Brought in exclusively by American merchant Jeffrey Davies, the 2016 Clos Saint Julien knocks it out of the park and is a killer wine made by Catherine Papon-Nouvel, who’s also the genius behind the wines of Petit Gravet Aîné. This is a tiny 1.2-hectare vineyard located just west of Château Soutard that sits on the pure limestone plateau outside the village of Saint Emilion. The blend is equal parts Cabernet Franc and Merlot, raised all in new barrels. It boasts an awesome nose of ripe red and black fruits, flowers, spice box, and white truffles. Seamless, medium to full-bodied, and beautifully textured, it has fine tannins and just covers the palate with fruit. There are under 500 cases made, but it’s a gem of a wine I’d be thrilled to have in the cellar.

Quite oaky, but there’s plenty of ripe sour-cherry character, then good concentration and plenty of velvety tannins that nicely fill the full body and carry the long, sophisticated finish. A blend of 50 per cent cabernet franc and 50 per cent merlot. Better from 2021.

Fresh, fleshy and flowery with a jolt of espresso and juicy plum, the wine is vibrant, long, sweet and juicy and was created from a blend of 50% Merlot and 50% Cabernet Franc. Read more at:https://www.thewinecellarinsider.com/wine-tasting-note/?vintage=2016&wine=Clos%20St.%20Julien

92+ An equal blend of 50% Cabernet Franc and 50% Merlot aged in 100% new oak for 16 months, the deep garnet-purple colored 2016 Clos St Julien features warm plums, stewed cherries, dried mulberries and earth with oolong tea and Chinese five spice. The palate is medium-bodied with a chewy frame and earthy layers, finishing on an earthy note. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown