The Wines
Blanc de Lynch-Bages
This is really excellent with sliced apples, lemon rind, minerals and stones. Medium to full body, vivid and energetic acidity and a long and powerful, almost minerally finish.
James Suckling 95/100
Price: € 375
Domaine de Chevalier Blanc
A white with sliced-apple, pear and lemon character. Mediumto full-bodied, layered and so long. Tight and exciting. So salty and minerally. What a white! Grapes are hand harvested and the juice is fermented in 100% new oak casks. The wine remains on the lees in cask for 18 months, making it the longest aged, dry white in Bordeaux.
James Suckling 94-95/100
Price: € 481.17
Smith Haut-Lafitte Blanc, Pessac Léognan
The palate is very well balanced with a touch of wild honey on the entry. There is a spicy vein to this white Pessac-Léognan with a dab of ginger enlivening the refreshingly feisty finish.
James Suckling 96-97/100
Price: € 495
Château Haut-Brion Blanc
“Layered with a round and rich texture and body. Full and flavorful. Lots of dried-apple and pineapple character. Very long finish. Exotic and ripe. We will see which is better.” James Suckling
James Suckling 96-97/100
Price: € 4140
La Clarté de Haut-Brion Blanc
“Very salty and fruity with lots of dried pineapple and lemon rind. Medium-to full-bodied, dense and long. White pepper, too.” James Suckling
James Suckling 93-94/100
Price: € 405
Château La Mission Haut Brion Blanc
Rich, exotic and honeyed with superb expression and explosive citrus and pineapple fruit. The tangy lemon peel and mandarin notes are laced with cereal notes. A beautiful wine.
James Suckling 98-99/100
Price: € 3208.5
Château Pape Clément Blanc
This is phenomenal with a density and finesse that are hard to remember for this wine. Full-bodied, tight and polished. Seamless texture and salty undertones. Goes on for minutes. Truly great.
James Suckling 95-96/100
Price: € 702
Château Olivier Blanc
Dense and savory with a depth of fruit and aniseed character. Full body and a juicy finish. More of a red than a white in texture. Delicious already.
James Suckling 92-93/100
Price: € 142.5
Château Cantemerle
The only Château to be added to the Medoc classification after 1855 and it was certainly deserved. There are currently 87 hectares are under production planted with 50% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot, with additional 5% of Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot. On average, the vines are 30 years old. This 5th growth is in a good spot just south of Margaux but don’t expect the same power and concentration some of the bolder classed growths. “Dense and chewy already with plenty of ripe tannins and bright fruit. Vivid acidity. Full body, a firm and silky texture and a flavorful finish. Lots going on. Excellent follow-up to the great 2015!” – James Suckling
James Suckling 94-95/100
Price: € 150.6
Château Citran
“Firm and chewy red with plum and berry character. Medium to full body and dense fruit. Structured now. Better than 2015.” – James Suckling
James Suckling 91-92/100
Price: € 78
Château La Lagune
The palate is medium-bodied with quite firm tannin, perhaps just a little brittle on the entry.
Price: € 237.6
Château Sociando-Mallet
Tight and chewy yet polished and beautiful. Medium to full body, a pretty core of fruit within the center palate and a flavorful finish. Better than 2015 and on the same level as the excellent 2014.
James Suckling 93-94/100
Price: € 186
Château La Tour Carnet
La Tour Carnet has 73 hectares of vineyards in St-Laurent in the Haut-Médoc. The wine is typically a blend of 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 50% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. The estate has been owned by Bernard Magrez, also proprietor of Pape Clément, since 1999. “A linear and pretty wine with plenty of blackberry aromas and flavors to complement a tight and chewy tannin structure. Medium to full body and a bright finish. More structured than the 2015.” – James Suckling
James Suckling 92-93/100
Price: € 142.8
Château les Cruzelles
It has a very fragrant bouquet with perfumed red cherry and crushed strawberry fruit infused with minerals, like the La Chenade, very harmonious and detailed. The palate is medium-bodied with crunchy red berry fruit, crisp acidity.
James Suckling 91-92/100
Price: € 118.8
Château la Chenade
It has a lovely nose that needed some coaxing from the glass, eventually revealing black cherries and touches of bergamot with Earl Grey following later. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, fresh right from the start, very harmonious with an elegant, quite minerally finish. Very elegant, very suave, very promising.
James Suckling 92-93/100
Price: € 82.8
Alter Ego de Palmer, 2nd Wine of Château Palmer
This is very concentrated yet soft and fresh in texture. Full-bodied and round and mouth-filling. So impressive how it fills your mouth yet remains fresh. It’s so framed.
James Suckling 95-96/100
Price: € 325.2
Château d’Angludet
Reveals attractive blackberry, briary and subtle pressed flower aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with good body and fine density with this Margaux property’s consistent sense of approachability. The late Peter Sichel purchased d’Angludet in 1961 and it became his home for the next 37 years. Still family owned, 32 hectares of vineyards are planted with Cabernet Sauvignon (58%), Merlot (35%), Cabernet Franc (5%) and Petit Verdot (2%)
Price: € 139
Château d’Issan
This is so energetic for a young d’Issan with lots of white pepper, crushed stones and blackberries. Full body, ultra-fine tannins and great length. One of the greatest ever. Superb depth and intensity to this real Bordeaux. Wow.
James Suckling 96-97/100
Price: € 322
Château Giscours
2015 Giscours was already brilliant. We did not envisage 2016 being better, but … it is!
James Suckling 96-97/100
Price: € 304.18
Chateau Labegorce
This may be the best Labégorce ever. Full-bodied and dense yet vivid and energetic. Greatness in the making. One of the oldest vineyards in Bordeaux, established in 1332. Planted to 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot.
James Suckling 94-95/100
Price: € 140.4
Château Lascombes
A second growth for €≤65 euros is a smart buy. A fruit forward and satisfying wine that will repay cellaring.
James Suckling 93-94/100
Price: € 391.8
Château Malescot St. Exupéry
This is a superb wine. I didn’t think it could be better than the 2015 but indeed it is. Full, layered and sexy. It goes on for minutes with dense fruit, yet it’s also vivid and showcases sublime tannins and acidity balance. Great finish. This vineyard has an average vine age of 35 years, the vineyards are planted with 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot, at a quality driven high density planting of 10,000 vines per hectare.
James Suckling 98-99/100
Price: € 279
Château Margaux
A purity of fruit marks this Margaux with lots of currant and berry character. Full body, bright acidity and round tannins. It’s a larger and more expanded style of Margaux. A wine with a heart and body. Strong. 80 hectares planted with 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, with 2.5% Cabernet Franc and Petit verdot.
James Suckling 98-99/100
Price: € 2970
Château Palmer
I wrote that the 2015 was incredible, and this 2016 is again. It’s equally structured and powerful as the 2015, yet there’s an underlying intellectual serenity to this wine. You taste it, and you want to know and experience it even more. Extending 55 hectares, planted 47% with Cabernet Sauvignon, 47% Merlot and 6% Petit Verdot, since 2004, Palmer has been managed by Thomas Duroux, formerly a winemaker of Tenuta Dell’Ornellaia.
James Suckling 99-100/100
Price: € 1680
Pavillon Rouge du Château Margaux, 2nd Wine of Château Margaux
Very concentrated and tannic Pavillon Rouge. Muscular. Full body and lots of intense fruit. Four-square.
James Suckling 94-95/100
Price: € 780
Château Rauzan-Ségla
A solid red with currant and blackberry character. Full body, soft tannins and a flavorful finish. Shows richness and excitement. Juicy and sexy undertone to this.
James Suckling 96-97/100
Price: € 415.18
Château du Tertre
A dense and tight red with currants, blueberries and hints of walnuts. Changes from pure fruit and then back to wet earth. The purity in the cabernet, the linear tannins and the drive with acidity behind it makes it one of the best Tertres ever. Better than 2015. A 5ème Cru owned by Eric Albada Jelgersma, owner of the neighbouring estate Château Giscours. The vineyard area extends approximately 50 hectares consisting of the grape varieties of 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot.
James Suckling 94-95/100
Price: € 205.2
Château Brane-Cantenac
This is really strong from Brane-Cantenac this year with toned muscles and beautiful fruit. Full-bodied, chewy and polished. Shows wonderful intensity and density yet remains reserved and very tight. Very impressive from here. Grabs you. One of the best ever. Owned and managed by Henri Lurton, there has been extensive investment in cellar and vineyard, which has resulted in wines of more concentration and depth. Planted with Cabernet Sauvignon (55%), Merlot (40%), Cabernet Franc (4.5%) and Carmenère (0,5%).
James Suckling 94/100
Price: € 354.6
Château Cantenac-Brown
A young red with lovely density and richness defined by currant and light coffeebean character. Medium to full body and lightly chewy tannins. Lots here in the glass.
James Suckling 93-94/100
Price: € 268.18
Château Durfort Vivens
“This is really superb with beautiful density and ripe tannin texture. Full body and a round and polished texture. Rich and impressive but all in class. Made from biodynamic grapes. Almost all cabernet sauvignon.” – James Suckling
James Suckling 95-96/100
Price: € 274.2
Château Potensac
The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, quite linear at first, opening nicely in the mouth to reveal a spicy and lively middle and finish. This has a little more panache than the 2015 Potensac, more detail towards the finish, and it should give plenty of drinking pleasure over the next decade or more.
Price: € 124.2
Château Chasse-Spleen
Great structure and ageability for a Cru Bourgeois. A complex nose of ripe strawberry and black cherry with smoked meat notes. On the palate the wine is firm and linear, muscular and long. Selected as one of the six Crus Exceptionnels in the Cru Bourgeois classification of 1932, the estate is today widely considered to be of Crus Classé standard.
James Suckling 92-93/100
Price: € 151.8
Château Poujeaux
This has always represented great value, but since the 2008 purchase by Clos Fourtet owner Philippe Cuvelier and having brought in consultant oenologue Stephane Derononcourt, quality has reached new heights. A red with a tight palate of dark fruit and spices plus chewy tannins. Medium body, integrated tannins already and a chewy finish. Solid.
James Suckling 91-92/100
Price: € 148.2
Château Batailley
I thought the 2015 defined the new Batailley, but this is fantastic. Full-bodied and so tannic and powerful. Flavors of chocolate, coffee and spices. Excellent finish. Very muscular. Tight and precise.
James Suckling 95-96/100 , Wine Spectator 89-92/100
Price: € 239.7
Carruades de Lafite, 2nd Wine of Château Lafite Rothschild
The most tannic and textured Carruades ever. Full-bodied, big and powerful. Very, very long. New style?
James Suckling 94-95/100
Price: € 960
Château Clerc Milon
The 2016 Clerc Milon is a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot and 1% Carmenere. As well as depth and power there is real energy and poise in what to us in the Le Clos team feels like one of the best wines ever produced by this chateau. Although the most significant increase over the 2015 price, the Clerc Milon still looks good value as the brand is on fire currently and even lesser vintages are already at this price and far from the quality.
James Suckling 94-95/100
Price: € 354
Château d’Armailhac
d’Armailhac is looking like it will be hot property in 2016. Mouton Rothschild winemaker Philippe Dhalluin has kept on pushing up the quality of d’Armailhac since he took over in 2006. The 2016 is unanimously seen as one of, if not the best d’Armailhac ever produced. 95-96/100 from James Suckling is its highest ever score and positions among very prestigious, and often much more expensive company. Suckling is not alone. A potential 94 from Neal Martin proves that this is a serious wine. At less than 38 euros it has to be one of the bargains of 2016. The 2005 is now trading for around €50 with a quality far below the 2016.
James Suckling 95-96/100
Price: € 227.7
Château Duhart-Milon
Cherry, raspberry and violet notes on the nose. Fluid and elegant for a Pauillac this is mid weight and finishes fresh.
James Suckling 94-95/100
Price: € 381
Echo de Lynch-Bages, 2nd Wine of Château Lynch-Bages
The second wine of Lynch is linear and tight with beautiful blackberry and currant character. Medium to full body,firm tannins and an energetic finish. Super concentrated on the center palate.
James Suckling 93-94/100
Price: € 195.6
Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste
This is all about the finish with a sweet-tobacco, berry and light milk-chocolate character. Full body, very fine tannins and a juicy finish. Love the intensity and finesse at the end. Lots of energy. Could better the exquisite 2014. 90 hectares of vines (Cabernet Sauvignon 75%, Merlot 25%) in one block surrounding the substantial 19th century château, owned and run by François-Xavier Borie.
James Suckling 96-97/100
Price: € 405
Château Lafite Rothschild
Even stronger and more toned than the excellent 2015, this Lafite shows incredible power yet also finesse. Full-bodied, superfine and chewy wine. Muscular yet agile. Goes on for minutes. Stunning. Perhaps the greatest Lafite since the legendary 1959?
James Suckling 100/100
Price: € 3210
Château Pibran
This is the best Pibran ever with fantastic depth of fruit and velvety tannins. Gorgeous fruit and richness. Layered and excellent. Dynamite.
James Suckling 93-94/100
Price: € 165
Les Tourelles de Longueville, 2nd Wine of Château Pichon-Longueville Baron
The density and beauty to this second wine are superb with a rich palate and round and velvety tannins. Lots of blackberries and blackcurrants. Wow.
James Suckling 94-95/100
Price: € 168
Château Lynch-Bages
For ≤€115 we recommend Lynch Bages. A stalwart of Pauillac that over-delivers in the great vintages such as 2016.
James Suckling 97-99/100
Price: € 648
Château Mouton Rothschild
This is a phenomenal, muscular red that shows incredible power and depth. Full-bodied and with great concentration of tannins but this remains agile and polished. The form to this is stupendous. Such precision and clarity. The new 1986 but better.
James Suckling 100/100
Price: € 2970
Le Petit Mouton de Mouton Rothschild, 2nd Wine of Château Mouton Rothschild
This is a very powerful Petit Mouton with so much rich fruit and power. Fullbodied, tannic yet polished and long. Muscular for the second wine of Mouton.
James Suckling 95-96/100
Price: € 930
Château Pichon-Longueville Baron
I have been waiting for this for a long time. It’s a remake of the legendary 1990 Pichon Baron. Full body, ultra-polished yet powerful tannins and a glorious finish. The will evolve beautifully. The core of fruit and tannins are great. A truly great Pichon.
James Suckling 98-99/100
Price: € 763.18
Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande
Vibrant and fruity red with currant and raspberry character. Full body, round and velvety tannins and a vivid finish. Lots of energy here.
James Suckling 92-93/100
Price: € 804
Château Pontet-Canet
Vivid and full of energy with blackberry, currant and salt. Full body, intense and long. Harmony. Purpose. Classicism. The mineral and currant character is all year. A seamless tannin texture. Great wine. You want to drink it now!
James Suckling 98-99/100
Price: € 773.98
Réserve de la Comtesse
A dense and powerful second wine from PL with layers of fruit and ripe, silky tannins. Shows tension and verve as well as polish. Excellent.
James Suckling 93-94/100
Price: € 205.18
Château Grand-Puy-Ducasse
This has a very attractive bouquet with pure blackberry and raspberry coulis aromas, just that hint of pencil lead leading you towards Pauillac. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, plenty of sappy black fruit and a hint of tar and graphite towards the persistent finish.
Price: € 203.4
Domaine de Chevalier Rouge
A dense and tight DC with minerals, crushed stones, cement and blackcurrants. Full, tight and racy. Gorgeous. Leaf and tobacco undertones. Complex. One of the few estates ranked among the Crus Classé for red and white wine in the Classification of Graves wine of 1959, the vineyard area consists of 35 hectares of red grape varieties: 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 2.5% Cabernet Franc, and 2.5% Petit Verdot.
James Suckling 95-96/100
Price: € 365.4
Château Haut-Bailly
This young wine shows such pinpoint precision with a full body, dense fruit and gorgeous intensity. Muscular yet toned and beautiful. It really builds on the finish. Very fine-grained. So long and beautiful. Sophisticated power. 28 hectares of vineyards which are very well situated on high, gravelly ground just east of Léognan village. The wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (65%), Merlot (25%) and Cabernet Franc (10%), superbly run by Veronique Sanders.
James Suckling 98-99/100
Price: € 565.18
Château Haut-Brion
“This is a monument for Haut-Brion and reminds me of the great 1998 but in a modern and bright style. Full-bodied, very tannic and superbly structured yet always agile and vivid. Its energy and dynamic nature grabs you by the shoulder and tells you it’s great. Staggeringly precise. It can’t get better than this, can it?”James Suckling
James Suckling 94-95/100
Price: € 2898
La Chapelle de La Mission Haut-Brion, 2nd Wine of Château La Mission Haut-Brion
“Minerals and blueberries with plenty of blackcurrant character. Medium body and silky tannins. Pretty second wine of La Mission.” James Suckling
James Suckling 92-93/100
Price: € 450
Château La Mission Haut-Brion
“Every atom is infused with life-affirming freshness. It is a wine bridled with incredible focus and delineation. I thought that the 2015 La Mission Haut-Brion flirted with perfection. The 2016 has that extra edge, a “je ne sais quoi” that leaves you reaching for the thesaurus looking for superlatives. Drink 2026-2070.” Neal Martin
James Suckling 96-97/100
Price: € 2277
Château Olivier Rouge
Tight and chewy young red with plum and berry character plus hints of tobacco. Medium body and a solid core of fruit and tannins. Acquired by Alexandre de Bethmann former mayor of Bordeaux’s family in the 19th century, this château still remains the family’s property. Now managed by Laurent Lebrun who has overseen a replanting programme that is starting to pay dividends.
James Suckling 91-92/100
Price: € 150
Château Smith Haut Lafitte Rouge
In the best years the Cathiards pull together one of Bordeaux’s finest wines. Recommend this in every cellar.
James Suckling 97-98/100
Price: € 540.42
Le Parde de Haut-Bailly, 2nd wine of Château Haut-Bailly
It has a typical bouquet for the vintage with black fruit, smoke and a touch of bay leaf, a little reserved at first but opening with time. The palate is medium bodied with fine tannin on the entry. In a typical vintage, between thirty and forty percent of Haut Bailly is relegated to the estate’s second wine, produced since 1967, but under the name Domaine de la Parde until 1979.
Price: € 150
Château Latour-Martillac
Tight and lemony with lots of citrus character and phenolic texture. This is structured and very long. Linear. More like a red in texture. Serious.
James Suckling 93-94/100
Price: € 156.2
Château Malartic-Lagravière
This is so linear and refined with compacted fruit and superb tannin texture. The length and beauty to this grab you immediately and make you pay attention.
James Suckling 95-96/100
Price: € 279
Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion
Extremely long and erudite with crushed stones, blackberries and blueberries. Hints of fresh herbs. Full bodied, tight and polished. The balance and beauty are amazing. Salty and minerally. More polished than the 2015. Wait and see.
James Suckling 96-97/100
Price: € 391.18
Château Larrivet Haut-Brion
Solid red with a lovely core of ripe fruit and hot-stone character. Full body and soft and juicy tannins. Pretty young wine. May be the same level as the 2015.
James Suckling 93-94/100
Price: € 159
Le Clarence de Haut-Brion Rouge
“This is powerful and intense with lots of minerals, crushed stones and dark fruit. Dense and linear. Minerally and very energetic.” James Suckling
James Suckling 94-95/100
Price: € 690
Château Clinet
“This has so much violet and black-olive character to it. It’s full-bodied and powerful with incredible power and depth of old-vine tannins. It just rolls on and on. What a finish.” – James Suckling
James Suckling 94-95/100
Price: € 489
Château La Conseillante
This is the greatest Conseillante in modern times. Full body and incredible tannins that are polished and velvety. The texture lasts for minutes. I am speechless. What a young and awe-inspiring wine!
James Suckling 99-100/100
Price: € 1050
Château Gazin
Tight and silky with plum, blackberry and blueberry character. Medium-to fullbodied, firm and silky. Very linear and bright. A pretty follow-up to the stupendous 2015.
James Suckling 94-95/100
Price: € 414
Château La Fleur-Pétrus
It has a very intense bouquet with blackberries and sloes, whilst maintaining delineation and focus, almost pastille-like in style. The palate is medium-bodied with fine, supple tannin. It offers black fruit infused with melted tar and graphite notes, the Cabernet Franc imparting a very subtle bell pepper note towards the finish.
James Suckling 98-99/100
Price: € 1120
Château Lafleur
Excellent density and tannin backbone for the vintage with chewy, polished tannins and plenty of fruit. Full body and a fresh finish. One to follow.
James Suckling 93-93/100
Price: € 3075
Château Latour à Pomerol
The palate is medium-bodied with gritty tannin on the entry, plenty of tobacco and cedar notes lending it a Left Bank-like personality, a touch rigid towards the finish.
James Suckling 93-94/100
Price: € 342
Château Le Gay
The nose handles the new oak in stride with very pure, almost Côtes de Nuitslike red cherry and strawberry fruit, a patina of vanilla emanating from the wood. The palate is silky smooth on the entry with black cherry and blueberry fruit, a fine line of acidity, very polished in style with a gentle grip on the finish.
James Suckling 98-99/100
Price: € 589.8
Château L’Eglise Clinet
This has so much violet and black-olive character to it. It’s full-bodied and powerful with incredible power and depth of old-vine tannins. It just rolls on and on. What a finish.
James Suckling 98-99/100
Price: € 1552.8
Château L’Évangile
Owned by Lafite, the vineyard lies in a cluster with Vieux Château Certan, Château Pétrus, Château La Conseillante, near the border of Saint-Émilion and its nearest estate Château Cheval Blanc.”This is a remake of the great 2015 but it’s much finer and more sophisticated. Such great quality and very sexy. Full body and ultra-polished and clean tannins. Salty, dark fruit. Superb length. Want to drink it!” – James Suckling
James Suckling 98-99/100
Price: € 1204.8
Manoir de Gay, 2nd Wine of Château Le Gay
The nose is very high toned and was showing a little volatility at this early stage. It is a bit glossy. The palate is medium-bodied with ripe tannin, moderate acidity, smooth in texture and very polished in style. It just needs to demonstrate more complexity on the finish.
Price: € 148.18
Château Petit-Village
Layered and intense with a fantastic depth of fruit and finesse. Full body, very fine yet chewy tannins and a long and flavorful finish. Close to the excellent 2015.
James Suckling 94-95/100
Price: € 366
Château Rouget
A red with a full body, round and juicy tannins and plenty of fruit. It’s got plenty ahead for its transformation in barrel. Excited with this one. Better than the 2015. 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc on 17 hectares located near Eglise-Clinet, Petrus and Le Gay. Château Rouget with vines around 40 years old is generally recognised as one of the fastest improving château on the right bank.
James Suckling 94-95/100
Price: € 256.77
Château Trotanoy
The palate is medium-bodied with firm structure, slightly chalky tannins surrounded by wondrous, vibrant black fruit that shimmers in the glass. It is a brilliant Trotanoy that is bound up with energy and tension. Superb from start to finish, this is likely to surpass the 2015 and is one of the stars of Pomerol this vintage. 7.2 hectares planted with 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc superbly run by Christian Moueix of Petrus fame.
James Suckling 97-98/100
Price: € 1300
Château La Violette
The palate is full-bodied, although certainly not as glossy or as flamboyant as older vintages of La Violette. It is well balanced, overtly modern in style and very polished as always. Planted with 90% Merlot which is close to 50 years old and 10% Cabernet Franc. The estate is managed by Henri Parent, the son of the legendary Catherine Pere-Verge.
James Suckling 96-97/100
Price: € 1230.27
Château Certan de May
“This is really powerful with big tannins and strong acidity. Full and intense. A wine for long-term aging yet one that offers accessibility at the same time. This estate is on a roll now.” – James Suckling
James Suckling 97-98/100
Price: € 598.78
Château Lafleur Gazin
The palate is a little leafy on the entry with a grainy texture, a more masculine and “correct” Pomerol, nicely balanced and gently gripping on the finish.
James Suckling 92-93/100
Price: € 162
Château La Grave
The palate is medium-bodied with blackcurrant and bilberry on the entry. I would have just liked to see a little more detail on the palate, more roundness on the entry, although it is fresh and has decent length.
Price: € 180
La Petite Eglise
It has a pure and elegant bouquet with a hint of oyster shell infusing the red berry fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, bright redcurrant and cranberry notes and fine acidity, tender and refined towards the finish.
James Suckling 94-95/100
Price: € 209.38
Château Nenin
A linear and dense wine that sneaks up on you with fantastic depth of fruit and structure. Full and racy. Shows finesse and muscle. Better than 2015?
James Suckling 95-96/100
Price: € 333.3
Vieux Château Certan
The balance and finesse to this wine are really beautiful with ultra-fine tannins and beautiful fruit. It’s full and structured yet so long and intense. It’s a wine that seduces you with every sip — already. Great selection here. Quite simply turbocharged.
James Suckling 98-99/100
Price: € 1320
Château Angelus
Arguably a star that is already risen, Angelus has, since its promotion to 1er Grand Cru Classé A in 2012, firmly estabished itself at the top level a Saint Émilion can acheive. Incredible depth of fruit to this Angélus, which is dense yet also agile and energetic. There’s just so much dynamic fruit and tannin structure. Makes you want to taste and taste. What a young wine! We will see if 2016 is better than 2015. Both are great.
James Suckling 99-100/100
Price: € 2058
Château Ausone
This is one of the most subtle and ethereal Ausones I have encountered in a while. It’s a full-bodied wine, yet one that’s very refined in texture, all the way to the extremely long finish. Shows real dignity and character. A throwback to the great years. 7.3 hectares of vines (Merlot 50%, Cabernet Franc 50%) flourish on a steep, south-east facing slope planted on both plateau and côtes of St Emilion. An almost perfect St Emilion terroir.
James Suckling 97-98/100
Price: € 4017.02
Château Beau-Séjour Bécot
Deservedly reinstated after being stripped of its 1er Grand Cru Classé status in 1985, 20 hectares are superbly sited on a limestone plateau in the north-west part of the appellation. A blend of 70% Merlot, 24% Cabernet Franc and 6% Cabernet Sauvignon. This is really beautiful in 2016 showing blackberry, blueberry and walnut character. Full-bodied, tight and focussed with fantastic length. Serious. Best ever modern vintage?
James Suckling 93-94/100
Price: € 340.18
Château Beauséjour Duffau Lagarrosse
“Is this the twin brother of the amazing 2015? We will see. What a superb density and richness with bright and intense tannins that are buttressed with fresh acidity. Beautiful finish.” – James Suckling
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James Suckling 98-99/100
Price: € 576
Château Canon
Very intense aromas already of pure berry, mineral and spice. Full body yet refined and tight with gorgeous linear and refined character. Beautiful and classic beauty.
James Suckling 96-97/100
Price: € 495
Château Canon-la-Gaffelière
Lovely silky texture and dark fruit to this wine underlining richness and decadence. Medium to full body and a long finish.
James Suckling 95-96/100
Price: € 436.8
Château Cheval Blanc
This is very powerful Cheval with searing tannins and bright fruit, acidity and mineral undertones. Full and muscular yet beautifully formed and polished. It’s all about the form to this. Better than 2015. 37ha are planted with 57% Cabernet Franc, 40% Merlot, and small parcels of Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon. Owned by Bernard Arnault of luxury group LVMH.
James Suckling 98-99/100
Price: € 2099.17
Le Dragon de Quintus
The second wine of Quintus, this is made by the team from Domaine Clarence Dillon, who manage châteaux Haut-Brion and La Mission Haut-Brion.. It is a blend of 54% Merlot and 46% Cabernet Franc. Blackcurrant and bilberry scents, a touch of pressed flowers with time.The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin: blackberry mingling with white pepper and cloves, nicely balanced with commendable presence on the grainy finish.
James Suckling 94-95/100
Price: € 165
Clos de l’Oratoire
Lovely silky tannins and juicy fruit. Medium body and pretty energy. Lots of walnut, crushed-stone and subtle fruit flavors. Very fine.
James Suckling 94-95/100
Price: € 202.8
Clos Fourtet
This is a solid and structured 2016 with fabulous density and freshness. Full bodied yet vibrant and exciting.
James Suckling 95-96/100
Price: € 565.18
Château Figeac
It has a crisp blackberry nose, a little closed at first, opening nicely in the glass and offering raspberry coulis, pencil box and subtle mint aromas. he palate is extraordinarily well balanced with a fine lattice of tannin sculpted to perfection.
James Suckling 96-97/100
Price: € 1096.18
La Chapelle de Ausone, 2nd Wine of Château Ausone
A firm and silky red with lovely plum and berry character plus hints of wet earth and rose petals. Medium-bodied, very fine and wonderfully juicy. Another wine with finesse and length.
James Suckling 93-94/100
Price: € 1032.6
Château Larcis Ducasse
This is very polished and beautiful with ultra-fine tannins and a long, linear finish. It has a density and beauty that seduces you. Neighbouring Château Pavie and headed up by Nicolas Thienpont (of Château Pavie Macquin repute) and Stephane Derenoncourt, this château is located on one of Bordeaux’s finest strips of terroir – the Côte de Pavie in St Emilion. 10 hectares of 65% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon.
James Suckling 95-96/100
Price: € 361.8
Château Monbousquet
The palate is quite rich and generous on the opening with layers of blackberry and raspberry laced with graphite and a pinch of cracked black pepper. It tapers in a little towards the finish, completing a bold and assertive. Acquired by the Parisian supermarket owner Gérard Perse in 1993, who later bought Château Pavie, Monbousquet was elevated to Grand Cru Classé status in 2006. 32 hectares are planted to 60% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon.
James Suckling 94-95/100
Price: € 262.2
Le Carillon de l’Angelus, 2nd Wine of Château Angelus
This is a fantastic second wine with walnut, berry, stone and bark character. The texture is really excellent with a chewy yet ultra-polished mouthfeel. Long and intense. Better than the 2015.
James Suckling 94-95/100
Price: € 489
Château Pavie-Macquin
This is a really fantastic PM! The licorice, fresh mushroom, sous bois and stone character is so exciting. It’s full and very layered with exceptional depth and length. Compressed and focused. Pure silk.
James Suckling 97-98/100
Price: € 406.18
Le Tertre Roteboeuf
Always an incredibly exciting release as this is a wine produced in tiny quantities, almost Burgundian in its scarcity compared to the rest of Bordeaux. Antonio Galloni is spot on when he describes the wines made by the father and daughter team of Francois and Nina Mitjavile as “uncompromisingly gorgeous”. The 2016 Le Tertre Roteboeuf is a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc from very low yields delivering fresh yet unctuous wines that are delicious at every stage of a long evolution in the bottle.
James Suckling 96-98/100
Price: € 888
Château Troplong Mondot
Tar and blackberries here on the palate with very polished tannins and dense, beautiful fruit. Tight and centered. Wow. Can it be better than the 2015? We will see.
James Suckling 96-97/100
Price: € 687.62
Château Valandraud
The palate is succulent on the entry with fine tannin, crisp and focused with superb definition, a little more finesse than the 2015 last year with a slightly confit-like finish that grips the mouth.
James Suckling 94-95/100
Price: € 876
Château Fombrauge
The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, linear but fresh with a grippy, slightly tarry finish that lingers in the mouth. Owned by Bernard Magrez of Pape Clement fame, the 77% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Sauvignon and 14% Cabernet Franc sees 50% new oak.
James Suckling 93-94/100
Price: € 117
Virginie de Valandraud
The palate is well balanced with crisp tannin, nicely focused and full of tension. There is an almost Médoc-like structure to this Saint Emilion with a long and impressive spicy finish. This Virginie excels in 2016, and it should age with style.
James Suckling 92-93/100
Price: € 204.62
Château Saintayme
“This is very dense and beautiful yet it’s agile and exciting. Blueberries, chocolate and walnuts. Full to medium body and beautiful length. Juicy center palate of fruit.” – Jame Suckling
James Suckling 92-93/100
Price: € 73.8
Château Côte de Baleau
Has a lovely, very pretty bouquet with ebullient red cherry and crushed strawberry fruit with beautifully integrated oak. The palate is medium-bodied with precise, carefully placed tannin.
Price: € 110.4
Château Fleur Cardinale
A dense and layered red with blackberry and blueberry character. Hints of stones and minerals. Full body and chewy tannins. Serious potential.
James Suckling 94-95/100
Price: € 210
Château Grand Mayne
The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, crisp acidity, almost Pomerol-like in style with more mineralité and refinement on the finish. This is a new style of Grand-Mayne, and frankly, it is one of the best I have tasted from this Saint Emilion estate.
Price: € 207
Château Pavie
Now a first growth of Bordeaux, Pavie is not for the faint hearted or the impatient. This is a wine that requires 20 years of ageing. The property is on the rise and we think a wise investment.
James Suckling 99-100/100
Price: € 1954.8
Le Petit Cheval
This is a red with pinpoint but also beautiful tannin, fruit and acid focus. Medium to full body and a tight center palate. Creamy texture. Really excellent. Best second wine of Cheval Blanc in years.
James Suckling 93-94/100
Price: € 805.18
Château Fonplégade
Tight and layered with beautiful fruit here. Full and chewy. Lots going on here. Interested to see its evolution. Not the great 2015 but impressive. From organically grown grapes.
James Suckling 95-96/100
Price: € 175.8
Le Dôme
Plenty of fruit density and richness with plum and blueberry character. Medium to full body, juicy finish. Very attractive already. Layered and so fine. Beautiful polish. Love it already. Very long finish.
James Suckling 95-96/100
Price: € 678
Château Puy-Blanquet
It has plenty of lush red cherry and cranberry fruit on the nose, a smear of vanilla from the new oak that will be subsumed by the time of bottling. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly rustic tannin.
James Suckling 90-91/100
Price: € 73.82
Château La Gaffelière
Dynamically and minerally young wine with blackberry and blueberry character. Full body. Firm tannins and a fresh finish. Shows structure and intensity. Focused and classy. Love the finish.
James Suckling 95-96/100
Price: € 318
Château Cos d’Estournel
The first major release of the campaign, Cos d’Estournel released its 2016 wines way ahead of its usual release positioning, maintaining its 2015 pricing. The 2016 is full of the exuberance and complexity we expect of Cos d’Estournel in a ripe vintage. At €140 per bottle the 2016 looks very good value against the 2009 and 2010 trading at €230 and €180 respectively.
The second wine Les Pagodes is also a triumph
James Suckling 97-98/100
Price: € 834
La Dame de Montrose, 2nd Wine of Château Montrose
A blend of 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 11% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc there is concentration and length that makes it hard to believe this is a second wine.
James Suckling 91-92/100
Price: € 184.8
Château Lafon-Rochet
Plenty of fruit and concentration to this wine, and it’s buttressed by the tannins. Muscular and intense. Full-bodied yet reserved and tight. Excellent.
James Suckling 93-94/100
Price: € 229.77
Les Pagodes de Cos, 2nd Wine of Château Cos d’Estournel
The brightness and focus to this second wine of Cos are certainly impressive. You can see the quality. Full body, a tight and focused palate and beautiful fruit and density. Ultra-fine tannins. Gorgeous. Sophisticated.
James Suckling 93-94/100
Price: € 222
Château Montrose
This second growth St Estephe has a glorious view over the Gironde in the Southern section of St Estephe. Re-invigorated by Bouygues family, Montrose is going from strength to strength. With significant investment behind him, Herve Berland (formely of Mouton Rothschild) continues to direct operations at the Chateau and describes the 2016 Montrose as “a cage Lion” – this is a must-have for any significant cellar. The 2016 Grand Vin was produced from just 36% of the crop, blending 68% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot and 7% Cabernet Franc. Allocations are tight for Montrose this year. If you do want some we urge you to let us know as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
James Suckling 97-98/100
Price: € 714
Château Les Ormes de Pez
Powerful and structured with lots of blueberry, blackberry and currant character. Full-bodied, tight and tannic yet polished and beautiful. Fantastic. Juicy. Owned by the Cazes family, there are 32 hectares of vineyards, which lie on soils rich in gravel on a subsoil of sand and clay. They are planted with 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc
James Suckling 93-94/100
Price: € 147.6
Château Phélan-Ségur
A super fragrant red with blackberry and blueberry aromas plus hints ofblackcurrants. Full-bodied, powerful and structured. Tannic. Very long finish. A muscular and intense wine.
James Suckling 94-95/100
Price: € 223.18
Château Meyney
Savoury notes of black tea and licorice on blackcurrant, full bodied with crunchy tannins and wood smoke on the finish. This is a wine of impressive depth. Located in the east of the appellation, next to Château Montrose, Meyney’s 51 hectares of vineyards consists of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 10% Petit Verdot but often upping the Merlot content to give body and opulence.
Price: € 143.4
Château Calon Ségur
We don’t just love this wine because of the heart on the label. This is going to be one of the hottest wines of the vintage.
James Suckling 98-99/100
Price: € 438
Château Haut-Marbuzet
Tangy and energetic with a mineral, dried-lemon and dark berry character. Full body and chewy tannins. All here.
James Suckling 92-93/100
Price: € 201
Château Beychevelle
This fourth growth St-Julien estate spans 250 hectares of which 90 are planted, with 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. Joint owners Castel and Suntory have invested heavily in recent years and this is the first vintage from their stunning new cellar. The Le Clos team are very happy to offer this elegant and refined Beychevelle lauded as one of the finest ever.
James Suckling 94-95/100
Price: € 400.8
Château Branaire-Ducru
Since Patrick Maroteaux took over 4th growth St. Julien Branaire Ducru in the 1980’s the wines have leapt dramatically in quality, thanks to his investment in the winery and vineyard and not to mention the early influence of winemaker Philippe Dhalluin (now technical director at Mouton Rothschild).
James Suckling describes Branaire Ducru 2016 as the best wine he has ever tasted from the estate, awarding it with a score of 95-96. Roger Voss of the Wine Enthusiast who gave this 95-97 points describes Branaire Ducru 2016 as “Superbly ripe and juicy” and goes on to add “this is a solid, powerful wine that also is packed with black currant fruits.”
James Suckling 95-96/100
Price: € 277.2
La Croix de Beaucaillou, 2nd Wine of Château Ducru-Beaucaillou
Silky but rich with blackberry and black cherry notes, hints of mocha and toast on the elegant finish. Resulting from a strict selection process at Ducru Beaucaillou, this wine is aged for 18 months in 50% to 80% new oak barrels Bruno Borie has been aiming for 5th growth quality with this wine.
James Suckling 94-95/100
Price: € 234.6
Clos du Marquis
The clarity and beauty of this young red are brilliant with blackberry, blueberry and mineral undertones. Full and racy. Long and wonderfully polished. Racy. Better than the 2015.
James Suckling 94-95/100
Price: € 273
Connétable de Talbot, 2nd Wine of Château Talbot
Has a very light and rather anonymous bouquet that needs to express more fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with a leafy opening, taut in style with a rather austere finish. Full and silky, with fine tannins, blackcurrant and chocolate character. Impressive for a second wine.
Price: € 120
Château Ducru-Beaucaillou
Very focused and reserved with a mineral, blackberry, licorice and blackcurrant character. Full and refined. Walking a tightrope between steely tannins and and dark fruit. This is highly intellectual and unique. Great finish.
James Suckling 97-98/100
Price: € 962.37
Château Gruaud-Larose
Full-bodied, layered and juicy young wine. Very tannic yet ripe and intense. Powerful finish. This will be excellent. Better than the 2015. 84 hectares of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, located on a gravel-rich plateau just to the west of Château Beychevelle. Vinification takes place in a mixture of wooden vats and cement tanks and the wine is aged in oak barriques (30% new) for 18 months.
James Suckling 95-96/100
Price: € 366
Château Lagrange
Powerful red with a rich and tannic center palate. Full body, lots of depth and a long and chewy finish. Indeed, this shows potential. Much better than the 2015.
James Suckling 90-93/100
Price: € 238.2
Château Lalande de Borie
This is very linear and refined with tight-grained tannins and blackberry and blackcurrant character. Shows such finesse and beauty. One of best from here in a long time.
James Suckling 92-93/100
Price: € 132
Château Langoa-Barton
Black cherry, with blackcurrant and baking spice with hints of cigar box. The palate is dense with good fruit and hints of licorice. This 3ème Cru was purchased by Irishman Hugh Barton in 1821 and has remained in the Barton family ever since. It is composed of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot.
James Suckling 94-95/100
Price: € 248.4
Château Léoville-Barton
Tight and chewy with a solid tannin structure and depth of fruit. Full body and lots of depth and texture. A Barton with lots happening already. Develops beautifully on the palate. Should be better than the 2015.
James Suckling 95-96/100
Price: € 423.01
Château Léoville-Las Cases
A unique Las Cases that harkens back to some of the great classics such as 1985 or 1986.
James Suckling 98-99/100
Price: € 1191.62
Château Léoville-Poyferré
The buildup on the palate is impressive with blackberry and blueberry character. Plenty of currants, too. Full-bodied, linear and tight. Racy tannins and a long finish. Shows tension, depth, real raciness and pure finesse.
James Suckling 95-96/100
Price: € 451.18
Le Petit Lion du Marquis de Las-Cases, 2nd Wine of Château Léoville-Las Cases
Linear and tight with firm yet silky tannins. It’s very tight and structured, offering classic Bordeaux strength and personality. Full-bodied yet reserved.
James Suckling 93-94/100
Price: € 244.77
Château Saint-Pierre
Blueberry, blackberry and fresh currant-leaf character. Full bodied, refined, beautiful, dense and tight. Great depth. Best ever. An elegant style, this is the smallest and least well-known of the Saint Julien crus. Just 17 hectares of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. It is aged in oak barrels (50% new) for 18 months.
James Suckling 94-95/100
Price: € 321.6
Sarget de Gruaud Larose, 2nd Wine of Château Gruaud-Larose
A medium-bodied red with blackberry and plum character, fine tannins and a fresh finish. Second wine of Gruaud-Larose.
James Suckling 95-96/100
Price: € 111
Château Talbot
A full-bodied red that stays in check with a firm and lightly chewy tannin backbone. Full body and an intense finish. Shows excellent potential.
James Suckling 92-93/100
Price: € 292.2
Château Gloria
Dense and layered red with berry and tobacco character, a full body and a savory finish. Got it all here.
James Suckling 93-94/100
Price: € 210.6
Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey
This is really crazy. The layers of fruit to this and the sheer intensity are really superb. Full bodied and very sweet yet energetic and focused. Dense and tight.
James Suckling 98-99/100
Price: € 237.62
Château Rieussec
Lots of botrytis here in addition to dried mushrooms and dried fruit such as pineapple and peaches. Medium to full body. Medium sweet. Very long and intense. A triumph.
James Suckling 88-90/100
Price: € 283.2
Château Suduiraut
This has so much botrytis/spice character. Dried-mushroom powder as well. Full yet round and gorgeous. Exuberant softness. Very sweet and complex. Complete Sauternes. Classified as a 1er Cru Classé in 1855, since 1992 Suduiraut has been owned by AXA which also owns Château Pichon-Longueville in Pauillac and Château Petit-Village in Pomerol. Their 90 hectares of vineyards are planted with 80% Sémillon and 20% Sauvignon Blanc.
James Suckling 92-93/100
Price: € 309
L’Extravagant de Doisy Daëne, Barsac
The palate is unctuous on the entry, and yet that is barely noticeable thanks to the killer line of acidity (exactly like the 2014 I tasted beforehand). The is a vivid, extraordinary Sauternes that is difficult to fault.
* price is per case of 24 x 375ml bottles
Price: € 1896