2016 Wine from France

Wine Enthusiast, 100 points: A voluptuous wine, this is rich and fruity yet properly balanced by a magnificent structure. Pure, crisp and packed with a black currant flavor, this will be a remarkable wine as it develops. Still young, it needs many...

Wine Enthusiast, 95 points: (93–95 points) Barrel Sample. This is a perfumed wine, likely thanks to a dollop (7%) of Cabernet Franc. It has ripe fruit characters, pleasant richness and a firm structure. ROGER VOSS

Decanter, 91 points: Reserved but serious levels of fruit concentration, boasting quince, yellow pear, apricot and blossom, then vanilla pod nuances shining through.

jamessuckling.com, 94 points: A terrific range of spice and fragrance that really defines great Côte-Rôtie. The fruit is in the fresh red-plum and dark-berry zone and there’s dark chocolate here, too. The palate has a very supple, smooth delivery of...

jamessuckling.com, 94 points: Very ripe blueberries here, married to delicate, smoky-oak and baking-spice character. Concentrated and succulent with a wonderful, mineral freshness at the long, energetic finish. A very flexible food-wine. Drink or hold.

Wine Enthusiast, 100 points: This 80% Cabernet Franc wine may be massive, but it is also perfumed with swathes of opulent black fruit. It comes from a great year for Cabernet Franc, which forms 75% of this vineyard. Juicy acidity gives the wine a...

Wine Spectator, 92 points: Cedar and tobacco aromas lead off, followed by gently steeped red currant and plum fruit flavors. An elegant mix of herb, sanguine and iron notes chimes on the very silky, restrained finish. A wine of subtle charm and...

Wine Enthusiast, 95 points: Cellar Selection. Named after Alphonse Edmond, the father of present owner of Alphonse Mellot, this is the top wine from an always-impressive estate. Richness and concentration almost overwhelm the wine at this young...

jamessuckling.com, 94 points: Plenty of menthol, blackberry and blackcurrant aromas in this elegant, medium-weight Haut-Médoc that’s got as much freshness as ripeness and a long, clean, mineral and herbal finish. An incredibly food-flexible wine!...

Wine Spectator, 93 points: Initial aromas of earth and garlic blow off on the palate, but there are black cherry, black currant, violet and sandalwood notes that build to a long finish. Ripe and well-oaked, yet balanced and expressive. This red is...

jamessuckling.com, 98 points: (JS 97-98 points) Very spicy and peppery with blue-granite aromas plus hints of grilled and smoked meat. Cloves and nutmeg. Full body, round and juicy tannins and a super spicy finish that almost burns with so much...

jamessuckling.com, 93 points: A very rich and ripe, dark-fruited wine with dark, stony aromas. Rich fruit on the palate, offering dark plum and chocolate flavors and firm, long, assertive tannins. A blend of 72 per cent merlot and 28 per cent cabernet...

Wine Spectator, 97 points: Densely fruited, featuring yellow apple, peach, pear and mirabelle plum flavors, but lithe and pure as well, with light floral, quinine and salted butter notes rippling underneath. The very long finish shows latent energy...