95+ Lastly, the 2016 Château Barde-Haut might end up being the best wine ever made at this address from the Garcin-Lévêque family, and it certainly ranks with the crème de la crème of the vintage. Dense purple-hued with awesome notes of cassis, black cherries, spring flowers, damp earth, and violets, it hits the palate with incredible purity and precision, a deep, multi-dimensional texture, sweet tannins (from ripe fruit, not sugar), and a building sense of minerality that shows on the finish. It has the depth of fruit and elegance to shine even today yet will benefit from 3-5 years of bottle age and evolve for two decades.

The 2016 Barde-Haut has a crisp and well defined bouquet, very pure, with black cherries, blueberry, violet and a touch of crushed stone, all very focused. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, silky smooth in texture with pure black cherries, raspberry and light orange rind notes towards the finish. This represents an impressive follow-up to the 2015. Tasted at the Barde-Haut vertical at the château. -- Neal Martin

Sexy, lush earthy, rich and packed with layers if soft, ripe, deep, dark red fruits, licorice, coffee and chocolate. While the wine is rich, it also retains its freshness. Read more at:https://www.thewinecellarinsider.com/wine-tasting-note/?vintage=2016&wine=Chateau%20Barde-Haut

Deep purple core to rim. The 2016 Barde Haut is progressing nicely from the time we tasted this back in April. The nose is full of inviting dark fruits, tilled earth, cracked stone and baking spices. The hallmarks of the vintage, great acidity and well-shaped tannins, are at the core surrounded with notes of sweet blackberry and plum. Silky and layered, this is showing very good intensity and length. Anticipated drinking window 2022-2042+.

93+ The 2016 Barde Haut is composed of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. Deep garnet-purple colored, it gives up expressive wild blueberries, kirsch, baked plums and spice box notes with hints of cracked pepper, lavender, garrigue and Provence herbs. Medium to full-bodied and richly fruited in the mouth, the palate bursts with blue fruits, framed by firm, rounded tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown

A very fresh, juicy style, with pretty floral hints framing a core of cherry, pomegranate and red currant fruit flavors that meld into one another while light anise and rooibos tea accents fill in on the finish. A mineral note knits it all up nicely. Best from 2021 through 2033. 5,000 cases made. — JM

Owned by Helene Garcin Leveque, this is a deep, rich purple in colour, full flavoured and bristling with intent. I can see the ambition, and it may be 'turned down to nine' but we are still in a firmly tannic wine that reminds me how intense Merlot can get in these parts. Extremely successful, it is going to age well, although it could do with a little more juice through the mid-palate. Largely situated on the plateau, the blend is 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. Read more at https://www.decanter.com/wine-reviews/france/bordeaux/chateau-barde-haut-st-emilion-grand-cru-classe-2016-11170#hlZOfd0OkO1UUzBa.99