, blueberry. Round and greedy on the palate, fine tannins with a structured, taut approach. Delicate and juicy. - 16/17

Château Quinault l'Enclos - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru - 2016

Violet, iris, rose, juicy mouthfeel, beautiful tannins, a taut mouthfeel, superb aromatic radiance. Structured tannins. - 16/17

Château Croix Cardinale - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru - 2016

Floral, iris, juicy, silky, mellow too with real freshness. Airy, tannic finish. -16/17

Château Harmonie - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru - 2016

Fresh, menthol, iris. Beautiful structure, greediness, building tannins. - 16/17

Château Grand Barrail Lamarzelle Figeac - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru - 2016

Fresh fruit, gourmandise, spicy notes. Juicy, tasty, a heavy tannic load with a straight, airy finish. - 16/17

Château Grand Corbin Manuel - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru - 2016

Fresh and fruity, with floral notes on aeration. Full-bodied, fresh and crisp. A pleasure wine with substance and good cellaring potential. - 16/17

Château Pindefleurs - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru - 2016

Deep, spicy nose, velvety mouthfeel, good chewiness, power with building tannins. A slightly closed Pindefleurs at this stage. - 16/17

Château Mangot - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru - 2016

Woody, black fruits and violets. Full, dense palate, lots of tannins for a relatively massive wine. Tight on the finish. - 16/17

Château Angélus Le Carillon d' - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru - 2016

Bursting with black fruits, flowers too. Subtle, almost sapid, with a magnificent velvety texture. A more mellow Carillon than usual but also more precise. Beautiful bitters. The best Carillon ever made. - 16/17,5+

Château Petit Val - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru - 2016

Fresh, inky, a little terroir cold with notes of iris, violet. Suave, velvety, very fine balance, pure, clean black fruit aromas. A very fine wine. - 16/18

Château Trianon - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru - 2016

Black fruit, toasty oak, elegance, velvety, suave for a sapid wine with structuring tannins. Round, mellow and elegant. - 16/18

Château Candale (de) - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru - 2016

Black fruit, flowers too. Fresh, juicy, crisp with the sensation of biting into a grape berry. Superb. - 16/18

Clos Dubreuil - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru - 2016

Imposing but fresh oak, black fruits and spices. The palate is sapid, with lovely juicy tannins, vigor and a long, fresh finish. A great success. - 16/18

Château Milens - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru - 2016

Floral, elegant, subtle on the nose. Smooth and velvety, with lovely woody/smoky notes and black fruit. Nothing protrudes, everything is subtle. Well done! - 16/18,5

Château La Tour du Pin Figeac - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru - 2016

Very floral, almost greedy, the nose exhales notes of black fruit, iris and flowers. Velvety, unctuous and fresh on the palate, with beautiful tannins. A real success. - 16/18,5

Château Grangey - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru - 2016

Very fruity nose, floral too, with dynamism and real energy. A touch of iris. Fresh and velvety, the palate is mellow, round and suave. Imposing but delicate oak. - 17

Château Poesia - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru - 2016

Reduce and iris, cherry, black fruit for a racy nose. Soft and round, with good acidity in the middle and generosity throughout. Airy finish. - 17

Château Petit Val Muse du Val - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru - 2016

Pronounced but pleasant woodiness, hints of iris, superb velvety texture, lovely structuring tannins and an overall near-perfect balance. Well done! - 17,5

Château Rol Valentin - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru - 2016

Floral, lilac, iris, a few notes of black fruit with very fine oak. Dense, thick tannic structure with velvety texture, precision and substance. Quite massive though - 17.5/18.5

Château Moulin Saint-Georges - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru - 2016

Floral, plum, blueberry, black fruit for a distinctive nose of gourmandise and iris notes. Velvety, juicy, soft and delicate, with an unctuous, suave and sapid palate. Absolutely superb elegance. Slight limestone tension on the finish. - 17/18

Château Cheval Blanc Le Petit Cheval - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru - 2016

A burst of flowers, rose, iris, peony. A spring meadow. Tense, great drinkability, radiance, airy mouthfeel, evanescent rose bouquet. Magnificent - 17/18

Clos Badon Thunevin - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru - 2016

Fresh nose, iris, a little ink, velvety, silky, elegant. Superb mouthfeel. Airy finish - 17/18

Château Valandraud Virginie de Valandraud - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru - 2016

Woody, liquorice, spicy too. Juicy and silky, a fine tannic charge, volume very well defined by a mouthfeel combining freshness and suavity. - 17/18

Château Balestard la Tonnelle - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru - 2016

Lively floral nose, lovely woodiness, velvety on the palate while retaining freshness, density and tannins. A success. - 17/18

Château Ausone Chapelle d' - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru - 2016

Fresh, slightly mentholated, black fruits. Velvety, slightly taut Cabernet on the palate, with tannins that squeeze a little but remain beautifully elegant. Superb Chapelle with impressive density. - 17/18,5

Château Bellevue - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru - 2016

Very iris nose, violet, blueberry on the nose. Juicy on the palate, a cooler terroir with slightly austere tannins, more structuring and tighter than the other wines in the family. Great ageing potential. - 17/18,5

Château Quintus - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru - 2016

Violet, a little iris, some graphite notes. Straight and velvety on the palate, a beautiful taffeta feel with juicy, harmonious tannins. Magnificent tension. Superb Quintus. - 17/18,5

Château Mangot Todeschini - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru - 2016

Blackberry, blueberry and oak on a complex, powerful nose. Velvety, with tension too, for a significant tannic load, perfectly mastered, but still a little austere at this stage. A great wine in the making. - 17/18,5

Château Bellevue Mondotte - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru - 2016

Floral, delicate, fruity nose. What elegance. Suave, almost creamy, very fine tannic charge with impressive precision in the tannins and magnificent length. Superb final freshness. One of Bellevue Mondotte's finest. - 17/19

Château Tertre Roteboeuf - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru - 2016

Woody/grilled, fireplace hearth, mocha, violets, lilac, iris. Juicy, greedy palate, very velvety, complete and complex, substance, juicy tannins. The most complete and impressive Tertre Roteboeuf I've ever tasted. Assumed greediness, lots of freshness. Big tannic charge, but fresh and elegant. - 18/19,5

Château Faugères - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classé - 2016

Beautiful oak, depth on the nose. Black fruit and flowers. Volume, greediness, a wine much less dense and woody than usual. - 16,5/17,5

Château Guadet - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classé - 2016

A little coffee, blackcurrant leaf, superb velvety entry, precision, fine tannin management. - 16,5/17,5

Château Cap de Mourlin - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classé - 2016

Spicy nose, a little iris too. Velvety, suave, a significant tannic charge, volume. Matter for a well-made, well-realized wine. - 16,5/17,5

Château Larmande - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classé - 2016

Iris, floral, beautiful black fruits. Fleshy, lovely juiciness, power, volume. Long, airy finish. A subtle, delicate wine. - 16,5/17,5

Château Grand Corbin - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classé - 2016

Closed and shy on the nose. Juicy and fleshy on the palate, with well-structured tannins, this is a fine wine that will develop a gentle patina with age. Good potential. - 16/17

Château Berliquet - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classé - 2016

Black fruits, beautiful harmony of fruits. A hint of menthol. Suave, almost sapid, building tannins, density and superb length. - 16/17

Château Moulin du Cadet - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classé - 2016

Fruity, plummy, spicy, a little menthol. Juicy mouthfeel, good volume, freshness. - 16/17

Château Villemaurine - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classé - 2016

Woody, almost toasted nose. Fleshy, density, volume. A little massive though. - 16/17

Château La Serre - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classé - 2016

Smoky, woody nose, black fruits too. Round, mellow on the palate, with structuring tannins, a well-built whole. - 16/17,5

Château Dassault - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classé - 2016

Floral, a little violet, some touches of iris. Juicy, velvety, fleshy too. Well-structured tannins. Well-balanced overall. One of the most accomplished vintages of this vintage. - 16/17,5

Château Franc Mayne - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classé - 2016

Notes of iris, black fruit, a little spice. Dense on the palate, heavy tannic charge with power and length. - 16/17,5

Château Larmande - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classé - 2016

Iris, floral, beautiful black fruits. Fleshy, beautiful juiciness, power, volume. Long, airy finish. A subtle, delicate wine . - 16/18

Château Péby Faugères - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classé - 2016

Blackcurrant and blueberry on the nose, very floral on aeration. Roundness, power too, with dense tannins and a whole that will have to melt and find its place. - 16/18

Château Monbousquet - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classé - 2016

Spicy, slightly smoky, notes of mocha with beautiful black fruits. Creamy, suave too, with freshness and a very nice burst of black fruit. - 17,5/18,5

Château Barde-Haut - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classé - 2016

Slightly closed but complex, deep nose. Well-balanced tannins, velvety, fleshy, elegant, full-bodied. Gone are the days when Barde-Haut wanted to impose, replaced by finesse and precision. - 17/18

Château Fleur Cardinale - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classé - 2016

Pink, black fruit, very fine ripe grapes. Juicy, heavy tannic charge, fresh and pulpy. - 17/18

Château Sansonnet - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classé - 2016

Fresh, fruity, plum, violet a little. Juicy, round on the palate, upright and massive. A very fine bottle. Superb value for money. - 17/18

Château Grand Mayne - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classé - 2016

Smoky, woody, complex nose, also fruity. Volume, substance and overall freshness for a full-bodied wine, both elegant and dense. - 17/18

Château La Tour Figeac - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classé - 2016

Fresh nose, fruity too, full of greediness. Beautifully velvety, fleshy, long and straightforward. - 17/18

Clos de l'Oratoire - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classé - 2016

Flowers and black fruits. Velvety, juicy, chewy, full-bodied. Big tannic charge with drive, mass without losing elegance. - 17/18

Château Soutard - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classé - 2016

Slightly closed nose. Beautiful black fruits. Delicate, tight mouthfeel, magnificent subtlety with the tension of limestone, the beauty of a delicate mouthfeel. Bravo ! - 17/18,5

Château Fonplégade - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classé - 2016

Beautiful notes of blackberry, blueberry, spicy too, freshness, very fine structure, velvety despite a fairly high tannic load. Beautiful bitters on the finish, giving it extra soul. The most accomplished Fonplégade. The reward for hard work. - 17/18,5

Château La Dominique - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classé - 2016

Beautiful spicy nose, black fruits, with a few touches of graphite too. Straightforward, elegant palate, very fine tannic structure with purity and finesse. Full of freshness, clean, with an airy finish. - 17/18,5

Château La Marzelle - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classé - 2016

Beautiful nose of black fruits, freshness, freshness. Silky, velvety, superb delicate touch on the palate with great density and depth. - 17/18,5

Château Pavie Decesse - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classé - 2016

Nose of iris, a little reduced, floral notes. Suave, velvety, heavy tannic charge without losing its velvety quality. The limestone terroir pushes through to the finish. What length. - 17/18,5

Château Couspaude (la) - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classé - 2016

Fresh, greedy nose, black fruits too. Velvety, sapid, beautiful structure, movement, length. Delicate and fresh. - 17/18,5

Château Fonroque - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classé - 2016

Subtle, complex nose, full of black fruit and purity. Mellow, round and taut on the palate. Beautiful acidity. Elegant. An aesthete's wine. - 17/19

Château La Clotte - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classé - 2016

A hint of smoke, plums, black fruits, superb maturity. Fresh, generous, superb velvety mouthfeel with slight tension, noble tannins, great class. What a job done on this estate. A great wine in the making. Hurry up! - 18/19

Clos Fourtet - Saint-Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classé - 2016

Black fruit, quite floral, velvety too. Juicy and fleshy, substance, a beautiful grain of black fruit with a finish on length, length, length.... - 17,5/18,5

Château La Gaffelière - Saint-Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classé - 2016

Floral, fresh, complex with a charming, vibrant edge. Not the densest, but very precise fruit, movement, elegance. Beautiful balance. An esthete's wine, racy. Very interesting to taste in the future. - 17/18,5

Château Beau-Séjour Bécot - Saint-Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classé - 2016

Toasty, woody, a little toasted, with a beautiful fruity structure. Juicy, lovely crunch, elegance, volume, mellowness, a very fine example of the vintage. - 17/18,5

Château Angélus - Saint-Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classé - 2016

Iris, violet, very floral with beautiful purity of black fruit. Super-juicy entry, heavy tannic charge but velvety, great ageing potential, magnificent precision of structure. Long macerations for a wine of perfect energizing tension. - 17/19,5

Château Larcis Ducasse - Saint-Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classé - 2016

Black fruit, a little floral, hints of menthol too. Juicy mouthfeel, taut, a little strict with a long, long, long finish. Superb mouthfeel. An incredibly precise Larcis. - 18/19

Château Valandraud - Saint-Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classé - 2016

Beautiful oak, almost toasty, juicy and deep, volume, beautiful silky tannins for a muscular structure. A vibrant, full, straightforward, racy Valandraud. Will melt beautifully with age. - 18/19

Château Canon-La-Gaffelière - Saint-Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classé - 2016

Spicy, a little liquorice, menthol. Velvety, sapid, very fine structure with freshness and menthol notes. - 18/19

Château Trotte Vieille - Saint-Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classé - 2016

Reduced nose, notes of ink and iris. Velvety fleshiness, heavy tannic charge but remains well in place, notes of blackcurrant leaf and magnificent length. One of the most precise ever made. - 18/19

Château Bélair-Monange - Saint-Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classé - 2016

Violet, floral, lightly wooded. Velvety, taut mouthfeel, a lovely chalky framework thanks to fine, precise grain and lovely acidity. Superb airy length. Great class - 18/19

Château Figeac - Saint-Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classé - 2016

Blackberry, blueberry, beautiful nose of fresh fruit. Purity and classicism. Juicy, very fine mouthfeel, superb, greediness while devoting volume to delicacy. Airy finish and superb tannins. A Figeac of great class, surely an achievement. - 18/19,5

Château Beauséjour-Héritiers Duffau-Lagarosse - Saint-Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classé - 2016

Cherry, plum, blueberry with freshness and aromatic precision. Great density but a purity of mouthfeel and grain that is simply fabulous. Long and airy finish. Superb. What subtlety in the power. - 18/19,5

Château Pavie - Saint-Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classé - 2016

A little mocha, coffee notes, smooth and creamy. Smooth too. Extremely velvety and precise. When Pavie gains in elegance, we're on the verge of perfection right from the primeurs. - 18/19,5

La Mondotte - Saint-Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classé - 2016

Very complex nose of spices and black fruit. Juicy and dense on the palate, with plenty of substance and building tannins, but all wrapped up in a magnificent velvety, fleshy texture. The impression of density in silk. Magnificent acidity, especially on the finish. - 18/19,5

Château Pavie Macquin - Saint-Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classé - 2016

Floral, blueberry, superb fresh nose. Delicate, subtle, precise mouthfeel with freshness, powerful elegance. Already satin with laser-precision tannins. - 18/19,5

Château Canon - Saint-Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classé - 2016

Superb black fruit nose, racy and elegant. Magical, velvety, precise tannins, a balanced, subtle, precise palate. A beautifully bitter, perfectly constructed finish. What cellaring potential for a wine of legendary elegance. - 18/20

Château Ausone - Saint-Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classé - 2016

Slightly irisy, superb freshness, very floral on the juicy, mellow, round palate, with real tension, superb tannins and real density. Not demonstrative, fresher than last year, but what power, what generosity in elegance. What magnificent Cabernet Franc. - 18/20

Château Cheval Blanc - Saint-Emilion Premier Grand Cru Classé - 2016

Raspberry, flowers too with hints of licorice, a little graphite. Menthol on aeration. Beautiful taffeta mouthfeel, both juicy and crisp, well in place with a high tannic load but silky structure. A Cheval Blanc of impressive delicacy and breed. An intelligent dandy. - 18/20