En Primeur Bordeaux 2016

The 2016 Ausone is a blend of 50% Merlot and 50% Cabernet Franc picked 10-14 October and 14-19 October, respectively, at 40 hectoliters per hectare. It is matured in 80% new oak with a light toasting, a move that Alain and Pauline Vauthier have made in recent years just to lessen the impact of the oak. There is a palpable...stateliness about the Ausone this year. It is extraordinarily pure and articulates its terroir as well as any vintage that I can remember over the last 20-odd years. It is not as flamboyant as other Saint Emilions, more correct and precise. The palate is very elegant and precise. I adore the exquisite balance of this Ausone, the precision and fineness of the tannin, the effortlessness that it conveys. This is classy and sophisticated, satin-like in texture with a long and sensual finish. Not an Ausone that is going to blaze across the sky, this is a cerebral, intellectual Ausone that will entrance for many years to come.

Score: 98 - 100 Neal Martin, robertparker.com Maturity: 2022-2070

Deep crimson. Very ripe nose and then rather chewy end. Drying finish. Not charming for the moment - even a little exaggerated. Though there is a broad panoply of fruit flavours that come rather precipitously to a drying end. (18+ Points)

Score: 18 Jancis Robinson MW, Jancisrobinson.com Maturity: 2028-2042

The incredible succulent power in Ausone puts a different perspective on other wines, as it so often does. The epitome of perfumed finesse. The yield is up at 40hl/ha, high for these poor limestone soils, and the remarkable clarity of expression that runs right through the delicate but fleshy raspberry and smoke-tinged palate is helped by a pH of 3.5 (compared to 3.6 last year). In my book this counts as one of the truly exciting signatures of the vintage and that is only boosted by the limestone terroir. Stunning, with enormous persistency and a finish that just doesn't want to quit. From a blend of 50% Merlot and 50% Cabernet Franc, aged in 80% new oak barrels. 98-100 points.

Score: 98 - 100 Decanter Maturity: 2027-2050

The 2016 Batailley is a blend of 12% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot, 85% Cabernet Sauvignon cropped at 50h hectoliters per hectare. Matured in 60% new oak. It has an intense graphite infused bouquet with fine delineation, some freshly picked Pauillac mint coming through with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannin that grip the mouth insistently; with graphite and tobacco-infused black fruit dominating, this a classically styled Batailley in the vein of previous vintages with the elegance coming through towards the finish. This is one of those wines that grows on you, perhaps not as easy or as charming to taste as other Pauillac 2016s at this stage, but knowing this property well, I know how it can blossom when it matters, which is when you and I drink it.

Score: 93 - 95 Neal Martin, robertparker.com Maturity: 2022-2050

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.

Score: 95 - 96 James Suckling, Jamessuckling.com

Enticingly fresh, this is open-knit in feel, offering a pretty display of cherry paste and red currant preserve flavors. A twinge of warm earth on the finish keeps this grounded and adds some needed bass.

Score: 91 - 94 James Molesworth, Wine Spectator

The 2016 Beaumont, owned by Suntory and Castel, has a rather conservative bouquet, a little backward and surly compared to its peers with undergrowth aromas coming through with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, quite lithe and agile in the mouth, a wine willing to go out and please and not worry too much about cellaring. Whilst it does not quite have the complexity of the 2015, it is still a mouthful of potentially delicious wine.

Score: 88 - 90 Neal Martin, robertparker.com Maturity: 2019-2029

A juicy and pretty wine with berry and chocolate character, a medium body and a clean finish. Clearly better than the 2015.

Score: 91 - 92 James Suckling, Jamessuckling.com

From the Beychevelle team, this is a good wine. The mid-palate fills out with brambly fruit, and it is a little rustic on the finish. An even split between Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, with 8% Petit Verdot.

Score: 89 Decanter Maturity: 2023-2040

The 2016 Beauregard, which now boasts one of the most modern cellars since its acquisition by the Cathiard and Moulin-Houzé families (although with winemaker Vincent Priou still on board), has a clean and pure bouquet with detailed blackberry and raspberry notes tinged with vanilla and light violet aromas. This is a classy set of aromatics from Beauregard that show more intensity than usual. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grain tannin, a little foursquare in style, quite conservative yet with abundant freshness and fine tannin towards the finish. It is nothing flash. It is the best Beauregard that I have tasted.

Score: 91 - 93 Neal Martin, robertparker.com Maturity: 2020-2035

Tight and linear on the palate with a lovely depth of fruit and polished tannins. Medium to full body and an attractive, fine-grained texture.

Score: 93 - 94 James Suckling, Jamessuckling.com

Juicy, with raspberry, blueberry and boysenberry pâte de fruit notes coursing through. Spice hints on the finish add range while energetic acidity keeps it all fresh. Delicious.

Score: 90 - 93 James Molesworth, Wine Spectator

This is the second vintage under new owners (Galleries Lafayette family), with Fabien Tetgien of Smith Haut Lafitte overseeing the winemaking and Vincent Priou heading up the team in Pomerol full time. This is an extremely promising wine, with damsons, graphite, and touches of chocolate and exotic spices, while the tannins are soft and plush even at this early stage. A sexy, polished wine that delivers on the vintage. 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc.

Score: 92 Decanter Maturity: 2025-2040

The 2016 Beausejour (Duffau Lagarrosse) is a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc picked between 18 October and 21 October, matured in 55% new oak. The alcohol is 14.4%, with a pH of 3.38. It has a very perfumed bouquet with luscious red cherry and wild strawberry fruit, fine delineation, touches of truffle and smoke in the background. The palate is medium-bodied with very supple tannin that belie the structure of this Saint Emilion. This has a gorgeous salinity and spiciness that lend it character, very long and persistent with a tang of black pepper on the aftertaste. This is a step up from the 2015 last year and should rest at the top of my banded score once in bottle.

Score: 93 - 95 Neal Martin, robertparker.com Maturity: 2021-2040

90% Merlot, late picked. Made by Nicolas Thienpont. Very rich and edgy. Vegy edge. Massively ripe in the middle but not too ripe or sweet. Pretty dramatic. Dry end. Obviously classy stuff from a great terroir. (17+ Points)

Score: 17 Jancis Robinson MW, Jancisrobinson.com Maturity: 2025-2042

The 2016 Beauséjour Héritiers Duffau-Lagarrosse is outrageously beautiful. A striking bouquet of crushed rocks, graphite, smoke, scorched earth and lavender opens into a core of plush, sumptuous fruit. Deep, dark and inviting, the 2016 is endowed with tremendous intensity in all of its dimensions. Beams of tannin give the wine its explosive, exuberant personality. This is another exceptional showing from Nicolas Thienpont and his team. Readers should be prepared to be patient, as the 2016 is going to need time in bottle to be at its best. Even so, it is deeply impressive today. Tasted three times. (95-98+)

Score: 95 - 98 Antonio Galloni, www.vinousmedia.com