Château La Pointe 2016

Interesting aromatics of flowers and herbs; full-bodied, juicy, dense, with a herbal edge, tightly knit tannins, well-integrated oak; pleasing development.

This has a sappy beam of kirsch and cherry paste notes pumping through the middle, flanked by a snap of anise and fresh apple wood detail. Just a bit square through the finish, but otherwise a solid, what-you-see-is-what-you-get style. Best from 2021 through 2029. 6,667 cases made.

Continuing a run of seriously improved vintages here, every time I taste La Pointe I'm thrilled they haven't thrown the baby out with the bathwater in terms of drinkability - it's not sacrificed at the altar of concentration, even though clearly there are some inky depths on offer. It's big and tannic, and perhaps the oak is just on the edge, but there it has light and life. Very good quality. Hubert de Bôuard consults.

This is a very solid Pomerol with a nice balance of fine, dry tannins and well-judged ripeness. But the red-fruit character is a bit shy, and a couple of years are probably needed for it to open up fully. Long and complex, dry finish. Drink or hold.

Mid ruby – lighter than most. Interesting, rather evolved, animal notes on the nose. Sweet start and then a bit diffuse with rather rustic tannins on the end. Light and a tad astringent. (JR)

The 2016 La Pointe has come together very nicely since I tasted it from barrel. Some angular contours remain, and yet the pedigree of the vintage comes through in the wine's complexity and overall character. Hints of cedar, tobacco, smoke and blood orange add nuance as this big, somewhat angular Pomerol opens up in the glass.

Polished, supple plums and chocolate with earthy black cherry to add complexity; the fruit is juicy, medium-bodied, and shows dark chocolate on the finish.

Dark ruby garnet, purple reflections, slight brightening at the rim. An inviting bouquet with a floral touch, delicate hibiscus, ripe Amarena cherry and a hint of tangerine zest. Juicy palate with a sweet yet tightly woven texture, ripe tannins, fine nougat and a very long finish. Definite ageing potential.

The 2016 Château La Pointe is an elegant, vibrant Pomerol that has good acidity, medium body, notable minerality, and a classy bouquet of black cherries, black raspberries, and spring flowers. I’d love to see a touch more oomph and flesh, but I love its balance and purity, and I suspect it will flesh out nicely with 2-4 years of bottle age.

Deep purple with a violet rim. Generous blackberry bouquet with violet. Lush palate with noticeable minerality and good freshness. Finish of plum skin and red currant. A perfect entry-level Pomerol!

Kunz barrel sample 17: (83% Merlot, 17% Cabernet Franc) Silky, dense, fruity bouquet, strawberries, mint, fine herbs, eucalyptus, pralines. Balanced, silky, tightly knit palate with powerful, precise fruit, plenty of fine tannins, dense, creamy structure, complex aromatics, long, finely opulent finish with sweet echoes. Has further potential.

Floral, fresh, complex bouquet with strawberries, mint, and a fine slate note. Dense, elegant, powerful, and multi‑layered palate with intense, refined fruit, good tannins, diverse aromatics, and a long, fresh finish. Has room to improve further. 18/20 2022 - 2045

The Merlots from gravelly soils at the far end of the estate bring a solid backbone to the blend (33%). The vines on clay in the Nénin sector produced fairly powerful wines with a more rugged tannin structure. Slightly smoky, the Cabernet Francs are a little marked by oak. This combination of terroirs makes it possible to craft a more layered wine, defined by a sleek, elongated style.

Black cherry, dark fruits, light oak. Fresh, lively palate, clean attack, great length, very supple tannins.

Deep garnet with purple highlights. An elegant, complex bouquet combining fresh, fruity notes. On the palate, La Pointe 2016 confirms its elegance. The attack is luscious, while the mid-palate shows richness, fruit, and tannins that emerge on the finish. The latter are fine-grained and provide excellent support across the palate. I’m pleased to note that the level of La Pointe has kept rising over the past few years. The 2016 vintage will warm the hearts of Eric Monneret’s entire team. They truly deserve it. Bravo!

The nose is delicate, fresh, indulgent, and offers fine concentration. It reveals notes of crushed blackcurrant/blackberry and hints of strawberry, with a discreet touch of licorice, toast, a hint of fresh/ripe raspberry, as well as a very subtle hint of sweet spices and Sichuan pepper. The palate is fruity, juicy, mineral, balanced, and racy, offering good structure, good tension, lovely finesse, beautiful purity of fruit, and good freshness. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of fresh/ripe blackberry and fine notes of blackcurrant, combined with hints of small fresh/ripe red berries, toasted oak nuances, and a touch of dark chocolate on the finish. Good length and beautiful persistence. The persistence is gourmet/smooth.

Dark color. Fairly perfumed nose. Round, very fruity palate with medium body and slightly pronounced tannins on the finish.

The 2016 La Pointe is a deep garnet with a hint of purple. It opens with swirling to reveal a beautiful array of juicy black plums, black raspberries, and chocolate-covered cherries, followed by hints of star anise, violets, and fragrant soil. Full-bodied, the palate is layered with black and red berries, supported by ripe, rounded tannins and a lively backbone, finishing long and spicy.