Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé

Château Cheval Blanc 2016

Saint-Émilion Grand Cru, 1er Grand Cru Classé A

The nose is elegant and offers a slight power as well as a very fine grain. It reveals notes of juicy blackberry, juicy ripe wild strawberry and small notes of blueberry combined with slight touches of liquorice, incense, flowers (violet, iris), Cuben pepper as well as slight hints of sweet spices. The palate is fruity, elegant, gourmand and offers power, a slight richness, a beautiful definition, freshness, a beautiful suavity as well as a beautiful juiciness. On the palate this wine expresses notes of blackberry, black cherry and small notes of cassis, ripe crushed raspberry associated with touches of liquorice, coffee as well as discreet hints of almond, caramelization / sweet spices. Good length and persistence. There are slight hints of cocoa on the finish / persistence. Tannins are fine, precise and a bit firm. Slight chew on the finish (brings gourmandise). The finish is very slightly grainy. Everything is well integrated / in place. There is very slight touch of bitterness / flowers on the persistence. Beautiful potential (2022+).

Score : 18.25/20 (96-97/100)

Château Pavie-Macquin 2016

Saint-Émilion Grand Cru, 1er Grand Cru Classé

The nose is elegant, concentrated and finely powerful. It reveals notes of blackberry, crushed cassis and small notes of raspberry, wild strawberry combined with fine touches of cherry as well as discreet hints of spices, Sichuan pepper, cardamom and an imperceptible hint of violet (in the background). The palate is fruity, well-balanced, racy and offers a beautiful juiciness, power, a beautiful mineral frame, a very fine suavity as well as a beautiful and slightly tight grain. On the palate this wine expresses notes of fresh / crunchy cassis, plum and small notes of wild raspberry associated with small touches of redcurrants, fresh cherry as well as discreet hints of zan, tonka bean and toasted / spices. Tannins are fine and elegant. There are discreet hints of dried almond on the finish (bring gourmandise).

Good length. A beautiful wine !

Score : 17.5+/20 (95-96/100)

Château Corbin 2016 Saint-Émilion Grand Cru, Grand Cru classé

The nose is aromatic, elegant, frank and offers a good precision as well as a good purity of the fruit. It reveals notes of blackberries, crushed cassis and small notes of crushed raspberry, crushed red berries, vanilla associated with slight touches of violet, blueberry, liquorice and very discreet toasted hints, lilacs, sweet spices and cardamom. The palate is fruity, well-balanced and offers a beautiful definition, a silky texture, gourmandise, a mineral frame, a fine acidulous sensation as well as a beautiful grain and a beautiful precision / purity. On the palate this wine expresses notes of blackberry, ripe / crushed wild raspberry and small notes of crushed cassis associated with fine touches of strawberry, blueberry, violet, sweet spices and an imperceptible hint of zan. Tannins are fine, elegant and very slightly grainy. Good length. A beautiful grain on the finish. A beautiful wine!

Score : 17+/20 (94-95/100)

Château La Gaffelière 2016

Saint-Émilion Grand Cru, Grand Cru Classé

The nose is fruity, elegant, precise, racy and offers a slight gourmandise. It reveals notes of fleshy blackberry, cornflowers and small notes of cassis combined with small touches of lilac, red fruits as well as discreet hints of liquorice and an imperceptible hint of camphor / Sichuan pepper. The palate is fruity, well-balanced, elegant and offers delicacy, juiciness, a racy minerality, precision, a slight acidulous frame, a beautiful elegance, a slight tension, a beautiful guideline, a silky matter as well as a fine and very slightly tight grainOn the palate this wine expresses notes of blackberry and fleshy cassis associated with touches of violet / cornflower, small blue fruits as well as slight hints of liquorice and sweet spices / vanilla. Tannins are well-built. A beautiful wine!

Score : 17.25+/20 (95/100)

ChâteauVillemaurine 2016

Saint-Émilion Grand Cru, Grand Cru Classé

The nose is fruity, elegant, gourmand, racy, structured and offers power as well as a beautiful and slightly grainy grain. It reveals notes of crushed cassis and small notes of blackberry associated with small touches of violet, black berries as well as discreet hints of lily, Cuben pepper and discreet tonka bean / toasted hints. The palate is fruity, elegant, gourmand and offers a beautiful acidulous frame, precision, a beautiful delicacy, a good guideline as well as a good definition. On the palate this wine expresses notes of fleshy blackberry, crushed cassis and small notes of plum, crushed raspberry associated with small touches of tonka bean / cocoa, small toasted touches, sweet spices as well as very discreet hints of vanilla and an imperceptible hint of caramelization. Tannins are fine, straight and elegant. There is a very discreet hint of coffee on the finish. Good length.

Score : 17.5/20 (95/100)

Château Larmande 2016

Saint-Émilion Grand Cru, Grand Cru Classé

The nose is fruity, elegant, gourmand, well-built and offers a slight concentration a slight depthness as well as finesse. It reveals notes of blackberry, cassis and small notes of raspberry associated with touches of gray pepper, spices, flowers / iris as well as a very discreet hint of sweet spices / vanilla. The palate is fruity, gourmand, elegant and offers a beautiful definition, a beautiful suavity / roundness, elegance, density, a beautiful finesse as well as a very slightly tight grain. On the palate this wine expresses notes of blackberry, fleshy raspberry, fleshy strawberry and small notes of fleshy cassis combined with slight touches of liquorice, toasted oak / caramelized oak as well as small / fine hints of liquorice / chocolate and an imperceptible hint of Bourbon vanilla (in the background). A beautiful wine full of balance and delicacy. Tannins are fine and very discreetly firm. Very slight chew on the persistence.

Score : 16.5/20 (93/100)

Château Grand CorbinDespagne 2016 Saint-Émilion Grand Cru, Grand Cru Classé

The nose is elegant, fruity, racy and offers a beautiful delicacy as well as intensity. It reveals notes of fleshy blackberry, crushed small black fruits and small notes of fleshy blueberry combined with touches of strawberry, toasted as well as hints of minty liquorice, almonds, very discreet hints of vanilla and a subtle hint of sweet blond tobacco. The palate is fruity, delicate, well-balanced, harmonious, wellbuilt and offers a good definition, a beautiful finesse, power, an acidulous frame as well as a small juiciness. On the palate this wine expresses notes of fleshy blackberry, crushed cassis and small notes of fleshy strawberry combined with slight toasted hints, almond, violet, vanilla and a subtle hint of chocolate (in the background). Tannins are elegant and finely firm. Good length.

Score : 17/20 (94/100)

Château Fleur Cardinale 2016

Saint-Émilion Grand Cru, Grand Cru Classé

The nose is elegant, aromatic and offers a fine power, elegance, a beautiful finesse as well as gourmandise. It reveals notes of fleshy blackberry, fleshy strawberry and small notes of crushed cassis combined with touches of Quetsche plum, liquorice, a discreet hint of violet, Sichuan pepper, spices as well as an imperceptible hint of almond and nutmeg. The palate is fruity, wellbalanced, elegant, beautifully defined, beautifully built, very discreetly tight, harmonious and offers a beautiful finesse, a fine tension, a beautiful mineral frame as well as gourmandise. On the palate this wine expresses notes of fleshy blackberry, crushed / fleshy cassis and small notes of fleshy strawberry associated with small touches of crushed raspberry, hints of caramelization, hazelnut, toasted hints, a very discreet hint of Bourbon vanilla as well as an imperceptible hint of coffee (in the background) and sweet blond tobacco on the finish. Tannins are fine, elegant and structuring. Good length and persistence.

Score : 17/20 (94/100)