(93-95) The 2016 Clos de la Roche Grand Cru was demonstrating quite a lot of new oak on the nose, although it has the same percentage as the premier crus at around 30%. This obscured some of the fruit underneath, yet it is still nicely defined and classier than the Bonnes-Mares. The palate is medium-bodied with succulent ripe tannin, sweet and generous but maintaining fine tension with good substance and length on the finish. This might be the best offering from the domaine in 2016. -Neal Martin

Like the Bonnes Mares the VA isn't subtle on the red and dark cherry aromas that are much more sauvage-inflected. The succulent, round and impressively concentrated flavors are imposingly scaled with excellent power on the beautifully complex and built-to-age finish where once again the VA shows up in the form of a mild tanginess. I repeat my comment on the Bonnes Mares that this has all it needs for the long-haul but how well the balance will hold in over time is impossible to say with confidence.

Taking plenty of air to unwind, the 2016 Clos De La Roche Grand Cru has a savory, earthy, yet complex style in its darker cherry and currant fruits as well as dried herbs, candied violets, and spice. This lifted, perfumed effort has medium-bodied richness, bright acidity, and present yet ripe and polished tannins. It certainly has all the right components, but it’s going to need another 4-5 years of bottle age to hit prime time and, I suspect, will keep for 15-20 years. It's always going to be a ripe, broader, more lifted wine, though.