NEWS
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Elles and Beaujolais
In the Beaujolais region, optimism was not at its peak at the start of the harvest. In May and June, devastating storms battered the region, damaging entire appellations and destroying almost 100% of vines. In the face of this, farmers' solidarity is being organized.
NEWS
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Elles and Beaujolais
In the Beaujolais region, optimism was not at its peak at the start of the harvest. In May and June, devastating storms battered the region, damaging entire appellations and destroying almost 100% of vines. In the face of this, farmers' solidarity is being organized.
NEWS
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The Wine Tour in Paris
The Gault&Millau Wine Tour, designed to bring together all those involved in wine and cuisine, is coming to Paris on October 09 for the final date of its 2017 tour. Trophy awards, networking and gourmet tastings are on the agenda for this not-to-be-missed event!
Competition, 7 French chefs win the Bocuse d'Or
In the space of thirty years, no fewer than 15 international chefs have won the great Bocuse d'Or culinary competition. Among them, seven French chefs have stood out thanks to their creativity, perseverance and genius. Let's take a closer look at these extraordinary personalities. By Clémence Rouyer - © Bocuse d'Or
Historically low" production for 2017
Traditionally, the first wine production estimates from Agreste, a website of the French Ministry of Agriculture, are published in July, and this year's findings are very interesting.
At between 37 and 38 million hectolitres, the harvest could be down almost 17% on the 2016 vintage and almost 16% on the 2011-2015 period.
The spring frost, which affected Bordeaux, Alsace, Cognac and Jura, resulted in very significant yield losses, higher in some places than the terrible 1991 vintage.
However, a very warm late spring, rainy spells and favorable weather brought the phenological cycle forward by 10 to 20 days. And even if water reserves are deficient in some basins, such as Alsace, South-East France and Corsica, this vintage is shaping up well in terms of quality.
InChampagne, damage caused by spring frost is less severe than last year, and disease pressure is low. As a result, the vineyard is 10 days ahead of schedule and production is forecast to rise by 8%.
InBurgundy and Beaujolais, although frost affected the Cluny and Chablis vineyards, flowering went well. A forecast increase of around 14% is on the cards. In Beaujolais, forecasts do not take into account the hailstorms of recent days.
InAlsace, frost has severely affected production. An anticipated drop of 30% compared with 2016 is cited, with the aggravating factor of coulure on early-ripening grape varieties such as Gewurztraminer, as well as a few cases of coulure on Riesling.
In Bordeaux, production will be severely affected by the April frost. Even though vegetation is 2 to 3 weeks ahead of schedule, yields are expected to drop by around 18%.
In the Loire Valley, the frost affected the vineyards in a very scattered manner, and conditions can vary from one village to the next, sometimes from one row of vines to the next. Production is expected to rise by 7%.
In the Rhône Valley, although frosts are to be deplored in the Ardèche and the north of the region, the main factor reducing yields will be "coulure" on the Grenache grape variety. A drop of 6% compared to 2016 is cited.
In the South-East, frost and hail damaged some plots, but in a heterogeneous manner. However, the water deficit is marked and could lead to a drop in production of around 10%.
Finally, in Corsica, the increase in surface area will enable production to be maintained despite some frost episodes. Vegetation is a week ahead of schedule.
A look back at the Alsace leg of the Gault&Millau Wine Tour
In line with Gault&Millau's constantly reaffirmed commitment to bringing together all those involved in gastronomy, the Wine Tour brings together the region's top chefs, passionate sommeliers and wine merchants, and of course the French winemakers who best symbolize the region's wine production.
10 Gault&Millau Young Talents talk gastronomy with Emmanuel Macron
At the initiative of Côme de Chérisey, Managing Director of Gault&Millau, Minister Emmanuel Macron last night welcomed 10 young chefs, all winners of our Dotation pour les Jeunes Talents, for a working dinner on the conditions for successful entrepreneurship in the restaurant industry.
Gault&Millau Young Talents Evening
On June 22 at 7pm, in the majestic Opéra lounge of the Inter Continental Paris-Le Grand hotel, 5 young G&M talents will be cooking up a gala evening!
3 questions to Agathe Senoble.
She joined the family saga at the age of 26. Her goal? To create exceptional pastries!
Primeurs Bordeaux
A look back at a singular and special 2016 vintage that requires much more than a few words to understand. All our notes.
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 - 2016Slightly 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 - 2016Black 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 - 2016Luscious, 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 - 2016Crisp, 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 - 2016Closed 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 - 2016Reduced 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 - 2016Floral 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 - 2016A 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 - 2016Inky, 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 - 2016The 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 - 2016Lively, dynamic nose of black fruit. Taut, straightforward palate with fine overall dynamics. - 16/17 Château Tour Bayard - Montagne Saint-Emilion - 2016Very floral, elegant, hints of blackberries. Medium-density palate, good structure, tannins that lengthen on the finish. - 16/17 Vieux Château Palon - Montagne Saint-Emilion - 2016Mocha, 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 - 2016Floral, 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 - 2016Ripe, 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 - 2016Elegant, 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 - 2016A 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 - 2016Notes 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 - 2016Lovely 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 - 2016Fruity nose, beautiful environment, dynamic. Juicy on entry, then structuring tannins, freshness. Long, woody finish. - 16/17,5 Château Lanbersac - Puisseguin Saint-Emilion - 2016Coffee, 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 - 2016Black fruit, also very floral. Freshness, vibrancy with good tension, straightforwardness. On the sweet side. - 15,5/16,5 Château Calon - Saint-Georges Saint-Emilion - 2016Notes 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
Margaux : primeurs 2016
In 2015, despite the media hype surrounding this appellation, we thought it best to keep calm. Pre-bottling tastings last March at Millésima proved us right. On the other hand, this year's vintage is more homogeneous, even if the appellation is not the most impressive in the Médoc. The differences in terroir are greater than in the Médoc's other communal appellations, and it shows. Nevertheless, the elegance of Margaux is present, and some of the wines are simply exceptional. Palmer is magnificent, Château Margaux tauter than ever, Rauzan-Ségla is coming back to life, while many others offer wines of real interest (I'm thinking in particular of Durfort-Vivens).Château Angludet - Margaux - 2016Smoky, a little graphite. Fresh on the palate, not very dense but fruity, well established - 15/16 Château Issan (d') Blason - Margaux - 2016Reduced, floral too, an elegant, fleshy, fruity whole. Tart notes, assertive tension. A fine ensemble. - 15/16,5 Château Mille Roses - Margaux - 2016Spices, licorice, noble vegetal notes. Beautiful balance, volume in elegance with fleshiness, power, building tannins. The wood is present, but the ageing will give it a patina. - 15/16,5 Château Monbrison - Margaux - 2016Blackcurrant and blackberry on the nose, balanced but moderately dense for the vintage. - 15/16,5 Château Gurgue (la) - Margaux - 2016Slightly inky, fruity, slightly creamy with a slightly dry finish. Well-balanced. - 16,5/17 Château Chantelune - Margaux - 2016Dynamic, floral nose, well in place with good ripeness. Suave, sapid too, quite modern even if one senses the precision of the gesture, the cultivation of a garden. Well done. - 16/17 Château Desmirail - Margaux - 2016Toasty, toasted oak. Fleshy and pleasant on the palate, no great density but elegant balance - 16/17 Château Galiane (la) - Margaux - 2016Floral, beautiful aromatic structure, round, good juice and finesse. Not the densest, but still elegant. - 16/17 Château Malescot St Exupéry - Margaux - 2016Nose of iris and violets, rather reduced. Juicy on the palate, but tension in the middle and tannins that squeeze a little. - 16/17 Château Malleret (de) Le Margaux du - Margaux - 2016Red fruit and floral, greedy. Very nice mouthfeel, elegant, fine, greediness on the palate too. Airy, fruity finish. A pleasure. - 16/17 Château Rauzan-Gassies - Margaux - 2016Blackcurrant and ripe fruit on the nose. High tannin content, straightforward yet fresh. - 16/17 Château Tertre (du) - Margaux - 2016Black fruit, a little blackcurrant, blackcurrant leaf. Fruity, well-established, charming palate with velvety tannins, a suave entry. - 16/17 Château Bessane (la) - Margaux - 2016Very floral nose, beautiful expression of ripe black fruit. Beautiful fleshiness, acidity too, which tautens the whole for a fresh, lingering finish. A fairly vertical wine that offers beautiful precision of grain. A real success. - 16/17,5Château Durfort-Vivens - Margaux - 2016Slightly reduced nose. Charming, velvety mouthfeel, well in place with structured, velvety tannins. A beautifully balanced wine. - 16/17,5Château Cantenac Brown - Margaux - 2016Smoky nose, almost graphite, a little iris. Round and suave, with a tannic presence but in harmony and balance. - 16/17,5 Château Confidence de Margaux - Margaux - 2016Toasty, slightly woody, almost smoky nose. Fresh, juicy, crisp on the palate, with a fine tannic structure on the long finish. Beautiful definition of grain, a wine denser than it appears. Fresh finish. A great success. - 16/17,5 Château Dauzac - Margaux - 2016Lively, in place, charming nose with floral notes and elegant oak. Fresh and suave, juicy, well-placed, building tannins that add length. - 16/17,5 Château Ferrière - Margaux - 2016Imposing oak. Black fruits and spices. The palate is suave, full-bodied and dense, yet elegant and velvety. - 16/17,5 Château Giscours - Margaux - 2016Fresh fruit, greediness. Fresh, dense for a margaux with even, high-quality tannins. - 16/17,5 Château Kirwan - Margaux - 2016Nose of violets, iris, a little woody. Suave and velvety, with round, sapid tannins. A charming Kirwan. - 16/17,5 Château Labégorce - Margaux - 2016Gourmet, with a beautiful expression of fresh fruit. Juicy, tasty, full-bodied and long on the fruit. A charming Labégorce. - 16/17,5 Château Cambon la Pelouse L'aura de Cambon - Margaux - 2016Although closed and shy, the nose reveals notes of black fruit and beautiful maturity. Straightforward, juicy attack, with a round, velvety feel and structured body. A fine overall impression, with ageing playing a key role. - 16/17+ Château Brane-Cantenac - Margaux - 2016Smoky, spicy, almost peppery. Juicy, harmonious palate, a little mulberry leafy with structured but velvety tannins. A great success. - 16/18 Château Lascombes - Margaux - 2016Slightly closed nose of violets and iris. Juicy, unctuous and sapid on the palate, with freshness, movement and tension. - 16/18 Château Margaux Pavillon Rouge - Margaux - 2016Superb floral nose, blackcurrant, blackberry, full of finesse and vigor. Round and airy on the palate, beautifully aromatic with exceptional fruitiness and acidity that supports the whole. Purity and precision for a Pavillon Rouge that plays on the fresh, gourmet register. - 16/18 Château Marquis de Terme - Margaux - 2016Slightly sulphurous nose, iris, floral too. Tannic mouthfeel, density and volume for a wine that's rather massive in Margaux but very well balanced. - 16/18 Château Prieuré-Lichine - Margaux - 2016Smooth, velvety and charming on the palate, with building but elegant tannins. - 16/18 Château Siran - Margaux - 2016Blackcurrant, a little iris. Charming, velvety and juicy on the palate, sapidity and structuring yet charming tannins. - 16/18 Château Tayac - Margaux - 2016Floral nose, iris, a little violet with real complexity. Mouth with chewiness, volume, a very modern aspect, a little at odds with the appellation. However, it remains very beautiful. - 16/18 Château Tayac Or Norme - Margaux - 2016A very fruity (strawberry, blackberry) and floral (violet) nose. Complex too. Volume, a velvety, dense structure, of course, massive and full-bodied. A wine to impress and demonstrate. - 16/18 Château Palmer Alter Ego - Margaux - 2016Blackcurrant, blackberry, very pure black fruit on the nose. Beautiful acidity, tension while retaining the juicy, fresh, direct side. A sparkling Alter Ego with superb sophistication on the tannins. - 17/18 Château Issan (d') - Margaux - 2016Floral nose, iris, a little ink too. Unctuous, fleshy mouthfeel with precise, dense, juicy tannins, freshness and a long finish - 17/18.5 Château Rauzan-Ségla - Margaux - 2016Graphite and black fruit on the nose, with purity and freshness. Juicy, velvety, unctuous on the palate, with straightness and tension. Fresh and precise. - 17/18,5 Château Margaux - Margaux - 2016Very nice freshness, slightly mentholated, black fruit aromas particularly precise and just right. Beautiful structure, very juicy, superb flesh, classy tannins. I don't remember tasting such a delicate and subtle Château Margaux en primeur. How horrible it is to have to spit! - 18/19+ Château Palmer - Margaux - 2016A smoky, liquorice, black fruit nose, very complex. Magnificent mouthfeel, crystal-clear purity and structure, heavy tannic charge but with elegance, precision and a taffeta feel. A Palmer with the verticality of an exceptional vintage. Simply superb. Airy, long, infinite finish - 18/20
Pauillac and Saint-Estèphe: primeurs 2016
In their traditional versions, Pauillac wines always offer a more pronounced density and austerity. But in 2016, thanks to the efforts of many winemakers and the quality of the vintage, Pauillac wines rival each other in fruitiness and density, but with a velvety smoothness and charm that are quite rare in primeur wines. In fact, there's a plethora of choice. Latour is charming, Pichon Baron is mature, Lafite-Rothschild has a new, silkier string to its bow, thanks to Eric Kohler, and Mouton Rothschild is splendid. And let's not forget Pontet-Canet and its magical precision. One "little one" has my preference: Tour Sieujan. But hush, I haven't told you.2016 is another year for Saint-Estèphe. For three years now, the northern Médoc has been offering more charming wines, full of flesh and density without being too austere, a recurring fault here. So in 2016, we're not choosing, we're buying whatever we can find. But just for fun, here's our selection.Château Bellegrave - Pauillac - 2016Woody, licorice nose, a little modern at first taste. Round, mellow palate, tannins a little over-extracted for my taste. - 15/16,5 Château Latour Le Pauillac - Pauillac - 2016Floral, greedy, also very fruity for a greedy nose. Tight mouthfeel, greedy acidity, length. - 15/16,5 Château Bellevue-Cardon - Pauillac - 2016French rose, a little rose powder too with hints of mocha. Juicy and sapid, energy, freshness and an interesting length that's more structuring than gourmand. -15/17 Château Lynch-Bages Echo - Pauillac - 2016Toasty/smoky, juicy, velvety, with a beautiful tannic structure and very good acidity management. A very fine second wine - 15/17 Château Batailley - Pauillac - 2016Lively, vibrant, slightly acidic nose. Juicy, velvety entry with full, structuring tannins and no harshness. - 16/17 Château Clerc Milon Pastourelle de - Pauillac - 2016Floral, iris nose. Crisp and velvety, with good tension and fine tannins. Elegant and crisp yet dense. - 16/17 Château Croizet-Bages - Pauillac - 2016Graphite and fresh fruit on the nose. Greedy, fruity palate with length and charm. - 16/17 Domaine Les Sadons - Pauillac - 2016Lilac, a touch of French rose, with bite and good substance, yet elegant. Quite modern. - 16/17 Château Lynch-Moussas - Pauillac - 2016Fresh fruit, floral notes too, for a charming nose. Velvety, unctuous and fresh on the palate, with a slight tension that brings an airy finish. - 16/17 Château Pichon Baron Les Tourelles de Longueville - Pauillac - 2016Spicy, black fruit, lovely complexity. The palate is juicy, straightforward, taut with Cabernet Franc. Airy, minty finish. - 16/17 Château Latour Les Forts de Latour - Pauillac - 2016Spicy, lovely woodiness, blueberry, juicy mouthfeel, very good depth, tannic structure with length and straightness, fleshy finish. A very fine bottle. - 16/17,5 Château Pibran - Pauillac - 2016Notes of spice, a little pepper, greediness on the palate, a beautiful ensemble full of fruit. Fresh finish. - 16/17,5 Château Pichon Baron Les Griffons de - Pauillac - 2016Spicy, black fruit, very well-defined complexity. Juicy, sapid palate, beautiful expression of fruit with freshness and precision. Superb delicacy with crispness. - 16/17,5 Château Grand-Puy Ducasse - Pauillac - 2016Nose of flowers, fresh fruit. Suave, devilishly charming, fresh too with velvety, fine, delicate tannins. - 16/18 Château Tour Sieujan - Pauillac - 2016Juicy, suave with structuring yet refined, elegant tannins. A massive wine, certainly, with real ageing potential, tasty bitterness and a massive, velvety finish. Well done! - 16/18 Château Duhart-Milon - Pauillac - 2016Slight hint of graphite, smokiness (typical of Duhart), beautiful black fruits. Taut but unctuous on the palate, very fine grain with a high tannic load but acidity that sustains the whole in a juicy, almost crisp version. A Duhart that loses its austerity for a charming side. - 17/18 Château Mouton Rothschild Le Petit Mouton de - Pauillac - 2016Black fruit, blackcurrant, blueberry. Taut, juicy, crisp palate with cabernets that think they're merlots and merlots that think they're cabernets. A fresh, crisp Petit Mouton with juicy tannins. No longer a second wine at this stage - 17/18 Château Pédesclaux - Pauillac - 2016Pink, ripe, fruity, fleshy, volume, tension too with a fairly high tannic load. Precise, taut, fleshy finish, superb tannins. - 17/18 Château Armailhac (d') - Pauillac - 2016Black fruit, floral too, with a greedy, open nose for Armailhac. Straightforward, taut palate, very good acidity with remarkable freshness and greediness. A singular d'Armailhac as it is very dense. - 17/18,5 Château Clerc Milon - Pauillac - 2016Mocha, blueberry, blackcurrant, greedy, inviting. Great density, juicy, gourmet for a wine that was austere by birth, it's an opener to the world. A real challenger to Pauillac. Long on the palate. - 17/18,5 Château Lafite Rothschild Carruades de Lafite - Pauillac - 2016Fresh, slightly mentholated nose, beautiful black fruits on the nose. A greedy, fruity, almost fleshy entry with a taut ensemble, straightforwardness, a little rectitude with airy tannins, a salivating finish. Merlot freshness and roundness. A very fine Carruades that will go down in history. Quite a change of style. - 17/18,5 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande - Pauillac - 2016Spices, black fruits, floral too. Velvety, mellow, superb tannins with substance, volume. A great Pichon Lalande, full of density and assertiveness. - 17/18,5 Château Pichon Baron - Pauillac - 2016Lovely, fresh nose of mentholated, ripe black fruit. Juicy palate, superb balance, density, juicy tannins, long, long, long finish, and fresh, fresh, fresh. - 17/19 Château Lynch-Bages - Pauillac - 2016Smoky, spicy, very complex fruit with a real minty freshness. Volume, juicy tannins, a wine with length and delicacy. - 18/19,5 Château Lafite Rothschild - Pauillac - 2016Licorice, a little smoky, beautiful black fruit nose. Noble spices. Juicy, deep, very Lafite but less austere, with superb vivacity, freshness and tension. Significant tannic charge and polished tannins that structure the whole in true harmony. - 18/20 Château Latour - Pauillac - 2016Very floral, spicy, with a nice touch of wood, lots of substance but with an emphasis on elegance. High tannic load with superb tannin quality for a Latour that is both powerful and caressing. Hélène Génin's touch adds magnificent subtlety and elegance. - 18/20 Château Mouton Rothschild - Pauillac - 2016Smoky, graphite, ripe, crunchy black fruit, greediness too. Mouthfeel of satin, taffeta with magnificent length, freshness, movement. Assertive satin, what density. - 18/20 Château Pontet-Canet - Pauillac - 2016Very black fruit on the nose, floral too, with a lovely expression of rose and iris. Velvety mouthfeel, very fine tannins, volume, sapidity, roundness and juicy Cabernets. Airy, slightly smoky finish. Absolutely superb. - 18/20 Château Andron Blanquet - Saint-Estèphe - 2016Slightly closed nose, still timid at this stage. Pronounced oak, volume, slightly hard, structuring tannins. Slight Saint-Estèphe austerity. - 15/16 Château Cos Labory - Saint-Estèphe - 2016Fruity and floral. Movement, acid notes, juice and tannins that squeeze a little - 15/16 Château Domeyne - Saint-Estèphe - 2016Luscious, beautiful aromas of red fruit, strawberry, a little gentian. Juicy, well-balanced, fresh and pleasurable on all levels. - 15/16 Château La Haye Majesté - Saint-Estèphe - 2016Delicate oak, black fruits, floral. Suave, slightly prominent tannins, prominent oak. - 15/16 Château Pez (de) - Saint-Estèphe - 2016Closed, fruity nose. Juicy and fresh. Greedy but with tannins that squeeze to the max. - 15/16 Château Saint Estèphe - Saint-Estèphe - 2016Slightly smoky nose, a little graphite, juicy, greedy, well-balanced for a fresh, dynamic whole. A pleasurable wine. - 15/16 Château Boscq (le) - Saint-Estèphe - 2016A fresh nose, with a nice touch of wood, a complex and charming nose. Taut, lively, vibrant palate with building but charming tannins. - 16/17 Château Haut-Marbuzet - Saint-Estèphe - 2016Fresh fruit, very floral, greedy. Beautiful expression of fruit, juicy tannins, balanced and silky mouthfeel. - 16/17 Château Le Crock - Saint-Estèphe - 2016Fruity, greedy nose, full of freshness. Round on the palate, very fine tannins with delicacy and perfume. - 16/17 Château Lilian Ladouys - Saint-Estèphe - 2016Floral, fruity, minty, juicy, fresh, very fine tannins, greediness for a charming, fresh, elegant Saint-Estèphe. A finish with the savory austerity of Saint-Estephe, but which will develop a patina with age. - 16/17 Château Martin - Saint-Estèphe - 2016Attractive oaky, smoky nose with hints of blueberry. Dense, well-constructed palate, tannins still a little austere but very Saint-Etienne in their purity. Freshness and intensity on the finish. - 16/17 Château Ormes de Pez - Saint-Estèphe - 2016Black fruit, blueberry, blackberry. Straightforward palate, good tannic charge, vigor too. A muscular but juicy and tasty Saint-Estèphe. - 16/17 Château Pomys - Saint-Estèphe - 2016Beautiful black fruits with floral touches. Some woody notes, juice, fleshiness for a beautiful whole despite an austerity on the finish. - 16/17 Château Ségur de Cabanac - Saint-Estèphe - 2016Fresh, greedy, fruity and floral on the enticing, wriggling nose. Very fine juice, fleshy, the greediness is also expressed on the nose with a slightly austere but well-controlled finish - 16/17 Château Tour des Termes Alexaure - Saint-Estèphe - 2016Lively, dynamic, fresh, dense and complex nose. Beautiful mouthfeel, full-bodied, with notes of iris and violet. Tannins, concentration, lots of substance with structuring tannins. Quite deep and muscular. - 16/17 Château Montrose La Dame de Montrose - Saint-Estèphe - 2016Rosé, floral, spicy, licorice on aeration. Very fresh, juicy, crisp and velvety, with great substance, a wine that's as charming as it gets. This is no longer a second wine, it's a wine in its own right. - 16/18 Château Phélan Ségur - Saint-Estèphe - 2016Black fruit, slightly mentholated, very fine oak, licorice. Very ripe fruit. Structured tannins, volume without losing real elegance. Fleshy, elegant finish. A very fine bottle, the most accomplished of recent years - 16/18 Château Tronquoy-Lalande - Saint-Estèphe - 2016Black fruit, licorice, a little smoky and very spicy. Juicy, full-bodied palate, volume, a high tannic load but velvety and fresh. Fine bitters on the finish. Very Saint-Estèphe with elegant austerity. - 16/18 Château Saint-Pierre de Corbian - Saint-Estèphe - 2016Vibrant nose, very black fruit, magical gourmandise and complexity. Juicy, tasty too, beautifully velvety with a substantial but perfectly controlled tannic structure. Excellent value for money. An essential purchase. - 16/18+ Château Cos d'Estournel Pagodes de Cos - Saint-Estèphe - 2016Floral, a little lilac, at once fresh, a little acidic and deep. A round, unctuous Pagodes with the necessary tension for a Saint-Estèphe wine. The most accomplished Pagodes of its breed. What length! A real favorite. - 17/18 Château Lafon-Rochet - Saint-Estèphe - 2016A slightly graphite, smoky, mocha nose with hints of iris, blackcurrant buds, juicy, full mouth, a little round, a tannic charge with greediness, substance, volume. Among the greats. A Lafon-Rochet that will leave a lasting impression. - 17/19Château Calon-Ségur - Saint-Estèphe - 2016From the very first nose, Calon Ségur impresses with its greediness, fresh fruit and floral notes. The palate is very precise, enhanced by great freshness and a racy dimension that we didn't know existed. Great art! Bravo ! A real favorite. - 18/19,5 Château Cos d'Estournel - Saint-Estèphe - 2016Smoky, nicely toasted, with notes of iris and violet. Unctuous, round, superb mouthfeel, elegant tannins, substance, volume. Taffeta mouthfeel. An ambitious, unctuous, perfectly polished Cos with a breed and extra soul rarely found in this vintage. - 18/20 Château Montrose - Saint-Estèphe - 2016Iris, black cherry, lilac for a nose of rare depth at Montrose. Mocha, a little coffee. Lusciousness and juice of real complexity, a big tannic load with a magnificent coating and a very beautiful velvety structure. Superb peacock-tailed, airy finish. You can feel Montrose's potential and the signature of the vintage, which is quite rare this year. Powerful yet elegant. One of the most powerful in Bordeaux. - 18/20
Pomerol: primeurs 2016
A quick stroll through the vineyards at the end of August suggested the worst, but Pomerol is a great terroir and managed to counteract the negative thoughts we had. Although the gravelly soils have suffered, resulting in singular wines (such as Petrus, which is very distinctive this year), the more clayey soils such as Gazin or Evangile are coping remarkably well. On the other hand, l'Eglise-Clinet and Clos l'Eglise impress, while Clinet offers more charm than usual.Château La Clémence - Pomerol - 2016A very modern, woody nose. Freshness, significant extraction, volume, density. A little modern for my taste. - 15/16 Château Cantelauze - Pomerol - 2016Plum, black fruit, an original nose. Straightforward on the palate, taut despite a massive side. Tannins a little too structuring for my taste. - 15/16,5 Château La Commanderie - Pomerol - 2016Woody, toasty nose. A tannic charge that clenches a little, powerful tannins, a little too much. - 15/16,5 Château Nénin Fugue de - Pomerol - 2016Floral, fruity too, velvety, fleshy, crisp too. Juicy mouthfeel, freshness. A very fine, elegant wine. - 15/16,5 Château Taillefer - Pomerol - 2016A slightly closed nose, though quite floral. Velvety, juicy, fruity, very good tannic charge with a lingering finish. - 15/16,5 Château Cabanne (la) - Pomerol - 2016Black fruit, spicy, fresh. Medium-bodied, fresh, pleasantly long and tense rather than structured. - 16/17 Château Fayat - Pomerol - 2016Smoky, licorice, beautiful aromatic framework on freshness, floral notes too. Juicy, velvety, with hints of iris and spices, tending towards structuring tannins - 16/17 Château La Renaissance - Pomerol - 2016Smoky, toasty, very fine wood in a very Pomerol environment. Round, mellow, generous, with fine tannins, average structure but assertive finesse. - 16/17 Château Lafleur-Gazin - Pomerol - 2016Mentholated freshness, spicy notes too. Juicy and dense at the same time. A fabulously tannic Lafleur-Gazin. - 16/17 Château Lécuyer - Pomerol - 2016Dynamic, slightly lively, floral nose. Very nice creamy mouthfeel, beautiful tannic charge with flavor, sapidity. - 16/17 Château Saint-Pierre II - Pomerol - 2016Beautiful, fresh, fruity nose. Greedy, pure expression. Precise, laser-like palate with good acidity and movement. Long-lasting freshness - 16/17 Château Saint-Pierre - Pomerol - 2016Plum, a little spice, black fruit. Juicy, fleshy mouthfeel, softness and a lovely sensation of freshness on the finish. - 16/17 Château Valois (de) L'Eclat - Pomerol - 2016A floral nose, with a hint of iris. Quite dense on the nose and palate, velvety, suave, round and mellow. A sensual wine. - 16/17 Château Beau Soleil - Pomerol - 2016Beautiful woodiness, smokiness, intense black fruits. Fresh and juicy on the palate, with good density and remarkable length. - 16/17,5 Château Bel-Air - Pomerol - 2016A little shy, slightly spicy. Fresh, silky, a beautiful patina with freshness, lightness and real balance. - 16/17,5 Château Caillou (le) - Pomerol - 2016Dynamic and fresh, with notes of black fruit, spices and light smoke. Well-balanced, round and suave on the palate, with tannins that make a slight impression on the finish. A lovely ensemble. - 16/17,5 Clos Grangeneuve - Pomerol - 2016Pronounced wood, spices, black fruits. Fresh, fleshy, sapid. - 16/17,5 Clos Vieux Taillefer - Pomerol - 2016Juicy, fresh, almost creamy, beautiful tannins with a fresh finish. A real success. Superb juicy mouthfeel. - 16/17,5 Château Création (la) - Pomerol - 2016Clean, pure nose, beautiful fruit. Fresh, minty, round, delicate and delicate on the palate. A fine success. - 16/17,5 Château Evangile (l') Blason de - Pomerol - 2016Intense black fruit, a little blackcurrant, blueberry too. Velvety, sapid, taffeta mouthfeel with superb length and a crisp finish. - 16/17,5 Château La Croix de Gay - Pomerol - 2016Blackcurrant, spicy, a little plum. Velvety, fleshy, a beautiful expression on the palate, juicy and suave. Lively. Movement. - 16/17,5 Château La Grave Trigant de Boisset - Pomerol - 2016Black fruit, spices too, with a deep structure on the nose. Dense and delicate, volume, sapidity, very minty on the finish. Superb freshness. Much less austere than usual. - 16/17,5 Château Le Moulin - Pomerol - 2016Black fruit and spice on the nose. Juicy, straightforward palate, harmony, balance and greed. - 16/17,5 Château Mazeyres - Pomerol - 2016Nose of black fruit and flowers. Suave and sapid, beautiful juice, fleshy but always elegant. Without doubt the most accomplished Mazeyres. - 16/17,5 Château Montviel - Pomerol - 2016Rather timid nose. Fresh, unctuous on the palate, with dense, well-controlled tannins that hold the wine together. Good length. - 16/17,5 Château Saint-Pierre - Pomerol - 2016Spicy, a little charcoal, slightly graphite. Velvety mouthfeel followed by a tannic framework of density and precision. Long, taut, fresh finish. Superb. - 16/17,5 Château Vieux Maillet - Pomerol - 2016Fresh, greedy, black fruit notes. Unctuous, creamy palate with real freshness underpinning the whole. Superb juicy mouthfeel. - 16/17,5 Château Vray Croix de Gay - Pomerol - 2016Elegant, almost floral nose with lovely purity. Juicy to perfection, very nice mouthfeel, velvety, harmonious. One of the estate's most accomplished. - 16/17,5 Château Bellegrave - Pomerol - 2016Violet and black fruit on an elegant nose. Fresh and velvety, the palate is firmly in place, dynamic enough to provide an airy finish. A great success. - 16/18 Clos du Clocher - Pomerol - 2016Spicy, smoky, woody/grilled. Very nice mouthfeel, creamy, juicy with velvety tannins. A beautiful expression of black fruit on the finish with airy density. - 16/18 Clos René - Pomerol - 2016Fresh and velvety, beautiful juice on the palate, tannins that squeeze a little but a beautiful whole with vivacity and elegance. A very pretty Clos René - 16/18 Château Moulinet - Pomerol - 2016Fresh fruit, very floral, almost morello cherry, a beautiful expression of fruit. Silky, juicy too, with precision and magnificent tension on the finish. Elegant as hell - 16/18 Château Valois (de) - Pomerol - 2016Floral (violet and iris), fresh, powerful, complex for a relatively modern nose. Juicy and unctuous, the palate is structured by tannins in top form. A very fine wine. - 16/18 Château Beauregard - Pomerol - 2016Blackcurrant and black fruit on the nose, with good oak. Velvety, fleshy, also mellow with very fine tannins. - 17/18 Château Bon Pasteur (le) - Pomerol - 2016Spicy, a little shy. Suave, round, carved out of the mass without any asperity, with greediness - 17/18 Château Fleur-Petrus (la) - Pomerol - 2016Violet, very floral. Juicy and almost creamy, fleshy and smooth. A very charming La Fleur-Petrus despite the heavy tannic load and tension. - 17/18 Château Hosanna - Pomerol - 2016Fresh, greedy nose of ripe black fruit. Velvety and almost creamy on entry. Vibrant, balanced tannins with good ageing potential. - 17/18 Château L'Enclos - Pomerol - 2016Spicy, very floral, almost lilac, iris, lily. Fresh on the palate, with structuring tannins, velvety texture and substance. Powerful yet elegant. - 17/18 Château Lafleur Pensées de - Pomerol - 2016Floral, violet, a little iris in a fresh register. Juicy on the palate, what freshness, velvety yet taut, superb tannins, an ensemble of rare nobility. Rarely has Pensées been so dazzling. A magnificent addition to the soul. - 17/18 Château Lagrange - Pomerol - 2016Superb freshness, with notes of spice and iris. Juicy, velvety and fleshy on the palate, with elegance and building tannins that hold everything together. - 17/18 Château Latour à Pomerol - Pomerol - 2016Elegant, spicy oak. Velvety, juicy, fleshy, a very fine tannic structure with depth and delicacy. Mentholated finish. A great success. - 17/18 Château Nénin - Pomerol - 2016Floral, a little violet, iris and beautiful spring flowers. Patina, elegance with substance, but always elegant and delicate. - 17/18 Château Petit Village - Pomerol - 2016Black fruit, spicy with floral notes. Well-established palate, volume, precision too, with real freshness. Airy, fruity finish. - 17/18 Château Pointe (la) - Pomerol - 2016Fresh, slightly smoky, fruity, even greedy. Juicy and tasty, volume, tension too, for a full, well-made whole. -17/18 Château Bourgneuf - Pomerol - 2016Woody and smoky, the nose reveals notes of black fruits and spices. Velvety flesh, volume for a perfectly balanced, fruity, delicate wine. A real success. - 17/18,5 Château Certan de May de Certan - Pomerol - 2016Expressive nose of violets, iris and flowers. Lively and fresh. Round and velvety, juicy fleshiness, greediness in the fruit. The impression of biting into a grape. Superb. -17/18,5 Clos l'Eglise - Pomerol - 2016Nose of violets, very fresh black fruit, beautiful woodiness. Subtle, velvety mouthfeel, very fine tannins, volume, roundness, mellowness. A complete and superb wine. Taffeta mouthfeel. Clos l'Eglise is back among the greats. At last... - 17/18,5 Château Eglise-Clinet (l') La Petite Eglise - Pomerol - 2016Nose of iris, cherry, blackberry. Velvety, juicy, silky mouthfeel, volume, power but without an ounce of asperity. Taffeta. The most accomplished of the "Petite Eglise" - 17/18.5 Château Gazin - Pomerol - 2016Restrained and delicate, the nose exudes pretty notes of flowers and black fruits. Suave and velvety on the palate, with beautiful bitters on the finish, softness and suppleness. An elegant, fresh, subtle Gazin. - 17/18,5 Le Clos du Beau Père - Pomerol - 2016Beautiful black fruits, melted oak, a heavy tannic load. What a backbone! Beautiful velvety mouthfeel, structuring tannins, built for ageing. Superb. - 17/18,5 Château Le Gay - Pomerol - 2016Woody nose, also fruity for a beautiful complexity. Some floral notes on aeration. Juicy and round, good density with a high tannic load but still delicate and velvety. Very fresh on the finish. -17/18,5 Château La Conseillante - Pomerol - 2016Beautiful aromas of flowers, violets and a little blackcurrant. Juicy, floral aromas on the palate, softness and lovely fleshiness. Fresh, taut finish, tannic structure. A typical La Conseillante, powerful yet delicate. - 17/19,5 Château Clinet - Pomerol - 2016Gingerbread, a little mocha, very fine black fruits. Beautiful mouthfeel, velvety, persistent tannins, superb structure, airy, long finish. At once creamy and refocused by a tannic charge. Very sapid. - 18/19 Château Trotanoy - Pomerol - 2016Floral and spicy, with a nose of great complexity. Full-bodied, dense and juicy, very fine tannic structure with freshness and balance. Great ageing potential. A most accomplished Trotanoy. - 18/19 Château Lafleur - Pomerol - 2016Fresh, subtle, pure nose with notes of violet, very floral, black fruit. The mouthfeel is different from Pensées, more precise, purer, more crystalline. The finish is airy, greedy and quite tannic. Powerful elegance. The wine of the vintage... Perhaps the finest Lafleur ever made - 18/19.5 Vieux Château Certan - Pomerol - 2016Superb black fruits, crispness, flowers. Delicate. Juicy, big tannic charge, velvety too, freshness too. What breed! - 18/19,5 Château Eglise-Clinet (l') - Pomerol - 2016Nose of violets and iris, with a very fine wood finish. Velvety entry, beautiful tannic power with volume, intensity and incredible length. A tannic charge that structures the whole for a superb l'Eglise-Clinet. A benchmark bottle. One of the estate's most singular, but what class! -18/20 Château Evangile (l') - Pomerol - 2016Blueberry, iris, a touch of violet, crisp tannins, volume, lots of substance but in harmony, a superb velvety sensation. The tension brings magnificent length. L'Evangile, still round and mellow, is full-bodied and soulful. More sparkle than 2015. - 18/20 Petrus - Pomerol - 2016Nose of blackberry, blueberry, quite distinctive for Petrus. Soft, round, quite singular, a big tannic presence in subtlety, purity, airy. On rails with a straightness linked to freshness. Strong tannic structure. A disconcerting and imposing Petrus in the best sense of the word. - 18/20
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 - 2016Lively, 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 - 2016Woody, spicy, lively nose. Well-positioned, well-balanced palate, nervousness for an elegant whole. - 15/16 Château Moulin de Clotte - Castillon - Côtes de Bordeaux - 2016Lively 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 - 2016Closed 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 - 2016Fresh, slightly mentholated, blackcurrant. Taut, acidic, straightforward with an airy finish. - 15/16,5 Château Arce (d') - Castillon - Côtes de Bordeaux - 2016Beautiful, 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 - 2016An 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 - 2016Floral, beautiful black fruits. Fresh too. Pleasant, fruity mouthfeel - 15/16.5 Château Côte Montpezat Compostelle - Castillon - Côtes de Bordeaux - 2016Elegant, 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 - 2016Coffee, 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 - 2016Beautifully wooded, melted. Juicy, dense, structuring tannins without any asperity with a fresh, airy finish. - 16/17 Clos Lunelles - Castillon - Côtes de Bordeaux - 2016Vibrant, 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 - 2016Ripe 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 - 2016Smoky, 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 - 2016Nose 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 - 2016Very 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 - 2016Gourmandise, beautiful fruit, flowers, roundness and suavity. - 15/16 Château Sergant - Lalande-de-Pomerol - 2016Fresh, elegant, fresh, ripe fruit. Round, greedy and fruity on the palate. - 15/16 Château Tournefeuille - Lalande-de-Pomerol - 2016Freshness 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 - 2016Iris, floral, superb mouthfeel of greediness, a fine tannic charge, volume. Energizing - 16/16.5 Château Annereaux (des) - Lalande-de-Pomerol - 2016Floral 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 - 2016Slightly 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 - 2016Magnificent 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 - 2016Beautiful oak, delicate fruit. Deep mouthfeel, black fruit, velvety tannins. - 16/17 Château Belles-Graves - Lalande-de-Pomerol - 2016Slightly 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 - 2016Fresh 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 - 2016Superb nose of black fruits and violets. Unctuous on the palate, tannic grain, lovely length and freshness. - 16/17,5 Château Siaurac - Lalande-de-Pomerol - 2016Blackcurrant, 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 - 2016Violet, very floral, round, mellow with a tannic framework of density. Airy. - 17/18 Château Les Cruzelles - Lalande-de-Pomerol - 2016Iris, violet, a little smoky. Juicy, velvety mouthfeel, substance with superb tannins and magnificent length. - 17/18
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 - 2016Floral, vibrant, spicy nose. Tension, slightly tight tannins, straightforwardness with a touch of austerity for the vintage. - 15,5/16,5 Château Lestage - Listrac-Médoc - 2016Imposing 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 - 2016Black fruit, greediness, some floral notes. Juicy, fresh, good length, freshness. - 16/17 Clos des Demoiselles - Listrac-Médoc - 2016Floral, 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 - 2016Beautiful nose of black fruits, charming, floral. Straight, taut palate, lovely bitters on the finish. Airy too. - 16/17 Château Fourcas Hostens - Listrac-Médoc - 2016Spicy, 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 - 2016Floral, spicy, black fruit. Structured palate, substance, volume and a well-balanced yet tannic ensemble. - 16/17 Château Saransot-Dupré - Listrac-Médoc - 2016Flowers 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 - 2016A 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 - 2016A 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 - 2016Spicy, vibrant, a big tannic load, tension and building tannins. - 15/16,5 Château Garricq (la) - Moulis-en-Médoc - 2016Ripe black fruit, taut, fresh palate, volume with structure and velvety tannins. - 15/16,5 Château Lestage-Darquier - Moulis-en-Médoc - 2016Nose 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 - 2016Fresh, 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 - 2016Fruity nose, well in place, slightly spicy. Juicy on the palate, a beautiful whole with greediness - 15/16.5 Château Anthonic - Moulis-en-Médoc - 2016Fresh, fruity, gourmand, generosity, freshness, structuring tannins, in place. Greedy, fruity finish. - 16/17 Château Maucaillou - Moulis-en-Médoc - 2016Floral, black fruit, hints of blackcurrant. Gourmet, juicy, very fruity on the palate for a wine that's all about indulgence. - 16/17
Haut-Médoc and Médoc: primeurs 2016
Even if many of the wines from these two appellations are not sold en primeur, this is an opportunity for the wine lover to unearth some very good value for money. These are wines that make sense, especially in a vintage such as 2016, which erases their austere side. Full of fruit and deliciousness, they are among this year's bargains, and there are many of them. Enjoy your selection! Château Beaumont - Haut-Médoc - 2016Spices, a little caramel. Dense on the palate, but a strong extraction that stretches the whole. - 15/16 Château Cantemerle - Haut-Médoc - 2016Spicy nose, graphite, pencil lead. Dense on the palate, building tannins but less crisp and fruity than the vintage would suggest. - 15/16 Château Charmail - Haut-Médoc - 2016Smoky, liquorice nose with a hint of vegetal. Round, with extraction (a little too much), volume and a finish that is a little tense. Yet the potential is there. - 15/16 Château Croix du Trale - Haut-Médoc - 2016Hints of liquorice, black fruit and freshness. Fleshy on the palate, a heavy tannic load with building tannins that are a little tight on the finish. A shame. - 15/16 Château Moulin Rouge (du) - Haut-Médoc - 2016Fresh, slightly minty, intense black fruit notes. Luscious, juicy, charming for a wine that will blend perfectly with ageing and retain its gourmand notes. -15/16 Château Reysson - Haut-Médoc - 2016A closed, somewhat shy nose, with a supple, well-established mouthfeel, freshness and gourmandise. - 15/16 Château Trois Moulins - Haut-Médoc - 2016Fruity, greedy, elegant with notes of black fruit, juicy, elegant palate, light touches of bell pepper for a fruity finish. Tension on the finish at this stage. - 15/16 Château Arcins (d') - Haut-Médoc - 2016Recreative greediness on the nose, notes of black fruit. On the palate, crunchy, vibrant, beautifully fleshy for a particularly well-balanced whole. A wine for pleasure. Good effort. - 15/16,5 Château Breuil (du) - Haut-Médoc - 2016Blackcurrant, almost crème de cassis, flowers too. Juicy, greedy, well in place with tannins that mark a little on the finish but a balanced whole. - 15/16,5 Château Citran - Haut-Médoc - 2016A blend of black fruits and flowers that leaves an impression of harmony. Dense on the palate, with building, structuring tannins for a well-polished but slightly austere finish - 15/16.5 Château Coufran - Haut-Médoc - 2016Spicy, graphite nose. Dense, tannic palate, volume, beautiful expression. - 15/16,5 Château Labat - Haut-Médoc - 2016The nose is dominated, for the moment, by noble wood. Some black fruit notes. A greedy, fruity, juicy entry to a tauter, more acidic structure. A fine wine for pleasure. - 15/16,5 Château Lamarque (de) - Haut-Médoc - 2016Black fruit, spices too. Velvety, almost creamy mouthfeel on entry, with structuring tannins. - 15/16,5 Château Soudars - Haut-Médoc - 2016Smoky oak, spices and hints of bell pepper and licorice. Juicy, greedy, beautiful fruit for a long finish. - 15/16,5 Château Verdignan - Haut-Médoc - 2016Strawberry, black fruit, lovely gourmet aromas. The palate is a little tight, the tannins are structuring and a little austere at this stage. - 15/16,5 Château Camensac (de) - Haut-Médoc - 2016Spicy, a little closed. Density, tannins that are a little tight, but building tannins. Extraction seems to mark the wines. To be relished. - 15/16? Château Barreyres - Haut-Médoc - 2016Spicy and slightly smoky, the nose reveals notes of black fruit and graphite. Freshness on the palate, crisp, juicy, fleshy too, with building tannins. A very fine effort. - 16/17 Château Cambon la Pelouse - Haut-Médoc - 2016Slightly lively, acidic nose of strawberry and redcurrant. Floral too. Very fine, precise mouthfeel, elegant tannic structure, structured but never drying out. Good value for money. - 16/17 Château Cassana (de) - Haut-Médoc - 2016Floral nose, a little lilac, a little iris. Juicy on the palate, with structured, slightly austere tannins that will gain patina with age. A wine set to last. - 16/17 Château Cissac - Haut-Médoc - 2016Mentholated freshness for a fine expression of greedy black fruit. The woodiness returns a little on the palate, with structuring tannins that build but don't dry out, substance and complexity. A rather robust Cissac that retains the freshness of the vintage. - 16/17 Château Hanteillan (d') - Haut-Médoc - 2016Fruity, almost crisp, fresh nose. Lively, dynamic, crisp and fruity on the palate. - 16/17 Château Lanessan - Haut-Médoc - 2016Rose, black fruit, beautiful spices (licorice) for an elegant nose. Juicy, full-bodied, powerful but still fresh, fruity and delicious. Beautiful bottle - 16/17 Château Martin - Haut-Médoc - 2016Minty freshness, lovely black fruit notes. Luscious and juicy on the palate, with substance but well coated by acidity and an airy finish. - 16/17 Château Mille Roses - Haut-Médoc - 2016Hints of fresh, ripe grapes, but the palate reveals slightly raspy, austere tannins. Fresh, fruity finish. - 16/17 Château Moulin Rouge (du) - Haut-Médoc - 2016Nose of iris, violet a little, lilac sometimes with aeration. Black cherry on the palate, volume, power without losing the freshness that supports the whole. Beautiful bitters on the finish. - 16/17 Château Bernadotte - Haut-Médoc - 2016Slightly smoky, graphite, a little licorice too for a very spicy nose. Juicy, sapid, very fine tannins, a wine with length, freshness and structure. Good ageing potential. A most accomplished Bernadotte. - 16/17,5 Château Clément-Pichon - Haut-Médoc - 2016Nose of blackcurrant leaf, ripe fruit, taut, precise palate, fresh tannins. Never been so fresh and delicious. Merlot that thinks it's Cabernet. - 16/17,5 Château La Tour Carnet - Haut-Médoc - 2016Spicy, woody nose, freshness and density on the palate. Structuring tannins for a dense, straightforward whole. A fine La Tour Carnet that never really reveals itself in primeur. - 16/17,5 Château Larrivaux - Haut-Médoc - 2016Floral, iris, lily with hints of rose. Velvety, fresh, very fine tannins with a high tannic load and superb length. The fleshiness of clay, the tension of limestone. Without doubt the finest Larrivaux of the modern era. Superb value for money (around 15 Euros). - 16/17,5 Château Malescasse - Haut-Médoc - 2016Nose of blackcurrant, blackberry, very fine expression of freshness. Velvety on the palate, with wood but depth and suavity. - 16/17,5 Château Paloumey - Haut-Médoc - 2016Attractive nose of blackberry and blueberry with complexity. Freshness and depth on the program, lovely tension with crunch and fleshiness. A very fine Paloumey. - 16/17,5 Château Agassac (d') - Haut-Médoc - 2016Black fruit, blackcurrant leaf, a little floral. Delicate, precise mouthfeel with building, juicy tannins. A very fine expression of Agassac, the culmination of long work by Jean-Luc Zell. - 16/18 Château Gravilles (les) Renaissance - Haut-Médoc - 2016Ripe black fruit, floral touches, a hint of spice. Sappy and well-structured, with fine tannins, depth and substance for a rather heavy but delicate tannic load. A very fine bottle. - 16/18 Château Lagune (la) - Haut-Médoc - 2016Floral, delicate black fruit. Suave and juicy at the same time, dense on the palate, with structure and length. A very fine La Lagune, perhaps one of the most charming. - 17/18 Château Sociando-Mallet - Haut-Médoc - 2016Woody, floral too, with hints of iris. The palate is suave but cut through the mass, with volume and tension too. A very fine Sociando-Mallet, a must-have in your cellar. - 17/18 Saïkouk - Médoc - 2016Fresh, fruity, greedy, with notes of blackberry and blackcurrant. Light on the palate, fresh but a little lean for the vintage. - 14/15 Château Haut Condissas - Médoc - 2016Clove, very woody, toasty too. Amplitude and density, big tannic charge, density. A little too much for my taste. - 15/16 Château L'Ecrin de Couleys - Médoc - 2016Black fruits, a few touches of flowers, for a dapper, fruity, alert nose. Straightforward on the palate, juicy substance, structuring tannins, a beautiful whole. A pleasant wine. - 15/16 Château Rollan de By - Médoc - 2016Wood, licorice, a little toasted. Very tannic, dense, muscular palate. Dry finish. - 15/16 Château Vernous - Médoc - 2016Fruity, crisp, though a little herbaceous. Tart mouthfeel, medium structure, juicy. - 15/16 Vieux Château Landon - Médoc - 2016Nice woodiness, a little prominent, spices, graphite notes. On the palate, more upright than round structure, slight Médoc austerity, airy finish. Still a little shy. - 15/16 Château Grands Chênes (les) - Médoc - 2016Blackcurrant, blackberry, fruitiness for an airy whole. Juicy, tasty with a tannic frame. Deep. - 15/16,5 Château Haut Barrail - Médoc - 2016Pretty black fruits, greediness. A little tense on the palate, with a well-structured tannic framework and a slightly herbaceous but pleasant finish. - 15/16,5 Château La Tour de By - Médoc - 2016Fresh, greedy nose of black fruit with hints of cherry. Juicy on the palate, tannic but straightforward and dense. A fine exercise. - 15/16,5 Château Moulin de Canhaut - Médoc - 2016Notes of bell pepper, a little blackcurrant leaf. Tension, controlled acidity, a beautiful ensemble of freshness and gourmandise. - 15/16,5 Château Moulin de Taffard - Médoc - 2016Slightly coffee/mocha, a little spice too, with black fruits adding a note of freshness and palatability. Straightforward, structuring tannins, the volume doesn't take over thanks to good acidity. A wine for ageing and indulgence. - 15/16,5 Château Patache d'Aux - Médoc - 2016Inky, floral, peony nose. Tannic palate, a little hard, lacking suppleness and juice. But balanced, fresh and fruity. - 15/16,5 Château Pey (le) - Médoc - 2016Spices, a little graphite too, ink. Full-bodied, with a high tannic load, but with a smooth mouthfeel. - 15/16,5 Château Potensac Chapelle de - Médoc - 2016Gourmand, fresh, fruity nose, very fine aromas of blackcurrant. Luscious, well-in place, beautiful Cabernets on the tension. - 15/16,5 Château Tour Castillon - Médoc - 2016Aromas of blackberries and delicate oak on a deep, dense nose. Lively and straightforward on the palate, with good freshness and delicacy for a wine that is straightforward and tannic, with more length than density. Good ageing potential - 15/16.5+. Château Noaillac - Médoc - 2016A fresh, fruity nose, very black fruit despite some floral interstices. Juicy entry, volume, present and structuring tannins that should soften with time but guarantee real ageing potential. - 15/16+ Château Arsac (d') The Winemarkers' Collection by Hubert de Boüard - Médoc - 2016Closed nose, floral on aeration. Tasty and juicy, with velvety tannins and substance. - 15/17,5 Château La France Delhomme - Médoc - 2016Spicy, black fruits. Beautiful tension, good control of acidity, greediness. An estate to watch. - 15/17,5 Château Cos d'Estournel Goulée by Cos d'Estournel - Médoc - 2016Black fruit, crisp, with a hint of herbs, but without being overpowering. Tannic on the palate, but also greedy, with a fruity, airy finish. Classy tannins. Less interventionism and the impression of crunching grapes. A most accomplished Goulée - 16/17 Château Fontaine de l'Aubier - Médoc - 2016Floral, beautiful black fruit, chewy, greedy. Beautiful balance. - 16/17 Château Inclassable (l') - Médoc - 2016Black fruit and a little spice, structuring tannins, substance, Médoc austerity. - 16/17 Château Preuillac - Médoc - 2016Black fruit, fresh and floral on aeration. Very nice mouthfeel, juicy, suave, full yet with a lovely expression of fruit. Delicious and deep. - 16/17 Château Roquegrave - Médoc - 2016Slightly metallic on the nose, juicy, almost creamy, with velvety tannins, a lovely gourmet whole. - 16/17 Clos Manou - Médoc - 2016Beautiful nose of black fruit with freshness and hints of menthol. Round, juicy and fruity on the palate. - 16/17,5 Château Fleur la Mothe - Médoc - 2016Floral, with hints of blackberry and blueberry. Velvety, juicy entry, not creamy but mellow with freshness at every level. Superb tannic definition on the finish. One of the best ever produced. - 16/17,5 Château Haut-Maurac - Médoc - 2016Pronounced oak/grit. Very spicy. Dense and tannic on the palate, with good volume and freshness but with real length. Built on density. - 16/17,5 Château Poitevin - Médoc - 2016Blackcurrant, blackberry and spice on the nose. Well-integrated oak. Juicy on the palate, with roundness, mellowness and tannins that reinforce the whole on the finish. Less massive than usual, but just as complex. - 16/17,5 Château La Branne - Médoc - 2016Floral, slightly spicy too, with hints of black fruit. Creamy on the palate, with a heavy tannic load but playing the game of seduction. - 16/17+ Château Potensac - Médoc - 2016A little reduced but with floral notes. Depth, fruit, a very fine tannic charge that peacocks on the finish. One of the Médoc's best value for money - 17/18
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 - 2016Floral, 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 - 2016Floral 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 - 2016Fresh, 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 - 2016Beautiful 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 - 2016Pronounced 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 - 2016Smoky, 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 - 2016Greedy, 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 - 2016Quite 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 - 2016Floral, 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 - 2016Floral, 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 - 2016Fresh, 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 - 2016Coffee, 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 - 2016Very 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 - 2016Beautiful oak, slightly smoky nose, velvety, very nice ripeness compared to last year. Simply superb. - 16/17 Château Daugay - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru - 2016Very floral and fresh. Black fruit, beautiful aromas. Juicy, mouth-filling, crisp. - 16/17 Château Roc de Boisseaux - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru - 2016Fresh, 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 - 2016Violet, iris, rose, juicy mouthfeel, beautiful tannins, a taut mouthfeel, superb aromatic radiance. Structured tannins. - 16/17 Château Croix Cardinale - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru - 2016Floral, iris, juicy, silky, mellow too with real freshness. Airy, tannic finish. -16/17 Château Harmonie - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru - 2016Fresh, menthol, iris. Beautiful structure, greediness, building tannins. - 16/17 Château Grand Barrail Lamarzelle Figeac - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru - 2016Fresh 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 - 2016Fresh 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 - 2016Deep, 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 - 2016Woody, 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 - 2016Bursting 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 - 2016Fresh, 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 - 2016Black 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 - 2016Black fruit, flowers too. Fresh, juicy, crisp with the sensation of biting into a grape berry. Superb. - 16/18 Clos Dubreuil - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru - 2016Imposing 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 - 2016Floral, 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 - 2016Very 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 - 2016Very 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 - 2016Reduce 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 - 2016Pronounced 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 - 2016Floral, 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 - 2016Floral, 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 - 2016A 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 - 2016Fresh nose, iris, a little ink, velvety, silky, elegant. Superb mouthfeel. Airy finish - 17/18 Château Valandraud Virginie de Valandraud - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru - 2016Woody, 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 - 2016Lively 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 - 2016Fresh, 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 - 2016Very 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 - 2016Violet, 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 - 2016Blackberry, 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 - 2016Floral, 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 - 2016Woody/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 - 2016Beautiful 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 - 2016A little coffee, blackcurrant leaf, superb velvety entry, precision, fine tannin management. - 16,5/17,5 Château Cap de Mourlin - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classé - 2016Spicy 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 - 2016Iris, 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 - 2016Closed 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 - 2016Black 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 - 2016Fruity, plummy, spicy, a little menthol. Juicy mouthfeel, good volume, freshness. - 16/17 Château Villemaurine - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classé - 2016Woody, almost toasted nose. Fleshy, density, volume. A little massive though. - 16/17 Château La Serre - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classé - 2016Smoky, 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 - 2016Floral, 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 - 2016Notes 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 - 2016Iris, 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 - 2016Blackcurrant 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 - 2016Spicy, 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 - 2016Slightly 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 - 2016Pink, black fruit, very fine ripe grapes. Juicy, heavy tannic charge, fresh and pulpy. - 17/18 Château Sansonnet - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classé - 2016Fresh, 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 - 2016Smoky, 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 - 2016Fresh nose, fruity too, full of greediness. Beautifully velvety, fleshy, long and straightforward. - 17/18 Clos de l'Oratoire - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classé - 2016Flowers 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 - 2016Slightly 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 - 2016Beautiful 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 - 2016Beautiful 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 - 2016Beautiful 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 - 2016Nose 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 - 2016Fresh, greedy nose, black fruits too. Velvety, sapid, beautiful structure, movement, length. Delicate and fresh. - 17/18,5 Château Fonroque - Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classé - 2016Subtle, 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 - 2016A 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 - 2016Black 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 - 2016Floral, 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 - 2016Toasty, 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 - 2016Iris, 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 - 2016Black 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 - 2016Beautiful 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 - 2016Spicy, 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 - 2016Reduced 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 - 2016Violet, 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 - 2016Blackberry, 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 - 2016Cherry, 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 - 2016A 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 - 2016Very 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 - 2016Floral, 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 - 2016Superb 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 - 2016Slightly 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 - 2016Raspberry, 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
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