2016 Bordeaux

2016 Bordeaux – Fill your cellar for under £250 a case

By on 18/06/2017

We sample a staggering number of wines during the tastings of en primeur week and there is always a treasure trove of beautifully made and very well priced options. There are particularly rich pickings in a vintage with the quality and consistency of 2016. The *Fill your cellar for under £250 a dozen* list is our pick of the bunch. £2k could easily get you 10 cases of superb claret that will bring huge amounts of pleasure in the years ahead

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2016 Bordeaux – a ‘regal’ Lafite and a ‘voluptuous’ Vieux Château Certan

By on 14/06/2017

The (lengthy) en primeur show is drawing to a close but there are still a couple of the greatest hits left. First is LAFITE, out today at £2,950 per 6 bottles IB. Alongside HAUT BRION (now sold out) this was the first-growth that most impressed us en primeur. We found it silky, dense and brooding but still unbelievably pure.

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2016 Bordeaux – Léoville Las Cases, L’Église-Clinet, La Petite Église, Ausone

By on 12/06/2017

Today's releases include some of the top-rated wines from the vintage. The Chateaux certainly believe they have produced something very special, wines that are blessed with genuine greatness. The critics seem to agree. Léoville Las Cases, L'Église-Clinet and Ausone are all touching 100 points. Sadly, but perhaps unsurprisingly, the pricing reflects the hype and the high scores.

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2016 Bordeaux – Ducru-Beaucaillou, Léoville Poyferré, Carmes Haut-Brion, Clinet

By on 08/06/2017

Two of the big-guns from Saint-Julien are out. DUCRU BEAUCAILLOU is at £852 per 6 bottles IB. Neal Martin scored this a very impressive 96-98/100. Galloni rated it 94-97/100 and called it 'simply magnificent', and 'one of the highlights of the vintage'. We found it had lovely even-toned harmonious fruit, beautifully pitched tannin, and remarkable concentration.

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2016 Bordeaux – Clos Fortet, La Mondotte, Le Gay, La Violette, Durfort Vivens

By on 07/06/2017

CLOS FOURTET is out at £500 per 6 bottles IB. Now this is really top-quality Saint Emilion. There are all the elements you'd expect in abundance; a concentrated smokey nose, a really dense and polished black fruit core, and that inimitable mineral undertow which holds it all together.

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2016 Bordeaux – Leoville Barton, Margaux, Pavillion Rouge

By on 06/06/2017

Out today is LÉOVILLE BARTON  at £372.50 per 6 bottles IB. The Wine Spectator gave this an outstanding 96-99/100(!). Jancis absolutely loved it too, scoring it 18/20. She praised its 'glorious texture and flavour' and called it a 'really a standout Barton.' Jane Anson hailed it 'a total triumph' and her 'favourite for years at this property' (96/100).

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