Chateau d'Arsac 2016

A lighter-framed Margaux with an emphasis on floral notes and raspberry fruit. Good quality, enjoyable, no need to wait before cracking this open, and it’s full of pleasure.

The fragrant ripe-blackberry nose leads into this rather powerful Margaux with plenty of structure, the tannins building nicely on the long, moderately firm finish. Drink or hold.

First sample tasted in London: rather luscious. Very slightly tired sample on the nose. Lacks a bit of drive, but I suspect it's the sample at fault, not the wine. Second sample tasted in Bordeaux: smudgy crimson. Broad start and then pretty inky and pinched on the finish. (JR)

The 2016 d’Arsac has a taut, linear bouquet tinged with graphite. The palate is medium-bodied and lithe, with supple tannins, a mix of red and black fruit, and a nicely poised finish. Lovely, but tempting to drink early! Tasted at the Cru Bourgeois tasting in London.

Medium-bodied, fresh, bright, and forward, this is a ready-to-go, early-drinking, earthy, red-currant-filled charmer. Drink from 2022–2032.

Deep ruby red colour with a purple hue. The nose offers aromatic herbs, red and dark berries with some new oak, mocha and tobacco. Medium weight palate, still youthful with a restrained texture, savoury red fruit, tobacco, fine spice notes and good length. Still a bit restrained needing a few more years to soften.

Garnet-ruby with a dense core. Delicate aromas of strawberry and forest floor, with raspberry and cherry-tobacco in the background. On the palate it’s substantial but with a rugged texture, some waxy notes and lingonberries; it lacks warmth and flesh, so charm is elusive.

Kunz barrel sample 17: Herbs, light bouquet, red berries, wood. Light, slender palate with finely sandy tannins, light fruit, delicate aromatics, bitter finish.

Herbs, light bouquet, red berries, wood. Light, slender palate with finely sandy tannins, light fruit, delicate aromatics, bitter finish. 16/20 2022 - 2032

Fresh floral notes from the opening moments of the wine, rose petals and peonies. Relatively high acidity for a 2016 vintage, this majors on raspberry and redcurrant fruits and is juicy, with a sappy mouthwatering finish. Lighter in colour and expression than the other 2016s in the lineup, and one to drink now and over the next decade. Located on one of highest points of the Margaux appellation, an enjoyable example of the vintage. Philippe Raoux owner.

Exuberant nose of ripe red fruits with smoky, mineral and toasted notes; a fleshy, warm palate with great length. A rather opulent Margaux.

The bouquet of the 2016 immediately shows freshness. It reveals subtle fruity notes of raspberry and blackcurrant, followed by peppermint. Lively attack. The wine has richness, energy, and is supported by tannins that provide solid backbone. It will need a bit of time to relax, but the outlook is promising as the firm tannins are well balanced by delicious fruit!