2016 St Emilion Tasting Notes Ratings Buying Guide for Best 150 wines

2016 St. Emilion has a little bit of something for everyone. You have some of the best wines coming from the limestone plateau, as well as from vineyards with clay below the limestone and great wines were also made in the gravel terroir, close to Pomerol. 2016 was all about the water. If the soils were able to provide enough water to the vines to get them through one of the driest vintages on record, the 2016 Saint Emilion wines can be stunning! Old vines played a significant part in the wine this year, more than usual, because their root systems were deep enough to find the source of water they desperately needed.

2016 St. Emilion wines at their best share certain commonalities. They are all uniformly deep in color. There is a beautiful freshness to the wines giving them lift. The fruit has a wonderful sense of purity. The tannins offer silk, velvet or both. The 2016 Saint Emilion wines are clearly ripe, but they are balanced, sensuous, complex and should age for decades.

What happened during the growing season and harvest period to allow for such great wines? 2016 St. Emilion did not get off to a good start. Frankly, the initial part of the growing season started off wet, and cloudy. The massive amount of water in the vineyards and cooler temperatures set things back. Vignerons already knew 2016 Saint Emilion would be a lat vintage. Bacchus must love Bordeaux because at the beginning of June, the rain stopped, the sun came out and the flowering took place during one of the few breaks in the rain. At least now, growers had a glimmer of hope. The quantity was going to be there, but would the quality come as well?

The official start of summer changed everything. The rains were gone and sunny, warm summer days with the all important shift to cold, nighttime temperatures arrived. Now, growers needed to decide how much, or even if they should deleaf. The vignerons that were careful not to remove too many leafs, for fear of too much sun made the right choice. Indian summer conditions continued. But as the summer wore on, the extreme dryness of the 2016 Saint Emilion vintage began to have an effect on the vineyards. Young vines shut down, or died. The older vines were in danger of shutting down their growth cycle as well, to avoid starvation. But September 13 and September 14 brought about 44mm of rain, the perfect amount of moisture was delivered to the thirsty vines, and at the exact, opportune moment! The continued cold nighttime temperatures kept everything in check and growers were able to wait as long as they wished, for the grapes to achieve full maturity. Another shot of rainfall took place the night of September 30, or the morning of October 1, (depending on your point of view) and it was off to the races!

The 2016 St. Emilion harvest conditions could not have been better. Some growers reported 125 days of hang time. Other produces reported spending 4 weeks picking their fruit. And why not as conditions were perfect with warm sunny weather and an extended growing season. For more of an in-depth look at the weather for all of 2016 Bordeaux: 2016 Bordeaux Harvest and Growing Season Report

This is the ninth in a series of reports covering the best 600 wines from the 2016 Bordeaux vintage. This is the final article covering all the Right Bank wines, in fact, all the 2016 red wines are now on the site, we’ll cover 2016 dry white Bordeaux and end with 2016 Sauternes.

Before we get to all the 2016 Saint Emilion wines, it is important to know Severe Frost Slammed Bordeaux April 27 and April 28 causing Massive Damage. While vineyards in most appellations saw frost damage, it was particularly devastating in the Right Bank. Pomerol and the satellite suffered tremendous losses that in the worse case, will result no wine being made in 2017. Vineyards in Saint Emilion also took tremendous hits that resulted in losses of up to 90% of their potential 2017 crop being destroyed. This is going to alter pricing to varying degrees as the 2016 Saint Emilion wines become priced.

Lastly, as I get this asked to me quite often lately, which is better, 2015 St. Emilion or 2016 St. Emilion? There are some wines that are clearly better in 2016 than 2015. There are also wines in 2015 that out performed 2016. But much of the time, it is going to depend on your personal, style preference. 2015 St. Emilion is riper, denser, richer, higher in alcohol and more decadent. 2016 Saint Emilion is more precise, tannic, structured and pure. The wines will want more time in the cellar and should also last longer as well.

2016 St. Emilion Bordeaux Tasting Notes, Ratings

2016 Adaugusta – Lush, polished fruits, silky tannins, sweet, ripe juicy plums and cherries from start to finish – and all for a very fair price! 89 – 91 Pts

2016 Ambe Tour Pourret – Licorice, vanilla, smoke and ripe, dark red fruits on the nose. In the mouth, medium/full bodied, soft and approachable with round, sweet, dark red cherries and licorice. 90 – 92 Pts

2016 Angelus – With deep color, the wine offers some truffle, earth, florae and dark, red pit fruits in the incense. On the palate, the wine has the feel of well-worn, fine hotel linen with refined, sexy fruits and concentration. There is vibrancy to the fruits and velvetiness to the texture, coupled with depth, complexity and length. The wine was made from a blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Franc. The Grand Vin represents 67% of the harvest. 98 – 100 Pts

2016 Le Carillon de l’Angélus – While If you’re waiting for Angelus to develop, here’s an early-drinking wine to bide your time. There is character here. The wine offers juicy, ripe plums, mineral, smoke and licorice with a medium bodied, soft, smooth textured personality. 90 – 92 Pts

2016 Ausone – Flowers, blackberry, boysenberry, licorice and blue fruit are complicated by smoke and crushed rocks to conjure up the aura and the essence. On the palate, the wine is full bodied, intense and nearly bottomless in depth. The character evokes molten minerals blended with the perfect fruits. There is a sense of purity in the red, blue and black fruits, which revolves in the racy finish. Using an even split of 50% Cabernet Franc with 50% Merlot, the wine reached 14% alcohol with a pH of 3.5 and is aging in 100% new French oak barrels. This represents 75% of the crop, the yields being 40 hectoliters per hectare. 98 – 100 Pts

2016 Chapelle d’Ausone – Deep in color and blending 56% Cabernet Franc, 22% Merlot and 22% Cabernet Sauvignon, the wine is rich, structured, full bodied and tannic, offering dark red and black fruits with equally dark chocolate. The wine is concentrated, fat and really dense this year. It’s important to note the blend, because it is the highest percentage of the Cabernet’s ever used in this wine. The vines are young and not quite ready to include in the Grand Vin but they are close. 91 – 93 Pts

2016 Badette – Inky, dark, juicy, deep, round and lavishly textured, the wine is long, sweet, rich, fleshy and concentrated. With density and flavor and sweetness of fruit, this is a wine to keep your eye on. 92 – 94 Pts

2016 Balestard La Tonnelle – Medium bodied with polished soft fruits, hints of licorice, thyme, herbs and cherries, the wine leaves you with an earthy finish. 89 – 91 Pts

2016 Barde Haut – Black raspberry and earthy scents are coupled with lush textures, ripe tannins, black cherry, licorice and just a hint of dark chocolate. Dark in color with a density of raw material and a good bit of energy, this wine was made from a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, reaching 14.3% with a pH of 3.45. 92 – 94 Pts

2016 Beau-Sejour Becot – Fresh, silky, ripe, soft and pure, there is a lovely stone, floral and dark berry quality with length and polished textures. The wine was made from 80% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, reaching 14.5% alcohol with no touch of heat and freshness galore. 94 – 96 Pts

2016 Beausejour Duffau Lagarrosse – Deep dark in color, this wine is all about the spirit of fresh picked flowers, stony minerals and black cherry. Full bodied and penetrating, the wine has a beautiful sense of purity, lift and finesse. There is intensity, concentration and layers of sweetly saturated, energetic, dark fruits, licorice and boysenberry that just keep going long after the last sip. The wine was produced from blending 90% Merlot, harvested October 7 to October 18 and 10% Cabernet Franc, picked October 18 to October 21. The wine reached 14.4% alcohol with a pH of 3.38. 97 – 99 Pts

2016 Belair-Monange – Fresh, dark red fruits, kirsch liqueur and black raspberry open the wine. Silky, soft and mineral driven, both bright red and dark red berries create the wine’s core. There is freshness, length, purity of fruit and a stone-filled finish. 94 – 96 Pts

2016 Bel-Air-Ouy – Fleshy sweet plums, earth and cocoa, this wine is medium bodied with dusty tannins and dark cherries in the finish. 88 – 90 Pts

2016 Bellefont-Belcier – Almost opaque in color, the wine is smoky, floral and fruity. There is a profundity of flavor, purity of fruit, freshness and complexity. From a blend of 65% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, the alcohol reached 15% with no sensation of heat. The harvest took place between October 11 and October 22. This wine is a big step up for the estate and is clearly the best wine they have ever produced. 93 – 95 Pts

2016 Bellevue – Deep in color, this blend of 100% Merlot is all about the rich, silky textures, polished tannins, freshness, and the ripe, plush, plummy, mineral-driven finish with that touch of dark chocolate, spice and earth in the endnote. This could be the best ever wine from Bellevue. 94 – 96 Pts

2016 Bellevue-Mondotte – A deep shade, smoky and mineral driven with dark, ripe plums that remain on your palate for at least 60 seconds. This is focused, elongated and the fruit is pristine. The sensation of salt and rocks really pulls through here. This is a wine to cellar for a decade or so; it will be well worth the wait. 96 – 98 Pts

2016 Berliquet – Lilies and juicy plum scents are followed by a lushly textured, polished, sweet, fresh earthy mix of dark red pit fruits. The freshness and fruit really linger. It is going to be fun to compare the 2015 and 2016 Berliquet — both strong years. I lean to the latter year, but I cannot decide which vintage is better. This wine was made from blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc, reaching 14.3% alcohol with a pH of 3.5. 92 – 94 Pts

2016 Boutisse – Juicy, ripe, fresh, sweet, ripe, black and red fruits, earthy and licorice kick things off. Round textured, with a polished, spicy, ripe, plummy finish. 90 – 92 Pts

2016 Cadet Bon – A forward, medium bodied, earthy, fresh, red berry dominated, spicy wine that will offer early drinking with easy pleasure. 88 – 90 Pts

2016 Canon – Inkjet black purple in color, you have depth, length and concentration. There is a waterfall of flawlessly ripe fruit and a quarry of crushed rocks with licorice and flowers. This is a wealthy wine, infused with lushness, opulence, density and intensity. The finish lingers, owing to the layers of ripe fruit and glycerin. The wine was made from a blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc, reaching 14.2% alcohol with a pH of 3.6. 95 – 97 Pts

2016 Canon la Gaffeliere – With silky tannins, the wine feels like velvet. The black juicy plums, smoke, espresso, stone and salty mineral characteristics really shine through. There is concentration, complexity and length, offering purity of fruit and sensuous palate teasing textures. The wine was made from a blend of 55% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, reaching 13.5% alcohol with a pH of 3.6. The harvest took place September 26 to October 15 94 – 96 Pts

2016 Cap de Mourlin – Lush, juicy, dark red fruits, espresso, earth and fennel create the nose. In the mouth, the fruit is velour — plush and soft with a concentration of flavor and sweetness in the finish. 91 – 93 Pts

2016 Chauvin – Deep in color, full bodied with more richness than usual, there is a tannic structure with enough freshness and crisp, crunchy, dark red berries to age. 92 – 90 Pts

2016 Cheval Blanc – Rose petals, spice, kirsch, earth, smoky black cherries, wet earth and forest leaves are the what you initially sense. On the palate, the wine is silky, pure, fresh and vibrant. There is an elegance, charm, refinement and precision to this more structured, classic example of Cheval Blanc. You will want to age this for at least a decade before popping a bottle. This is a more structured style of Cheval Blanc, built to age. The wine was made using 59.5% Merlot, 37.5% Cabernet Franc and 3.3% Cabernet Sauvignon. This is the first vintage in 10 years that any Cabernet Sauvignon was used in the blend. The wine reached 14.25% alcohol with a pH of 3.67 and the harvest took place September 20 to October 12. The Grand Vin represents 77% of the harvest. 96 – 98 Pts

2016 Le Petit Cheval – Ruby in color, this wine opens with flowers and cherry notes. Medium bodied, elegant and fresh, the fruit shows a plummy, early drinking charm. The wine was made from a blend of 62% Merlot and 38% Cabernet Franc. Only 7% of the harvest made it into the second wine this year. 89 – 91 Pts

2016 Le Petit Cheval Bordeaux Blanc (Bordeaux) – Crisp, fresh, bright, yellow, citrus fruits, vanilla, pomelo, lime, green apple and floral scents get the wine going. There is a fresh, vibrant quality to all the citrus and green apples that comes through on the nose and palate. 92 Pts

2016 Clos Badon Thunevin – Medium/full bodied with polished tannins, ripe sweet fruit, wet earth, licorice and a juicy, energetic fruit finish, this wine will drink well early or offer more nuance with age. 91 – 93 Pts

2016 Clos-de-lOratoire – Black cherry liqueur, dark chocolate, flowers, smoke and espresso on the nose, when this wine hits your palate you’ll find ripe, fresh, sweet, silky dark red berries and plum. Blending 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, there is a sweetness and softness to the tannins, carrying fruit and freshness to the endnote. 92 – 94 Pts

2016 Clos de Sarpe – Deeply colored, this powerful, dense, rich and intense wine combines concentration and mouth-coating levels of fruit and acidity with ripe, dark red fruits and citrus in the endnote. The wine was made from a blend of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc, reaching 15.5% with a pH of 3.3. Currently aging in 60% new French oak barrels, this is a change in the maturation process, as the previous vintages were aged in 100% new oak. 92 – 94 Pts

2016 Clos des Baies – Medium bodied, open and already showing off its dark cherry, licorice and black raspberry notes, this is soft, fresh and fruity. Created by the cellar master of Chateau Ausone, the wine is a blending of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc. 90 – 92 Pts

2016 Clos des Jacobins – Medium bodied with a smoky, cherry personality, the wine is soft and polished with a plummy, earthy, chocolate finish. 90 – 92 Pts

2016 Clos Dubreuil – Chocolate-covered black raspberries, licorice and smoky notes create the perfume. On the palate, the wine is plummy, round, fresh and sweet. There is a good purity of fruit in the satin finish. 93 – 95 Pts

2016 Clos Fourtet – Smoky with licorice, violets, lilacs, cigar wrapper and dark fruits, this wine is silky and structured, precise and polished, concentrated and fresh. The finish has all this great juice moving from black to red fruits, to spice and then sweetness and back again. The wine was produced from a blend of 90% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Cabernet Franc, reaching 14% alcohol with a pH of 3.35. The harvest took place October 4 to October 20. 95 – 97 Pts

2016 Clos La Madeleine – Dark ruby in color, the wine offers flowers, boysenberry, crushed stone and black cherry. Medium bodied, supple and fresh, a few years in the cellar will add nuance to this wine. 90 – 92 Pts

2016 Clos Romanile – Medium bodied with a fresh flower character, the wine is polished and offers fresh, ripe, dark red fruits and soft textures in the finish. 89 – 91 Pts

2016 Clos Saint Julien – Fresh, fleshy and flowery with a jolt of espresso and juicy plum, the wine is vibrant, long, sweet and juicy and was created from a blend of 50% Merlot and 50% Cabernet Franc. 91 – 93 Pts

2016 Clos St. Martin – Cherry liqueur, kirsch, black raspberry, flowers, espresso and licorice create the perfume, while on the palate, you’ll find silky, sensuously textured black cherries and velvet tannins. This is a very hedonistic treat – hypnotic in a way. The wine was made from a blend of 80% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. 94 – 96 Pts

2016 Corbin – Plums, licorice and floral aromatics with a hint of cocoa on the nose. On the palate, the wine is soft, fresh and more concentrated than usual with a finesse driven, dusty, elegant, sweet, polished, vibrant finish. There is purity in the fruit, length and energy here. The wine was made from blending 89% Merlot and 11% Cabernet Franc, reaching 14.5% alcohol and aging in 50% new French oak barrels. For fans of this wine, you should know, this is best wine yet, made from Corbin! 92 – 94 Pts

2016 Cote de Baleau – Blending 80% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine is sweet, fresh, soft, medium bodied and crisp with a Sweet-tarts finish that offers both sweet red fruits with a hint of crispy, tart accents. 88 – 90 Pts

2016 Couspaude – Dark in color, dark in fruit, this smoky wine shows coffee bean, licorice, incense and black cherries. Round and fleshy, the finish leaves you with fat, lush, ripe fruits, licorice, chocolate and fresh brewed espresso sensations. 90 – 92 Pts

2016 Couvent des Jacobins – Best wine here in a long time. The fruit is soft and silky, medium bodied and fresh and the finish offers licorice, cherries and spice. 89 – 91 Pts

2016 Croix de Labrie – Quite floral with truffle, licorice, cocoa, black cherry, smoke and plum notes. This plush, polished, supple textured wine blends freshness with juicy, ripe, soft fruits. The wine is made from a blend of 92% Merlot and 8% Cabernet Sauvignon, reaching 14.5% alcohol with a pH of 3.49. 93 – 95 Pts

2016 Les Hauts de Croix de Labrie – From a small 1.5 hectare parcel of vines planted close to Libourne, northwest of St. Emilion, the wine is medium bodied, forward and softly textured with a stone, floral, cherry and pit fruit core. 87-89 Pts

2016 Croix de Labrie Chapelle de Labrie – From a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, this medium-bodied wine is forward in style with a sensation of minerality and sweet, fresh cherries and red plums. 89-91 Pts

2016 Croix de Labrie Blanc – The wine opens with a blend of 60% Semillon. 20% Sauvignon Blanc and 20% Sauvignon Gris. The wine is all about the pure, fresh, just squeezed grapefruit, lemon and lime along with its crisp, fresh finish. It’s not powerful, nor should it be, but its a nice summery wine with character. 90 Pts

2016 Croque Michotte – Fresh sweet and tart berries from start to finish, this medium-bodied wine is bright with a crisp, spicy red fruit and pepper finish that is a bit dry in the endnote. 85 – 87 Pts

2016 Dassault – Round, ripe juicy berries, licorice, fresh brewed espresso, plum and dark chocolate create the bouquet. In the mouth, the wine is lush, soft and round with loads of dark red sweet fruits, cocoa, licorice and coffee bean. Drink it young or age it for a few years. 90 – 92 Pts

2016 Daugay – Medium bodied, soft and polished, there is a sweetness to the fruit here that couples perfectly with the elegant styling. You can drink this on the young side. – 89 – 91 Pts

2016 de Candale – Refined elegance with juicy ripe plum, licorice, black cherry and smoke, this medium/full-bodied wine has soft, polished tannins and a fine, fruity finish. 89 – 91 Pts

2016 de Ferrand – Mineral driven with black raspberries, medium body and bright fruits in the finish, you can drink this on the young side 87 – 89 Pts

2016 Destieux – Medium bodied with sweet black raspberry, vanilla, licorice and espresso, this wine is forward and fun with a crowd-pleasing style. 89 – 91 Pts

2016 du Parc – Medium bodied and ripe with good fruit, there is too much oak to fruit in this vintage. 85 – 87 Pts

2016 Edmus – An elegant, early drinking charmer with an open, ripe, sweet, fresh cherry and thyme character, this wine will provide easy drinking and medium bodied pleasure. 86 – 88 Pts

2016 Faugeres – Made from 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, the wine opens with lusciously textured, very ripe, chewy dark plums. Stand by for sweetness, freshness and length. 91 – 93 Pts

2016 Faurie de Souchard – Medium bodied, fresh, sweet cherries and thyme with a note of mint in the soft-textured finish just to flesh things out. 88 – 90 Pts

2016 Ferrand Lartigue – Medium bodied, forward, polished, soft, fruity and ready for early drinking. 88 – 90 Pts

2016 Figeac – A great blend of density and supple, sensuous textures, velvety tannins and continuous waves of sweet, ripe, pure boysenberry, black cherry, licorice and chocolate. The fruit is very precise. The sweetness and purity is complimented by vibrant acidity and there is mouth-coating fruit that’s fresh from start to finish. It’s often easy for me to choose a favorite vintage between 2015 and 2016 but not here. This is sublime! From a blend of 38% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot and 26% Cabernet Franc, the wine reached 14% alcohol with a pH of 3.67 and will be aged in 100% new French oak for 18 months. The picking took place September 23 to October 20. The Grand Vin represents 60% of the harvest. 98 – 100 Pts

2016 Fleur Cardinale – Luscious textures with purity of fruit, this wine is all about the chocolate-covered plums and black cherry with their licorice and floral accents. The tannins are soft, the texture is velvety and the dark red fruits, anise, smoke, cocoa and earthy personality really shine in the finish. 94 – 96 Pts

2016 Croix Cardinale – Lushly textured, medium/full bodied, fresh, ripe and juicy, there are loads of sweet, silky, soft fruits and licorice that will satisfy any hedonist. 91 – 93 Pts

2016 Fombrauge – Forward, round and easy to drink, this wine displays its licorice, black cherry, smoke and espresso with ease. 89 – 91 Pts

2016 Fonbel – A nose of spice, licorice and black raspberries, the wine is medium bodied with a bright character to the fruit. The tannins are ripe, the fruit is fresh with a hint of chocolate and you really feel the addition of the Carmenere and Petit Verdot, which lends all the spicy qualities. Give this a few years to age. The wine was made from a blend of 70% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Carmenere and 7% Petit Verdot. The harvest began September 29, starting with the Merlot and finishing October 15 with the Carmenere. 89 – 91 Pts

2016 Fonplegade – Deep ruby-purple in color with a spicy set of aromatics, this is made even more complicated by dark cherries and plums. This wine is rich, sultry and silky, competing with, and perhaps exceeding, the very strong 2015. This is going to be a fun back-to-back vintage to compare over the next few decades. The wine was made from a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc and reached 14.2% alcohol with a pH of 3.45. 94 – 96 Pts

2016 Fonroque – Clearly, the best wine ever produced at Fonroque. The nose is complicated by hints of marzipan, black raspberry and stone. The wine is silky, fresh and fleshy with length and depth. 92 – 94 Pts

2016 Franc-Mayne – Elegance, purity of fruit and sweetness in the red berries, this is a medium-bodied wine with fresh fruits and a polished, textured finish. 90 – 92 Pts

2016 Godeau – Floral, black raspberry, plummy, licorice and oak, this medium-bodied wine is soft and forward, easy to drink now and better with a few years of age. 89 – 91 Pts

2016 Gracia – Deep and nearly inky in color, you’ll find so much sweetness in the fat, juicy, velvety fruits, silky-soft tannins and decadent textures. This is a wine to taste. There is less oak and more focus on the purity, elegance and balance. 94 – 96 Pts

2016 Les-Angelots-de-Gracia – Espresso, spice, smoked fruits and licorice, dominate the wine. Clearly, this is luxurious, abundant and dense, but the modern style with its oaky character will not work for everyone. 91 – 93 Pts

2016 Grand Pontet – Medium bodied with ripe, fresh red fruits, spice, earth and a finish of juicy cherries and stone. 89 – 91 Pts

2016 Grand-Barrail-Lamarzelle – Medium bodied, forward, early drinker without faults in a user friendly, crowd-pleasing style. 85 – 87 Pts

2016 Grand-Corbin – Flowers, black raspberry and licorice on the nose work perfectly with the medium bodied, fresh, sweet, ripe cherry core of fruits on the palate. Elegant in style. 90 – 92 Pts

2016 Grand-Corbin-Despagne – Silky, mineral-driven fruits, ripe, soft tannins, medium bodied with fresh plums, which carry through from start to finish. 90 – 92 Pts

2016 Grand-Corbin-Manuel – Medium bodied, fresh, elegant, red cherry dominate wine, with soft textures, spicy, red fruits and a touch of espresso in the finish. You can drink this with just a few years in the cellar, or less. 89 – 91 Pts

2016 Grandes Murailles – The drawing room meets the greenhouse. Flowers, mostly lilies, smoke and kirsch on the nose, this is one of those great value wines from St. Emilion that combines a forward, supple style and sweet black raspberries with a sensation of minerality on the finish. Produced from 100% Merlot, the wine reached 14.8% alcohol. 91 – 93 Pts

2016 Guadet – Supple textured, fresh, silky and quite tasty, the fruit is ripe, sweet, clean and shows a nice spicy component in the endnote. 90 – 92 Pts

2016 Harmonie – Black raspberry jam, licorice and espresso are the key to the character here. Medium bodied, round and forward, this will offer delicious, ripe, fruity, black raspberry and red plum qualities with sweetness on release. 89 – 91 Pts

2016 Haut Brisson – With a strong sense of minerality, silky tannins, lush, salty fruit and pepper, this wine is smoky, fresh, concentrated and packed with ripe pit fruit. The wine was produced from a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, reaching 14.4% alcohol with a pH of 3.8. 92 – 94 Pts

2016 Haut Rocher – Deeply colored with a blend of 60% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Cabernet Franc, along with a dash of Malbec, this wine exudes a floral, boysenberry and spicy character. On the palate, the wine is fleshy, fat, forward and sweet. 90 – 92 Pts

2016 Haut-Sarpe – Good color, ripe, dark fruits, this wine is fleshy and sweet, but there is a touch of dryness in the mouth and in the finish. 86 – 88 Pts

2016 Haut Simard – Licorice, black raspberry and fresh, red and white cherries pop with no effort. Juicy, fresh and lively, the wine is medium bodied with loads of fruit and freshness in a bright finish. Made from a blend of 65% Merlot and 35% Cabernet Franc, the wine is aging in 20% new French oak barrels. 88 – 90 Pts

2016 Jean Faure – Medium bodied with spicy, sweet fruits, this is on the red side of the style range. The wine is bright and fresh with sweet, juicy red plums in the finish. 89 – 91 Pts

2016 Jean Voisin – Dark in color, the wine is soft, silky and forward with sweet, ripe, dark red fruits, licorice and spice. The fruit-filled finish serves up a generous blast of wild cherry and licorice. 91 – 93 Pts

2016 La Bienfaisance Sanctus – Stony, mineral-driven fruits, salty, earthy tannins, there is richness and depth here, but this is not for early drinking — the wine will need time to develop. 91 – 93 Pts

2016 La Clotte – Succulent fruits, stone, fresh red plum and licorice start the show. Medium/full bodied with ample fruits, spice, herbs and earth, the tannins are smooth and the fruit offers character and charm. The wine was made from a blend of 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc. The harvest took place October 12 to October 17. I had thought the 2015 was going to remain their best wine ever, but with the 2016, this is a new level of quality here. 92 – 94 Pts

2016 La Commanderie – Deeply colored, medium bodied with an earthy, licorice and black cherry character, the wine is fresh, vibrant and will be ready to drink with just a year or two of age. 89 – 91 Pts

2016 La Confession – Espresso, smoke, licorice and ripe black fruits create the nose. The wine is lush, sweet, opulently textured and full bodied. The polished tannins, ripe fruits, spice and earth mingle well on your palate. The wine was made with 72% Merlot and 28% Cabernet Franc. 92 – 94 Pts

2016 La Dominique – With a floral nose that is complicated by incense, black raspberry and vanilla, this wine shows a nice, deep color. On the palate, the wine bursts with fertile, sweet, luscious, dark red fruits, ripe, opulent tannins and a fruit filled, spicy finish. The wine was made from a blend of 80% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc and 8% Cabernet Sauvignon, representing the highest percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend in the history of the estate. The wine reached 14% alcohol with a pH of 3.7 93 – 95 Pts

2016 La-Fleur-Morange – Soft, fresh, ripe dark red fruits, that show a great blend juicy plums, cherries, licorice, smoke and stone. All this is made even better with true old vine Merlot from vines that are 100 years of age. Those deep roots really helped in this very dry vintage. 92-94 Pts

2016 La Fleur Morange Mathilde – Fleshy, ripe, forward and showing loads of fresh spicy berries, earth and licorice, this is good to go on release. 90 – 92 Pts

2016 La Gaffeliere – Medium bodied, soft polished and fresh, with an earthy, licorice, espresso, smoke and black cherry profile. The finish says as much about the silky tannins, as it does with its dark cherry finish has a nice, dark chocolate finish. 90 – 94 Pts

2016 La Marzelle – Flowers and black raspberry scents are no effort to find, the wine is lush, polished, sweet, ripe and loaded with dark juicy plums, licorice and chocolate. 91 – 93 Pts

2016 La Mondotte – Sensual, concentrated, luscious, deep and focused, this is another hot librarian in lingerie. Precise, with layers of velvet-textured plum and black cherries, the wine is decadent with freshness and lift with a strong sensation of crushed stone to add complexity. The finish leaves you with a feeling of self-indulgence. Sophisticated, sleek and ready with succulence, this darkly colored wine was produced from 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, reaching 14.2% alcohol with a pH of 3.4. The harvest took place September 29 to October 15. 96 – 98 Pts

2016 La Serre – Deeply colored, fleshy, sweet, round and ripe with volume, length and freshness, this is the best vintage of La Serre I have ever tasted. 89 – 91 Pts

2016 La Tour du Pin Figeac – Notes of citrus, cherries, earth and spice, there is freshness in al those sweet and spicy berries, but a bit too much wood in the finish that stops the wine from getting a higher score. 88 – 90 Pts

2016 La-TourFigeac – Silky soft and polished, this wine is medium bodied and elegantly styled with supple textures. The finish shows ripe, dark red pit fruits, earth, cocoa and thyme. 91 – 93 Pts

2016 Laforge – From a blend of 82% Merlot and 8% Cabernet Franc, licorice, espresso, smoke, wet earth and red fruits open the perfume. Medium/full bodied with round, polished tannins, black cherries and oak on the palate, the finish reveals layers of juicy black fruits and more oak. If the wood integrates, this will be a better wine. 90 – 92 Pts

2016 Laniote – Earthy red fruits and thyme on the nose and on the palate, the wine is medium bodied, soft and will be drinkable on release. 85 – 87 Pts

2016 Larcis Ducasse – This is incredibly rich, sensuous, full bodied and deep. Between the tannins and fruit, I cannot decide which is more polished or has more finesse. With lavish textures, waves of fruit and a velvet mouth feel, this is an outstanding wine with tremendous character. Made from a blend of 87% Merlot, harvested October 12 to October 20 and 13% Cabernet Franc, picked on October 18 and 19, the wine reached 14.4% alcohol with a pH of 3.45. 96 – 98 Pts

2016 Larmande – This is a medium/full-bodied effort with good color and cassis and spice in the mouth. Clearly, they are on the way to improving the wine at Larmande but they still have more work to do. While the wine is ripe, it doesn’t quite make it to the finish line. 86 – 88 Pts

2016 Laroque – With a worthy depth of color, this wine reveals dark berries, earth and licorice in the fragrance. The fruit is sweet and juicy. There is complexity and vibrancy with a long, persistent boysenberry and black cherry finish. The wine was made with 95% Merlot, 4.5% Cabernet Franc and .5% Cabernet Sauvignon, reaching 14.5% alcohol with a pH of 3.35. This is the second vintage for Laroque with David Surie, the new director who has achieved great success in his efforts here. 92 – 94 Pts

2016 Laroze – Medium bodied with soft, sweet, fiery red fruits and hints of licorice and spice, this should drink well early. 89 – 91 Pts

2016 Le Carre – Smoke, wood, truffle, vanilla bean and black raspberry are the initial scents you’ll find. Full bodied, round, silky and offering, dark ripe plums and licorice on the palate, this should reward aging nicely. Made from blending 85% Merlot with 15% Cabernet, the wine reached 14.5% alcohol with a pH of 3.71. 92 – 94 Pts

2016 Le Chatelet – This is a forward, simple, correct, early drinking wine, medium bodied without faults but lacking complexity. 86 – 88 Pts

2016 Le Dome – Inky dark in color, the wine pops with all the flowers, black raspberries, smoke, licorice, cherry and vanilla bean you’ll need. Full bodied, powerful and concentrated, there is lushness to the textures, ripeness to the fruit and a salty, mineral character that really hangs on your palate. The wine has one of the largest percentages of Cabernet Franc in all of Bordeaux at 80% with the remainder coming from 20% Merlot. The wine reached 15% alcohol with a pH of 3.81. Thomas Duclos is the new consultant at Le Dome and he’s apparently kicked things up a notch. 93 – 95 Pts

2016 Le Jurat – Medium bodied and leaning toward the red side of the style range, the wine is fresh and displays a bit of licorice, coffee bean and floral character. This will drink well young. 86 – 88 Pts

2016 Le Prieure – Better than 2015, the sensuous textures and all the same fabulous attributes — but better. Darker, riper, sweeter, fresher and juicier with more refined stone, a sort of crushed gemstone. This wine shows well this year! 91 – 93 Pts

2016 Les Asteries – The blend of 83% Merlot and 17% Cabernet Franc produced a stony, mineral-driven wine with oak, smoky dark fruits, vanilla bean and black raspberry. Round textured and structured with sweet, dark fruits that stay throughout the finish, this wine is juicy and fresh with a strong note of coffee in the end. 91 – 93 Pts

2016 Lif – Ruby-garnet with a brush of toner, the wine offers truffle, smoke, black raspberries and cherry liqueur, which I would consider a perfect start. From there this really launches as it melts into your palate. Elegance, sweetness, purity of fruit, length and finesse with precision and refinement here that is difficult to achieve. The finish sticks with you. Made from 100% Merlot, the wine reached 14.3% alcohol with a pH of 3.38. The harvest was quick, taking place October 19 and 20. Only 400 cases were produced. 95 – 97 Pts

2016 Louis – Silky, soft, round, fresh, ripe red fruits, thyme and earth, the wine is medium bodied with a forward approach and should drink well young. 89 – 91 Pts

2016 Lucia – Opulent, dense, plump, juicy and hedonistic, this wine is sweet, fleshy, flashy and all smoking jacket and gold Rolex, leaving you with an afterglow of chocolate-covered cherries, espresso and licorice. Modern in style — if that’s your thing, you’re going to love it. 91 – 93 Pts

2016 Lusseau – Medium bodied and focused on its kirsch and floral side, the wine is ready to drink on release. 87 – 89 Pts

2016 Lynsolence – Deep and dark in color, fleshy, rich, juicy, sweet and lush, there is freshness, ripe fruits and length. This is the best wine yet for Lynsolence and should age nicely. 91 – 93 Pts

2016 MagrezFombrauge – Inky and opaque, the wine is all about chocolate-covered boysenberry, espresso, licorice, dark plum and darker cherry. Velvet drenched tannins, fat, salacious, opulent layers of perfectly ready, glossy fruits. This is the best wine produced here since 2000. You can feel the difference. It seems like everything has truly been dialed back. 94 – 96 Pts

2016 MagrezFombrauge Blanc – Citrus, grapefruit, vanilla and honeysuckle notes give you a wine with richness, sweetness and a nutty flavor — though a bit more acidity would be nice. 91 Pts

2016 Mangot – Smoky black cherries, soft, polished tannins and a wave of licorice, juicy dark fruits and cocoa in the finish, this is a wine that keeps getting better year after year! 90 – 92 Pts

2016 Mangot Todeschini – Smoke, licorice and tobacco rise above the dark red fruits in this deeply colored wine. Polished and fresh with a concentrated dark plum center and silky tannins, the wine is produced from a parcel selection of their best four hectares of vines. 91 – 93 Pts

2016 Milens – Gritty tannins, deep color and a blast of sweet, lush, juicy, ripe black cherries. 89 – 91 Pts

2016 Monbousquet – Deep in color, smoke, licorice and black cherry scents create the perfume. On the palate, the wine is lush, soft and polished and the plummy fruits are accented by licorice and espresso. Give this a few years for the oak to integrate. 90 – 92 Pts

2016 Montlabert – Medium bodied with a cherry and plum personality, this wine is mineral driven and needs a few years of bottle age. 88 – 90 Pts

2016 Moulin du Cadet – For the second year in a row this is a winner! Espresso bean, licorice, black cherry liqueur notes are just the beginning. Lusciously textured, sweet, ripe fruit, supple, sumptuous and plush on the palate, the wine offers spice and freshness in the finish. 92 – 94 Pts

2016 Moulin Saint Georges – Licorice, espresso, earth and black raspberry with the perfect accent of truffle in the nose, this medium-bodied wine is soft, silky, sweet and fresh with more of that juicy black raspberry in the finish. 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc create the blend and the wine is aged in 85% new French oak barrels for 18 months. 91 – 93 Pts

2016 Pavie – Inky in color, the wine is pure silk and velvet. The reduction of new oak and the increase of the Cabernets really make a difference. Rich, dense, plush and pure, there is a sweetness to the fruit and complexity that moves the wine from red to black again and again. Made from a blend of 60% Merlot, 22% Cabernet Franc and 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, the wine reached 14.5% with a pH of 3.49 and the harvest took place October 10 to October 20. 98 – 100 Pts

2016 Aromes de Pavie – The second of wine of Pavie is made in a fruit-forward style with dark fruits and stone, just like its big brother. But of course, while there is a minor resemblance, this is made for early consumption with a focus on the fruity side. 86 – 88 Pts

2016 Pavie Decesse – Smooth, pulpy, pure fruits on the rocks, ripe and polished, the wine is rich, lush, fresh and pure. The long finish is packed with juicy fruits and minerality. 92 – 94 Pts

2016 Pavie Macquin – You have to like your grapes poured over a rock quarry to get this wine, but I love it. The color of Homer’s wine dark sea with levels of extract that coat your palate, teeth and gums. There is something special here you can easily sense, with crushed velvet textures and the perfect combination of decadence and refined elegance. Even though this is incredibly powerful, everything is in harmony. The pure fruits linger, build and expand; this is a unique textural experience. The wine was produced from blending 82% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Franc and 2% Cabernet Sauvignon. The Merlot was harvested October 7 to October 21, the Cabernet Franc, October 17 to October 20 and the Cabernet Sauvignon on October 20. The wine reached 14.4% alcohol with a pH of 3.35. 98 – 100 Pts

2016 Peby Faugeres – Richly textured, opulent, sexy, ripe and fresh, there is a purity to the sweet, dense layers of fruit. Thick yet balanced, the black and blue show through really well here. Stratums of fat chocolate-covered boysenberries coat your palate with long lasting flavor. Even better, there is lift and freshness that makes this a wine you’ll want to ponder as well as drink. Produced from 100% old vine Merlot, the wine was aged in 65% new French oak barrels, reaching 14.8% with a pH of 3.6. 96 – 98 Pts

2016 Petit Faurie deSoutard – Earthy red fruits with soft textures, medium bodied, supple tannins and a spicy, fresh finish — definitely a step up for this estate. 88 – 90 Pts

2016 Petit Gravet Aine – Fresh, spicy and flowery, medium/full bodied with tobacco and herbs, which shine over the plums on the nose and in the mouth, there is more ripeness and flesh here than usual. 91 – 93 Pts

2016 Pierre de Lune – Blackened fruits, espresso, dark chocolate with cherry liqueur are molten and flowing. Fat, juicy and sweet, this is forward, opulent and dense. Using 100% Merlot, the wine was produced from very low yields of 11 hectoliters per hectare. 91 – 93 Pts

2016 Pindefleurs – Smoky, earthy, red berries, medium bodied, soft and forward, this is a wine to drink in its youth. 85 – 87 Pts

2016 Poesia – Excuse me, your truffle is showing. Blend in some espresso, licorice and vanilla and you’ve got the aromatics. Plump, plush fruits with dark chocolate and boysenberry finish things off nicely. Produced from a blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc, the wine reached 13.8% alcohol with a pH of 3.5. 91 – 93 Pts

2016 Pontet Labrie – A bit oaky, though its hard not to enjoy the round, dark berries and smoke, the wine is medium bodied and fresh and will drink well early. Chateau Pontet Labrie is a small production wine of only 300 cases from Jonathan Maltus that is made exclusively for the British merchant Honest Grapes. 87 – 89 Pts

2016 Pressac – Deep in color, the wine has flesh with rich, dark fruits, silky textures and polished tannins. This is the best wine yet from de Pressac. 93 – 95 Pts

2016 Puy-Blanquet – Medium bodied and focused on its black raspberry and floral character, the wine is fresh, bright and crisp with a plum and olive finish. 86 – 88 Pts

2016 Quinault LEnclos – Vanilla, black cherry, smoke and anise come through easily. There is freshness along with juicy fruit and bright red berries. Made from blending 68% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 18% Cabernet Franc, the wine is now aged in 500 liter barrels of which 50% is new French oak. 91 – 92 Pts

2016 Quintus – With a stunning shade of purple-red, a single sniff and you know Quintus truly knows how to craft a serious wine. Divine textures, fruits that dance on the palate, minerality, smoke, earth, licorice and flowers. The wine was made from a blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet, reaching 15% alcohol with a pH of 3.5. The harvest took place October 3 to October 20. 93 – 95 Pts

2016 Quintus Le Dragon de Quintus – Spicy dark cherry, fennel and plums at the center, open to soft textured, dark and light cherries with spice, earth and licorice in the finish. Medium bodied, forward with good softness on the palate, the wine was produced blending 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. 88 – 90 Pts

2016 Ripeau – Dark in color, this wine offers floral, dark berry, licorice, smoke, chocolate and sweet cherries. Round, fleshy, forward and fresh, the wine was produced from blending 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. 90 – 92 Pts

2016 Roc de Boisseaux – Medium bodied, soft and forward in personality, this wine reveals a nice fruity, juicy, fresh finish with a touch of tapenade and licorice in the endnote. The wine was made from blending 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc. 88 – 90 Pts

2016 Rochebelle – Leafy forest notes and red fruits lead to a medium bodied, forward, soft, easy to understand, crowd-pleaser of a wine. 85 – 87 Pts

2016 Rocheyron – Inky ruby and purple in color, the wine offers boysenberry, floral, licorice and black and blue fruit. Sweet, lush, fresh and pure with a concentrated, dark chocolate and plum liqueur finish. 93 – 95 Pts

2016 Rol Valentin – With floral, fresh cherry and red and black plums, this is soft, silky and inviting. Medium bodied and polished, this is a charmer. 91 – 93 Pts

2016 Saintayme – Made by Denis Durantou and produced from 100% Merlot, the wine offers a sweet, juicy, straight ahead plum and licorice nose. An early drinker with more depth and sweetness than normally found at Saintayme, there is a dusty, easy to like finish. 88 – 90 Pts

2016 St. Georges-Cote Pavie – Medium bodied with fresh bright fruits, this wine is a forward, early drinker with a focus on the red fruit side of the style range. 86 – 88 Pts

2016 Sanctus – Deep in color with lush dark fruits, silky tannins and juicy, sweet ripe plums, in an elegant and polished finish. 90 – 92 Pts

2016 Sansonnet – Powerful, mouth filling, rich, opulent and fresh, there is intensity and concentration with flavorful bands of fat juiciness, licorice and black plums so ripe you’ll want to suck on the stone. You’re going to like this wine. Its masterful essence will linger in your mind for hours. From a blend of 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc, this is the best vintage of Sansonnet yet. I know I’ve said it before, but this time I really mean it! 93 – 95 Pts

2016 Soutard – An attractively deep color, there is a saline quality to the tannins with ripe, dark red berries and ample flesh. The wine starts out well, with good texture, volume, and sweet, fruit, but as hard as it tries, it falls a bit short in the finish. 89 – 91 Pts

2016 SoutardCadet – Opulent, lush, dense and pure with fleshy textures, length and fat juicy fruits, this is long, powerful, fresh and refreshing, with a blast of licorice, sweet cherry liqueur and dark chocolate. 91 – 93 Pts

2016 Tertre Roteboeuf – Lusciously textured, fresh black raspberries, wild cherries, wet earth, oyster shell, smoke, licorice and forest scents create a complex set of aromas. Exotic Indian silk, virgin velvet, ruby fruits, anisette and soft tannins make this a hedonistic thrill ride. The wine was produced from a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. 96 – 98 Pts

2016 Teyssier – A forward crowd-pleaser with loads of freshness, ready dark red fruits, licorice and cherries. Drink it soon or age it for a few years. The wine was produced from blending 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc. 89 – 91 Pts

2016 Tour Saint Christophe – Deep, dark and almost opaque in color, the wine is made from blending 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. Ripe and loaded with fresh fruit, with a real sensation of purity and silky, polished tannins and a hint of chocolate in the finish. The wine reached 14.5% alcohol with pH of 3.7 94 – 96 Pts

2016 Trianon – Forward in style, there is a freshness and a mineral-driven quality, which compliments the plethora of sweet, dark red fruits, licorice and spice. Medium/full bodied, give this wine about two years to develop further. 89 – 91 Pts

2016 Troplong Mondot – Commanding, powerful, dark and intense, this wine is unfathomably deep, concentrated and juicy. While sizeable, there is a loveliness in the purity of the fruit and no heaviness on the palate. Instead, it’s balanced and harmonious. The velvet textured, opulent finish offers chocolate-covered plums and blackberry with licorice and a beautiful, multifaceted earthy character. This will take some time to come around. The wine was made using 89% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Cabernet Franc, reaching 15% alcohol. The harvest took place October 3 through October 27. 96 – 98 Pts

2016 Trotte Vieille – Fresh, sweet round fruits, licorice, juicy black cherries and silky polished tannins, this is the blend that works extremely well for Trotte Vielle. The wine was produced from 53% Cabernet Franc, 45% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Sauvignon, reaching 13.5% alcohol. The harvest began October 6, finishing October 21. 91 – 93 Pts

2016 Valandraud – Inky in color, the wine shoots out of the glass with spring flowers, licorice, smoke, boysenberry and cigar box. Rich, fleshy, supple with velvet-textured tannins, the wine is long, concentrated, deep and sweet. The dark fruit, licorice and plum liqueur finish has freshness and length. Made from a blend of 90% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon, reaching 14.5% alcohol with a pH of 3.5. The harvest took place October 8 to October 20. 96 – 98 Pts

2016 Virginie de Valandraud – Freshness is right out in front, racing the ample fruit for attention on the nose and on the palate. The wine easily sells its smoky, tobacco, licorice, dark red berry and cocoa aura. Soft tannins, sweet black plum, blackberry and a fruit-a-lious finish are the name of the game. 92 – 94 Pts

2016 Valandraud L’Interdit – Dark in color with fruit that shows a vibrant, fresh quality, here you’ll find juicy red plum and cherry notes. Silky and bright, the wine is soft and polished. Though lacking the depth and richness of its big brother, there is more freshness here. Produced from a single lieu-dit, the parcel comes from vines owned by Thunevin and not classified as a First Growth. The wine has only been made once before — in 2000. 91 – 93 Pts

2016 Blanc de Valandraud – Produced from a blend of 50% Sauvignon Gris, 40% Sauvignon Blanc and 10% Semillon, honeysuckle and assorted flowers are the first thing you notice. The wine is round, with concentrated, fresh citrus and sweet pomelo, this is refreshing and fresh. The green apple in the finish adds a nice characteristic. 92 Pts

2016 Virginie de Valandraud Blanc – Loads of yellow citrus, honeysuckle and lemon peel. Sweet, round and open, with juicy, fresh citrus in the nose and on the palate. 92 Pts

2016 Vieux Chateau Mazerat – Deep in color with smoky vanilla bean, black plum with a whip of licorice on top, this wine is rich, full bodied and intense. There is concentration, depth and freshness. The wine was made from a blend of 65% Merlot and 35% Cabernet Franc and the fruit comes from a single lieu-dit. 92 – 94 Pts

2016 Villemaurine – 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc produced a wine with depth, flowers, licorice, plum and spice. The wine combines sweetness, length and sensual textures. This is a real success for Villemaurine. 92 – 94 Pts

2016 YonFigeac – Medium bodied, soft, red plum and cherry fruits with a forward approach. 87 – 89 Pts

If you have any questions or comments on any of these wines, please feel free to post. The next report will focus on the 2016 dry white Bordeaux wines.