Wine Advocate (98+)

Composed of 74% Merlot and 26% Cabernet Franc and aged for 18 months in 70% new French barriques, the 2016 Canon is medium to deep garnet-purple in color, and—WOW—it opens with the most stunning perfume of violets, red roses and kirsch, giving way to a core of black cherry preserves, chocolate box, licorice, warm plums and Chinese five spice plus an earthy waft of underbrush. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is completely filled with expressive, perfumed black berry layers accented by lively red fruits and exotic spices, supported by impressively fine-grained tannins and fantastic tension, finishing very long with jaw-dropping energy. Tasted three times, I had one opportunity to taste the 2015 and 2016 Canon side by side. While I love the bold, rich, seductive nature of the 2015, this 2016 kicks it up a notch in terms of polish, precision, depth and persistence. Most notably, the superbly ripe, exquisitely fine-grained tannins on this 2016 bring to the table a whole other level of sophistication. Bravo!

A radiant gem among fine wines, Canon Chaigneau 2016 hails from the heartland of French viticulture, Bordeaux's esteemed Lalande-de-Pomerol. A meticulouly-crafted blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, it owes its elegance and structure to vines averaging 35 years of age gracing gravel over clay soils. Its birth in stainless steel vats was followed by a dexterous finessing for 13 months in French oak barrels.

An instance of Château Chaigneau's exemplary stewardship, Canon Chaigneau 2016 offers an aromatic barrage of ripe black fruits, notes of truffle, and an endearing undercurrent of minerality, culminating in a finish that lingers delicately on the palate. As it distances from its well-rounded youth, it unfurls into a richer, more complex marvel, a testament to the deft marriage of terroir and traditional vinification. Capturing the quintessence of Bordeaux's winemaking pedigree, Canon Chaigneau 2016 remains a cherished offering from Château Chaigneau.

The Wine Independent (98)

The 2016 Canon la Gaffeliere has a deep garnet color. It bursts on the scene with exuberant notes of juicy blackberries, plum preserves, and fruit cake, plus suggestions of clove oil, mocha, and Indian spices. The full-bodied palate is full-on rich and decadent, featuring velvety tannins and just enough freshness to match the concentrated black fruit and spicy layers, finishing with epic length.

The Wine Independent (98)

The 2016 Canon la Gaffeliere has a deep garnet color. It bursts on the scene with exuberant notes of juicy blackberries, plum preserves, and fruit cake, plus suggestions of clove oil, mocha, and Indian spices. The full-bodied palate is full-on rich and decadent, featuring velvety tannins and just enough freshness to match the concentrated black fruit and spicy layers, finishing with epic length.

Wine Enthusiast (95)

This is another successful vintage from this estate. It is so finely structured that you notice the blackberry fruit more than the tannins, with a seam of crisp acidity throughout.

Wine Enthusiast (95)

This is another successful vintage from this estate. It is so finely structured that you notice the blackberry fruit more than the tannins, with a seam of crisp acidity throughout.

Vinous - Neal Martin (95)

The 2016 Cantenac Brown seems to have grown aromatically since I last tasted it a few months ago. More complex than I remember, this offers a cornucopia of scents: blackberry, briary, cedar and a lovely mintiness that recalls Palmer. The palate is silky smooth with great depth and delineation, satin-like, multi-layered, precocious black fruit laced with black pepper, tea leaves and cloves, all fanning out gloriously towards the finish. Bon vin! Tasted at the Cantenac Brown vertical at the château.

An exceptional Bordeaux blend, Cap Saint George 2016 from France’s prestigious Saint Georges Saint Émilion appellation, impresses with sumptuous flavours and distinguished pedigree. This regal blend expertly marries Cabernet Franc and Merlot, cultivated in the esteemed vineyards of JCP Maltus, distinguished producers of world-class wines since 1994. Cap Saint George 2016 is awash with the prestige of the 'clay-limestone' soil in which its grapes have flourished, yielding a pronounced flavour profile.

This liquescent treasure unveils intoxicating aromas of ripe red fruit layered with subtle mocha nuances. On the palate, it is beautifully balanced, showing poised tannins and an elegant, lingering finish. The wine’s complexity has been honed through 18 months in new and one-year-old French oak barrels, adding layers of sophistication. Fans of Cap Saint George 2016 can expect a wine that captures the quintessence of the exceptional terroir from which it springs.

James Suckling (92-93)

Love the stone, tar and black currant in this. Full and tight with firm and silky tannins and a long, long finish. Spicy, too. Can’t wait to see how this evolves. Serious.

The fragrant symbolism of Burgundy eloquently assails the senses with the Caroline Morey Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Caillerets 2016, a sophisticated tipple paying homage to the idyllic Chassagne-Montrachet region in France. This consummate selection from an exceptional year within the vineyards demonstrates an intricately woven map of minerality and persistent acidity brought about by limestone-rich soils.

Wine producer Caroline Morey, renowned for her meticulous approach to viticulture, carefully cultivates the chardonnay grapes ensuring choicest quality. The wine rests in 350l barrels with 30% new oak for a period of 15 months, manifesting an eloquent balance of texture and complexity. Pale yellow, with floral hints and a distinctive citrus finale it offers layers of depth and character. Expect an invigorating journey of palate discovery with each sip of the Caroline Morey Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Caillerets 2016. A premier wine indeed.

James Suckling (94-95)

The most tannic and textured Carruades ever. Full-bodied, big and powerful. Very, very long. New style?

Immerse yourself in the lavish profile of the Castagnier Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Amoureuses 2016. This exquisite red wine is meticulously nurtured within the esteemed Castagnier vineyards, nestled in the heart of French Burgundy region, Chambolle-Musigny. Renowned winegrower, Jerome Castagnier, applies precise, traditional techniques to extract the rich flavours synonymous with the area's limestone and chalk-rich soil.

The 2016 vintage presents an opulent blend of Pinot Noir, emanating complex aromas of ripe cherry, rose petals, and subtle earthy undertones. On the palate, the Castagnier Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Amoureuses 2016 is silky smooth with a quenching acidity and long-lasting finish, reflecting a splendid ripeness derived from the exceptional 2016 conditions.

Famed for its superior quality and age-worthiness, this wine makes a captivating addition to a discerning collector's cellar. Savour the Castagnier Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Amoureuses 2016 for an unforgettable journey to the celebrated terroir of Burgundy.

Discover the inimitable allure of Cauhape Jurancon Quintessence Petit Manseng 2016. This much sought after vintage hails from the acclaimed Jurancon region nestled in the heart of Southwest France. Exclusively produced by Dominique and Carole Zèmmer at the esteemed Domaine Cauhape, the wine is a reflection of their unwavering commitment to quality.

Masterfully crafted from 100% Petit Manseng grapes, the Quintessence Petit Manseng 2016 brilliantly encapsulates the unique terroir of Jurancon. Handpicked and carefully sorted, the grapes are then vinified and aged in oak barrels, contributing to its exceptional complexities. The wine's notable freshness elegantly intermingles with rich layers of tropical fruits and sweet spice aromas, achieving a harmonious balance.

This masterpiece is a testament to the art of winemaking at Domaine Cauhape. The Cauhape Jurancon Quintessence Petit Manseng 2016 is, in essence, a sublime example of prestigious French winemaking.

The Cecile Tremblay Chambolle-Musigny Les Cabottes 2016 is an exemplary model of fine Burgundy. Crafted in France’s prestigious Chambolle-Musigny region, this wine reflects the prowess of master vintner Cecile Tremblay – a descendent of the renowned Burgundy producer, Henri Jayer. Harvested meticulously by hand and aged in French oak barrels for 15 months, the wine boasts an elegant finish and layered complexities.

This exquisite Pinot Noir offers a vibrant palate with nuances of ripe fruit, intricate floral notes, and deftly integrated tannins. 2016’s favourable climatic condition has resulted in a wine of profound depth and balance, making the Cecile Tremblay Chambolle-Musigny Les Cabottes 2016 a prized addition for any discerning wine collector. Its expressive character continues to evolve, promising to peak to perfection in the years to come. Welcomingly, its enjoyment is not confined to its maturation, as even in its youth, the wine never fails to captivate with its sturdy structure and delicate elegance.

Vinous (92-95)

(30% vendange entier; just half of a normal crop due to frost losses through the combe): Bright, dark red-ruby. Rather brooding aromas of blackcurrant, dark raspberry, licorice, violet, crushed rock and spices. Then surprisingly dense and sweet in the mouth, more generous and creamy than the Vosne-Romanée Les Rouges du Dessus, showing a hint of chocolate. This wine is always the highest in pH in the cellar, noted Tremblay. Finishes with suave, fine-grained tannins, a suggestion of marzipan sweetness and building length. Tremblay noted that owing to the cordon de royat pruning used here, the buds are a bit higher off the ground, and that made a difference during the frost as the temperature at this level may have been as much as a full degree Centigrade higher.

Vinous (89-91)

Good dark red. Reticent aromas of black cherry, violet and minerals, complicated by a hint of bitter chocolate. Juicy and tightly wound; not a sweet or generous style but reveals lovely salinity and subtle dark fruit intensity with aeration. This youthfully reserved village wine is solidly structured but not hard, finishing with firm but even tannins. Ultimately a bit more generous than the Morey-Saint-Denis Très Girard, with the tannins more enrobed by fruit and mineral extract. Tremblay won't do her first racking until she assembles the wines next April in preparation for bottling in July. I take my time, she told me.

Vinous (93)

The 2016 Vosne-Romanée Les Rouges du Dessus 1er Cru has a clean and fresh bouquet with perfumed Morello and strawberry shortcake aromas, all well defined. Exuberant is the word that comes to mind. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins that frame a sweet, confit-like core of red fruit with hints of marmalade and blood orange towards the seductive finish. Very fine, but a Vosne-Romanée I might broach in the more immediate term. Tasted blind at the 2016 Burgfest tasting.

Vinous (97)

The 2016 Blanc de Blancs La Bolorée is a Champagne of soaring intensity. Old Pinot Blanc vines on limestone yield a Champagne infused with striking mineral-laced energy. Green apple, pear, white flowers, crushed rocks and white pepper all race out of the glass. La Bolorée needs a few years in bottle to be at its best, although exercising that sort of patience in front of one of the world's most iconic wines is nearly impossible. Let me just say, when I want to serve my most cherished bottles for a special occasion, La Bolorée is often at the top of the list. Zero dosage. Disgorged: April, 2020.

Vinous (95)

The 2016 Blanc de Noirs Les Ursules is a dense, powerful wine. Next to the Presle, it is deeper, richer and also more packed. Most of Bouchard's Champagnes need a few years in bottle to blossom. That is certainly the case here. The 2016 is impressive, but it needs time. As always, this tiny parcel measuring just 0.9 hectares yields a layered Blancs de Noirs with notable resonance and character. Zero dosage. Disgorged: April, 2020.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (95)

The 2016 Certan de May is a powerful, dense wine, just as it was en primeur. A blast of grilled herbs, leather, smoke, tobacco, licorice and dark-fleshed fruits makes a strong opening statement. Potent and strap in feel, Certan de May shows the more virile side of Pomerol. The profile is decidedly sepia-toned. Readers should plan on being patient with the 2016. It is a jewel of a wine that just needs bottle age to be at its best.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (95)

The 2016 Certan de May is a powerful, dense wine, just as it was en primeur. A blast of grilled herbs, leather, smoke, tobacco, licorice and dark-fleshed fruits makes a strong opening statement. Potent and strap in feel, Certan de May shows the more virile side of Pomerol. The profile is decidedly sepia-toned. Readers should plan on being patient with the 2016. It is a jewel of a wine that just needs bottle age to be at its best.

Wine Advocate (94)

The 2016 Corton Bressandes Grand Cru is also showing extremely well, unfurling in the glass with aromas of cassis, ripe plums, dark chocolate, dried flowers and spices. On the palate, it's full-bodied, ample and velvety, with a deep, layered core, succulent balancing acids and a long, intense and beautifully soil-driven finish. Cropped at 22 hectoliters per hectare, this is an exceptional Bressandes that will be well worth seeking out.

Vinous - Neal Martin (95)

The 2016 Chapelle d’Ausone offers intense black cherries, raspberry coulis and marmalade aromas on the nose, manifesting more delineation in the glass over the course of 10–15 minutes. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grained tannins, very pure black fruit and tangible mineralité and tension on the finish. This is pure class, a wine of nobility and deliciousness. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.

Wine Advocate (88)

The estate's bargain-priced entry-level red, the 2016 Les Vignes de Bila Haut is a smooth, streamlined blend of 50% Syrah, 40% Grenache and 10% Carignan, aged exclusively in concrete vats. Medium to full-bodied, it boasts cool herbal aromas of garrigue alongside ripe cherries, then it caps those off with a fine-textured, silky finish. Drink it in its first few years.

Vinous (95)

Vivid gold. Powerful, mineral-tinged Meyer lemon, nectarine and pear nectar scents show excellent clarity and complicating honey, fennel and smoky lees accents. Vibrant and expansive in the mouth, offering deeply concentrated orchard and pit fruit flavors along with suggestions of buttered toast and honeydew melon that build on the back half. Shows impressive energy and finishes silky and extremely long, featuring lingering floral and honey nuances.

Wine Advocate (100)

Aged entirely in barriques (25% new), the 2016 Ermitage le Pavillon shows only a hint of warm pencil shavings on the nose, beautifully setting up notes of fresh blackcurrants. Full-bodied, concentrated and plush across the mid-palate, it turns rich and velvety on the nearly endless finish, marked by savory notes of beef, licorice and espresso. If you wish to catch a glimpse of this wine's greatness, it would be no crime to open a bottle upon release, as I suspect it will close down for a number of years soon afterward.

Vinous (94)

Bright violet. Highly perfumed black and blue fruit preserve, incense and baking spice aromas, along with hints of smoky minerals and olive paste. Silky, seamless and penetrating in the mouth, offering concentrated blackberry, boysenberry, violet pastille and spicecake flavors that become more energetic on the back half. Rich yet lively, finishing gently sweet and long, with harmonious tannins and repeating mineral and floral notes.

Immerse yourself in the rich, velvety smoothness of Charlopin Tissier Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Selection 2016, from one of Burgundy's highly regarded producers. This sterling vintage originates from the famed Gevrey-Chambertin area, which is renowned for yielding wines of substantial depth and sophistication. Charlopin Tissier's meticulous cultivation and traditional vinification processes have been utilised to create a Pinot Noir blend of matchless complexity.

Aged in oak barrels for optimal maturation, the nuanced flavours express the fine minerality of the limestone soil, juxtaposed harmoniously with vibrant red-fruit notes, delicate spices, and soft tannins. The 2016 selection exhibits the classic attributes of a fine Gevrey-Chambertin, encapsulating an enduring elegance, resonating rich and full on the palate. Savour the Charlopin Tissier Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Selection 2016 as the epitome of the producer's oenological prowess, delivering an unforgettable drinking experience.

Vinous - Neal Martin (90)

The 2016 Croizet-Bages has an open and engaging bouquet, a mélange of red and black fruit laced with cedar and subtle mint aromas. The oak here is nicely integrated. The palate is well balanced with supple tannins matched with a fine bead of acidity. It displays a tad more “rondeur” than its peers thanks to some expressive Merlot and fans out on the finish. A Croizet-Bages that “leaves the customer satisfied.