Satellites of Saint-Emilion: primeurs 2016

The best terroirs have come out on top. The satellites contain some very fine bottles, ideal for connoisseurs looking for value for money while hoping for ageing potential. No single appellation is to be preferred, as human intervention appears to be the differentiating factor here.

Château La Rose Perrière - Lussac Saint-Emilion - 2016

Slightly coffee, mocha, beautiful black fruits. Straightforward palate, fleshy, structuring tannins. Beautiful ensemble with interesting ageing potential. - 15/17

Château Bel-Air Jean Gabriel - Lussac Saint-Emilion - 2016

Black fruits, spices, also a little smoky. Juicy, fruity palate, fine tannins with a certain firmness on the finish. - 16/17

Château Claymore (la) - Lussac Saint-Emilion - 2016

Luscious, floral nose with a lovely spicy framework. Smooth and round, velvety and fruity. A pleasure wine, a fine Lussac. - 16/17,5

Domaine Simon Blanchard Au champ de la Fenêtre - Montagne Saint-Emilion - 2016

Crisp, greedy, very fine expression of fruit with controlled acidity. A gourmet ensemble. - 15,5/16,5

Château Clos de Boüard La dame de Boüard - Montagne Saint-Emilion - 2016

Closed nose, with hints of violets and floral notes. Velvety and fleshy, lovely juiciness, a more than reasonable package for a second wine. -15/16

Château Roc de Calon - Montagne Saint-Emilion - 2016

Reduced nose, a little iris, slightly malic. Well-established palate, substance, extraction too, with structuring tannins. Needs ageing to soften. - 15/17

Château Calon - Montagne Saint-Emilion - 2016

Floral and fruity, energetic and vibrant. Juicy on the palate, deliciously aromatic, with finesse and elegance. A wine that stands out for its gourmand and subtle side, but which remains a real pleasure. Old-fashioned style. - 15/17,5

Château La Courolle - Montagne Saint-Emilion - 2016

A closed, very shy nose, followed by a juicy, well-established palate, with energy and structuring tannins for a well-balanced, well-made whole. - 15/17,5

Château La Picherie - Montagne Saint-Emilion - 2016

Inky, smoky, beautiful black fruits for a complex nose. Juicy and velvety, dense but masterful, elegant and fine. - 15/17,5

Château Clos de Boüard - Montagne Saint-Emilion - 2016

The nose is still shy, but shows real complexity. Juicy, fresh, very fine tannins with superb mellowness and fleshiness. Airy finish. Superb first harvest. - 16/17

Château L'Envie - Montagne Saint-Emilion - 2016

Lively, dynamic nose of black fruit. Taut, straightforward palate with fine overall dynamics. - 16/17

Château Tour Bayard - Montagne Saint-Emilion - 2016

Very floral, elegant, hints of blackberries. Medium-density palate, good structure, tannins that lengthen on the finish. - 16/17

Vieux Château Palon - Montagne Saint-Emilion - 2016

Mocha, spices, very black fruits for an elegant nose. Blackcurrant and violet on aeration. Suave, velvety mouthfeel, despite a little extraction and tannins that tighten on the finish. - 16/17

Domaine Simon Blanchard Guitard - Montagne Saint-Emilion - 2016

Floral, a little closed, still shy at this stage. Dense, concentrated palate, more straight than broad, a very fine expression of Cabernet. Another great success. Airy as hell - 16/18

Château Vaisinerie (la) - Puisseguin Saint-Emilion - 2016

Ripe, a little coffee, iris. The palate is balanced, juicy, fresh with structuring tannins. A well-made whole. - 15/16

Château Vaisinerie (la) Quercus - Puisseguin Saint-Emilion - 2016

Elegant, spicy nose. Nice grip of wood. Velvety with good flesh, juicy overall, structuring tannins. - 15/16,5

Château Haut-Bernat Les Cyprès - Puisseguin Saint-Emilion - 2016

A very spicy nose, beautifully woody, complex and dense. Volume, substance, powerful but controlled extractions. A muscular wine with an elegant silhouette. - 16/17

Château La Mauriane - Puisseguin Saint-Emilion - 2016

Notes of spice and black fruit, a slightly delicate touch of wood, movement and assertive tension. A little tight on the finish, but the whole is pleasant and well-made. - 16/17

Château Clarisse Vieilles Vignes - Puisseguin Saint-Emilion - 2016

Lovely nose of black fruits, spices, a little graphite. Juicy, sapid on the palate with a detailed, taut structure. Chewy, full-bodied and velvety. A fine bottle. - 16/17,5

Château Guibot - Puisseguin Saint-Emilion - 2016

Fruity nose, beautiful environment, dynamic. Juicy on entry, then structuring tannins, freshness. Long, woody finish. - 16/17,5

Château Lanbersac - Puisseguin Saint-Emilion - 2016

Coffee, a little reduced, floral notes. Mouth in place, structuring tannins, a well-built whole, correct. - 16/17,5

Château Cap Saint-George - Saint-Georges Saint-Emilion - 2016

Black fruit, also very floral. Freshness, vibrancy with good tension, straightforwardness. On the sweet side. - 15,5/16,5

Château Calon - Saint-Georges Saint-Emilion - 2016

Notes of plum, flowers (rose), beautiful black fruit. Velvety, sapid, elegant too, with lovely bitters on the finish. An old-fashioned, slightly dandy style. A wine for pleasure. - 16/17,5

Clos Albertus - Saint-Georges Saint-Emilion - 2016

Smoky, a little peppery, spicy, with a juicy, savory entry on the palate, structuring tannins, volume. Deep, elegant yet fresh. - 16/17,5