Description

Reynon Rouge is a lovely wine from the Cotes de Bordeaux. In a vintage like 2016 it offers great value. You can either use it for younger drinking or a short stint in your cellar. I’d look at it after 2023. Lamb would be a lovely match.

Cabernet Sauvignon

The noble variety of Bordeaux’s left bank. Firm tannins, a streak of acidity and punctuated by flavours of cassis, violets, spice and leather. The best examples can age for the long term. Although Cabernet does often require blending with Merlot, Cabernet Franc or Shiraz to fix the hole it has in its middle palate.

Merlot

It gets a tough time most of the places it is grown. But in Pomerol and Saint-Emilion Merlot not only dominates but makes some of the best wines in the world. Perfume, silky and plush. Cabernets Franc and Sauvignon season the wines with structure and acid but in some places, like Petrus they are almost not needed.

Bordeaux 2016

A vintage of two extremes which counteracted each other and we ended up with one of the best vintages we’ve seen in a while.