Best value Bordeaux 2016 wines: 16 to look for
Jane Anson picks out several Bordeaux 2016 wines from the Right and Left Banks, including Cru Bourgeois estates, that have the potential to offer particularly good value - after re-tasting the vintage in the bottle.
Introduction by Eleanor Douglas.
‘Does 2016 live up to the promise now that we are tasting two years after harvest? Largely, I would say that it does,’ said Jane Anson in her in-bottle report on Bordeaux 2016 wines.
Having originally tasted Bordeaux 2016 during the en primeur season, Anson returned to taste many of the wines to see how they are shaping up in the bottle.
While there are some standout performers across the Right Bank, and particularly in Pomerol, Anson said that the Médoc had edged ahead in her tastings so far. This, she believes, was mainly due to the extra hang-time afforded to the relatively late ripening Cabernet Sauvignon during the vintage.
‘There are values to be found throughout the Médoc and I tasted a number of good Cru Bourgeois that are worth seeking out,’ said Anson.
Of the wines tasted so far, here are 16 that Anson has picked out as having the potential to offer particularly good value.
Wines from Pessac-Léognan and Graves in general are due to be tasted in the coming weeks.
Sixteen value Bordeaux 2016 wines to look for:
How the Bordeaux 2016 Right Bank tastes now
Full report on the classified Médoc 2016 wines, including exclusive scores
Château Meyney, St-Estèphe, Bordeaux, France, 2016
Cool blueberry fruit aromas, with some creamy, round qualities. The palate is smooth and pleasurable. ‘A more modern style,’ said wine buyer Jean Haudy, ‘but...
2016
Château MeyneySt-Estèphe
Château Potensac, Médoc, Bordeaux, France, 2016
Oz Clarke: Young, purple, rich and oaky. This is a bit 'made' and modern in style but is a big, rather rich and plummy spicy...
2016
Château PotensacMédoc
Château Beau Site, St-Estèphe, Bordeaux, France, 2016
With fine oak integration, this wine is a tasty combination of torrefaction, finesse and iron richness. ‘A fine glass of red, if not the most...
2016
Château Beau SiteSt-Estèphe
Château Fourcas-Borie, Listrac-Médoc, Bordeaux, France, 2016
There are hopes that Fourcas-Borie will be in line for Cru Bourgeois Superieur or Exceptionnel status when the new ranking is revealed in February 2020,...
2016
Château Fourcas-BorieListrac-Médoc
Château Belle-Vue, Haut-Médoc, Bordeaux, France, 2016
Clear austerity here; this is a wine that you would be extremely happy to own because it has persistent, sappy black-fruit flavours with a mouthwatering...
2016
Château Belle-VueHaut-Médoc
Château d'Escurac, Médoc, Bordeaux, France, 2016
This is often a fairly heavily extracted wine that ages well, and it's clear that 2016 plays very much to its strengths. Plush damson and...
2016
Château d'EscuracMédoc
Château La Cardonne, Médoc, Bordeaux, France, 2016
Rich and tight, this wine has presence with a structure that tells you who's in charge. It may not set hearts racing, but it does...
2016
Château La CardonneMédoc
Château Lousteauneuf, Médoc, Bordeaux, France, 2016
The tannins here are fairly hefty, a reflection both of a high proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon, and a wine that's unfiltered and unfined. Certainly there...
2016
Château LousteauneufMédoc
Château Laujac, Médoc, Bordeaux, France, 2016
From a large and attractive estate up in Begadan, owned by the Cruse family, this has clear cassis and blackberry notes with tannins that are...
2016
Château LaujacMédoc
Château La Prade, Francs Côtes de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France, 2016
Nicolas Thienpont is doing interesting things with this estate. Certainly this is intense and has a beautiful depth of expression - excellent quality for a...
2016
Château La PradeFrancs Côtes de Bordeaux
Château Hostens-Picant, Sainte-Foy Côtes de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France, 2016
The emphasis is on salinity and austerity here, from an estate whose wines are often closed down in their early years, and this is a...
2016
Château Hostens-PicantSainte-Foy Côtes de Bordeaux
Château Alcée, Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France, 2016
A good quality, rich wine with a sense of drama. It's a touch strong on the extraction but is well held together by the acidity....
2016
Château AlcéeCastillon Côtes de Bordeaux
Château Godard, Francs Côtes de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France, 2016
This takes a heartbeat before kicking in with firm black fruits which begin to layer up, along with a highly appealing florality. The estate is...
2016
Château GodardFrancs Côtes de Bordeaux
Château de Candale, St-Émilion, Grand Cru, Bordeaux, France, 2016
I love the nose here, showing some smoky, sexy touches, floating above the tight tannins. This needs time, but it's good, fresh, and cool, with...
2016
Château de CandaleSt-Émilion
Château de Fougères, Clos Montesquieu, Graves, Bordeaux, France, 2016
Owned by Dominique Coutière since 2010 - an interesting figure who made his money in essential oils and extraction of essences for the perfume industry...
2016
Château de FougèresGraves
Château Poujeaux, Moulis-en-Médoc, Bordeaux, France, 2016
Ripe, full and explosive with a big tannic frame. Expressive dark fruit aromas and flavour. Broad palate, tannins present but finely etched. Persistent.
2016
Château PoujeauxMoulis-en-Médoc
