Château Larrivet Haut-Brion 2016

Spicy nose, fresh, medium-dense tannins, less extract-rich and harsher than en primeur.

Still a bit compact, with cedar and singed vanilla notes holding the core of lightly mulled currant and blackberry fruit at bay for now. A sanguine hint checks in on the back end, with the cedar element emerging, lending a slightly austere edge to the finish. Best from 2022 through 2030. 15,000 cases made.

Lovely plump red-fruit character with nice oak integration. Supple, cushioned palate with fine-grained tannins.

Very attractive, earthy aromas with an array of herbal and leafy notes, as well as a dark-berry thread and earthy complexity. The palate has great depth and drive with a bright array of juicy red and darker berries. Plush, ripe tannins. Try from 2022.

Sweet, red-fruited nose with jammed cherry, red currant, some new oak, and notes of vanilla and tobacco. Ample palate with dense fruit, rounded extract, some derived notes like vanilla and butterscotch, and a rather long, plush finish.

Purple with a violet rim. Fragrant blackberry bouquet with violets. On the palate, compote-like, with cassis drops and licorice, the finish brings out fine, firm notes. A real charmer!

Kunz barrel sample 17: silky, fresh bouquet, plums, tobacco, noble woods. Delicate, fragrant palate with good fruit, fine tannins, spicy aromatics, long, finely bitter finish.

Silky, fresh bouquet, plums, tobacco, precious woods. Delicate, fragrant palate with good fruit, fine tannins, spicy aromatics, long, finely bitter finish. 17/20 2022 - 2035

The 2016 red has a beautifully classic profile, good substance, and silky tannins. It will age very well.

Garnet red with light purple highlights. The bouquet shows good intensity, with smoky and refreshing notes reminiscent of flint and eucalyptus. These are joined by wafts of coffee and dark chocolate. On the palate, the wine is compact, creamy, and boasts a beautiful aromatic expression. The tannins are fine-grained and in harmony with a structure that brings freshness and a touch of breed. A wine of character that deserves a little time in the cellar before being enjoyed.

The nose is fruity, racy, and offers minerality, power, and intensity. It reveals notes of blackcurrant and small wild berries, with fine touches of black cherry, Cubeb pepper, varietal nuances, and discreet hints of spices, licorice, and chocolate, plus an imperceptible, almost saline note. The palate is fruity, juicy, and balanced, delivering minerality, a tangy backbone, lovely tension, indulgence, and fine grain. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of blackcurrant, crunchy blackberry, and, more subtly, small red fruits (raspberry, cherry), accompanied by fine varietal touches and delicate hints of chocolate, toast, and discreet notes of vanilla. Good length and persistence. The tannins are very finely plush.

Also terrific, the 2016 Château Larrivet Haut-Brion is in the same league as the 2015 and offers a perfectly balanced, medium to full-bodied style as well as complex notes of red and black fruits, smoked tobacco, incense, and cedar. It picks up a Graves-induced cold fireplace note as it sits in the glass, and again, is a beautifully balanced, layered 2016 that has loads of character. Give bottles a few years and enjoy over the following 15+.

92–94. Barrel Sample. With tannins that are ripe and velvety, this is already a generous wine. At the same time, it has a line of acidity that keeps it crisp and brings out the black currant fruitiness. Put the two elements together and the wine will be on top form after 2027.