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Lea & Sandeman Wine Merchants

CHÂTEAU LE THIL

2016 Pessac-Léognan

Grapes Merlot
Colour Red
Origin France, Bordeaux
Village Pessac-Léognan
ABV 14%

Le Thil is a rather lovely estate which neighbours Smith Haut Lafitte. The Cathiards (of Smith) bought the Château and part of the vineyard four years ago. This vintage is 100% Merlot, and will spend 12 months in barrel, with 30% new wood. Florence Cathiard describes this as 'the Pomerol of Pessac-Leognan'. Fresh and very attractive supple and juicy wine. Good volume in the middle and a suave very fine-tannined fruit-filled finish. A production of only 6-800 cases a year. Good Value. Drinking range: 2020 - 2032 Rating: 90-92 L&S (Apr 2017)


Alternatively, we may well have some bottles in one of our shops - why not give us a call on 0207 244 0522 or send an email to: sales@leaandsandeman.co.uk.

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Located just across the street from Smith Haut Lafitte (the same team makes it), the 2016 Château Le Thil comes from more clay and limestone soils and is all Merlot. This medium to full-bodied effort offers a fresh, seamless, elegant character as well as beautiful fruit, notes of leafy herbs and earth, light tannins, and a balanced mouthfeel. It’s an outstanding Graves to drink over the coming 10-15 years. Drinking range: 2019 - 2034 Rating: 90 Jeb Dunnuck, www.jebdunnuck.com (Feb 2019)

The 2016 Le Thil, 100% Merlot on clay/limestone, is absolutely delicious. Dark cherry, chocolate, cloves, lavender and menthol infuse this dark, sumptuous Pessac-Léognan. Plush and wonderfully deep, the 2016 hits all the right notes. The 2016 offers serious quality at a very modest price tag. Drinking range: 2021 - 2031 Rating: 92 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Jan 2019)

The 2016 Le Thil, which is pure Merlot on clay-limestone soils, has a ripe blueberry and dark plum bouquet that conveys a sense of purity. The palate is smooth in the mouth, easy-drinking and silky in texture. The 30% new oak is very discreet, hints of vanilla emerging toward the spicy finish. Drinking range: 2020 - 2030 Rating: 90 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Jan 2019)

Château Le Thil

A very pretty little Château set in parkland, with 11 hectares of vines attached, on the top and south-facing slope of a clay-limestone hillock. The clay soil has prompted the planting of a high proportion of Merlot, and Florence Cathiard calls this 'the Pomerol of Pessac-Leognan'. The Cathiards of Smith Haut Lafitte bought the property in 2012, reuniting it with Smith, as it has previously been under the same ownership in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, and the two Châteaux were linked by a long drive. Viticulture is done in the same way as at Smith, using the Cathiards system of 'bio-precision'. This is a wine at a modest price which benefits from all the expertise of its great neighbour, and is excellent value.

This wine isn't currently part of a mixed case, but you can always browse our full selection of mixed cases here.
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