Bordeaux 2016: First Releases

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This week has seen some interesting releases, summarised below, but we expect most prices to come out in May.  Once the pace gets going, En Primeur can be an exciting, fast-paced time. The 2016s are attracting considerable attention and small production wines will probably sell out quickly, especially anything with high scores.  Please do get in touch with your wishlists to help us secure these wines for you.

Since the first grapes were harvested last September the buzz has been steadily building around the 2016s.  In early April the Albany team tasted through 150+ wines to see if it lives up to expectations.

2016 sees a return to a classic style of Bordeaux with the wines displaying beautiful freshness, balance and purity of fruit. Lower alcohol levels and silky refined tanins make many of the wines extremely approachable already whilst they also possess a refreshing acidity that will ensure they age well.

Comparisons with 2015 are inevitable but the vintages are very different.  2015 recalls the voluptuous style of 2009 while 2016 has a fresher profile that makes it closer to 2010 in style.  On both sides of the river, 2016 is notable for its bright aromatics, and gorgeous fruit purity.  Gentle extraction was necessary and this growing trend means that balance and elegance were the words heard most often at the tasting.

The quality of the 2016s is more consistent across the board than the 2015s, especially on the left bank.  We thought the appellations of Pauillac (Pichon Lalande and Grand Puy Lacoste), St Estephe (Cos d'Estournel & Calon Segur) and St Julien (Ducru Beaucaillou, Leoville Las Cases and Beychevelle) really performed well although some of the finest samples we tasted were on the right bank (VCC, Conseillante, Figeac and Canon).  2016 is a great vintage; time will tell just how great it will prove to be.

For our full vintage report, click here.


Appellation
Wine Name
GBP /
12btl IB
Notes
Left Bank
 
 
 
Haut Medoc
£100
16++ JR "A good expression of vintage and estate"
Haut Medoc
£112
92-93 JS "Racy and refined already"
Haut Medoc
£113
92-93 JS "velvety tannins and a savory finish"
Margaux
Arsac
£160
16 JR "Rather luscious"
Right Bank
 
 
 
Cotes de Castillon
Marsau
£125
93-94 JS "probably the best ever"
Montagne St Emilion
Clos de Bouard
£195
93-94 JS "Lovely subtle fruit and structure here."
Pomerol
£372
92-93 JS "Shows intensity and class"
Sauternes
 
 
 
Sauternes/Barsac
£318
94-95 JS "Full body and a long and spicy finish"
Sauternes/Barsac
£360
92-95 WS "good energy"
Sauternes/Barsac
£560
 
NM = Neal Martin, JS = James Suckling, JR = Jancis Robinson, WS = Wine Spectator, AG = Antonio Galloni 

*** 1 YEAR' FREE STORAGE FOR ALL EN PRIMEUR PURCHASES*** 
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*Cool, dark, underground tunnel*Secure bonded warehouse
* Wines held in your own named account  * Online portfolios  with daily updated valuations
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