2016
2016
Mas Doix 2016 Salanques Priorat
Spanish Red
Cranberry, raspberry and redcurrant appear with balsamic detail and a light wood note. Dense texture and firm tannic structure are also recorded, alongside blackberry and cherry. The blend is 65% Grenache, 25% Carignan and 10% Syrah. The wine spent fourteen months in new and once-used barrels before bottling. It is a red blend from Priorat, Spain.
Elio Grasso 2016 Barolo Gavarini Chiniera
Italian Red
Red cherry, orange peel and dried rose lead a lifted, finely detailed bouquet. White pepper, mint and anise add freshness, while tar, leather and truffle bring savoury depth. The palate is precise and energetic, with bright acidity carrying the fruit through firm, polished tannins. Long and composed, it closes with red berries, flowers, spice and a chalky mineral grip.
Vega-Sicilia Alión 2016 Ribera del Duero
Spanish Red
Blackberry, plum and dark cherry lead a concentrated, finely layered bouquet. Violet adds aromatic lift, while cocoa, roasted coffee and vanilla bring polished oak detail. The palate is generous yet controlled, with dense fruit carried by fresh acidity and firm, well-shaped tannins. Long and savoury, it finishes with dark berries, toast, spice and a clear mineral note.
Leonetti Cellar 2016 Walla Walla Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
American Red
Blackcurrant, blackberry and dark cherry lead a rich, focused bouquet. Dried rosemary, sage and lavender add lift, while coffee, cocoa and barrel spice bring depth. The palate is full and polished, its ripe fruit supported by firm, noble tannins and fresh acidity. Dense without feeling heavy, it finishes long with cassis, dark chocolate, herbs and a measured savoury note.
Bénédicte & Stéphane Tissot 2016 En Spois Vin Jaune
French White
Dried apple, preserved lemon and roasted walnut open a broad, expressive bouquet. Curry spice, smoke and a light peaty note bring savoury depth, while a subtle floral edge keeps the aromas lifted. The palate is powerful and open, with concentrated yellow fruit held by bright acidity and a distinct saline line. Long and dry, it finishes with nuts, citrus, spice and persistent mineral tension.
Bénédicte & Stéphane Tissot 2016 Vin Jaune Les Bruyères
French White
Walnut, dried yellow apple and bruised orchard fruit lead a deep, savoury bouquet. Curry spice, smoky peat and a subtle citrus note add complexity without blurring the wine's focus. The palate is bone-dry and concentrated, driven by electric acidity and a firm saline line. Long and resonant through the finish, it leaves roasted nuts, yellow fruit, spice and a clear mineral echo.
Padelletti 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Magnum 1.5 L
Italian Red
Cherry and plum lead an intense, fragrant bouquet, with violet, cedar and walnut adding depth. Dried herbs, tobacco and a touch of warm spice bring savoury complexity. The palate is full and tightly composed, its ripe fruit framed by polished tannins and fresh acidity. Mineral detail keeps the richness focused. Long and refined through the finish, it leaves red fruit, flowers, spice and a firm, clean echo.
Giodo 2016 Brunello di Montalcino
Italian Red
Ripe plum and red cherry lead an expressive, seamless bouquet, joined by rose, lavender and sandalwood. Walnut, tobacco and a light touch of toast add savoury depth. The palate is full yet fluid, with vibrant acidity and exceptionally fine tannins giving the fruit clarity and poise. Mineral detail builds through the middle. Long and polished, it finishes with cherry, flowers, spice and a clean stony echo.
Paolo Bea Pagliaro 2016 Montefalco Sagrantino
Italian Red
Dusty dried cherry, plum and blood orange lead an intense, distinctive bouquet, with crushed rose and fragrant purple flowers adding lift. Dark spice, earth and a measured feral note bring savoury depth. The palate is taut and juicy, driven by fresh acidity and firm tannins. Crunchy mineral detail sharpens the long finish, leaving dark fruit, flowers, spice and a persistent dry grip.
Pierre Gimonnet & Fils 2016 Special Club Cramant Grand Cru Champagne
French Wine
Asian pear, nectarine and citrus lead a layered bouquet, with jasmine, freesia and yellow flowers bringing aromatic lift. Hazelnut, pollen and a light waxy note add depth. The palate is rich yet lively, its fine bubbles and fresh acidity keeping the ripe fruit precise. Chalky mineral detail develops through the middle. Harmonious and persistent, it finishes with pear, citrus, nuts and a measured savoury note.
Fuligni 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva
Italian Red
Light garnet in the glass, opening with rose petals, bright red cherry and wild strawberry. Cedar and gentle yellow spice add savoury depth, while a subtle peach note brings lift. The palate is poised and finely structured, with fresh acidity shaping the fruit and polished tannins providing quiet grip. Floral detail returns on a long, measured finish, joined by red berries, spice and a restrained earthy note.
Domaine Ponsot Clos des Monts Luisants Vieilles Vignes 2016 Morey-Saint-Denis Premier Cru Blanc
French Wine
Pale gold in colour, with lemon curd, ripe orchard fruit and a measured nutty edge. Preserved orange and almond add depth, while spice and wet stone keep the nose composed. The palate is broad and lightly creamy, balanced by firm acidity and a focused mineral line. A gentle oxidative note brings savoury complexity without overwhelming the fruit, and the finish is long, dry and quietly saline.
Nardi Vigneto Manachiara 2016 Brunello di Montalcino
Italian Red
Ripe blackberry and cassis open with dark chocolate, toasted oak and a clear mineral line. The palate is robust and concentrated, but precise acidity and velvety tannins keep the structure controlled. Spice and savoury detail build with air, giving the single-vineyard fruit both depth and definition. Full-bodied and persistent, it closes with polished power, mineral tension and a long, balanced finish.
Castiglion del Bosco Campo del Drago 2016 Brunello di Montalcino
Italian Red
Generous and intense, showing crunchy red fruit, liquorice and fresh pepper leaf, with a darker, slightly savoury edge underneath. The palate is broad and juicy, balancing ripe fruit with firm structure and a sense of lift. Tannins are present but well integrated, and the wine builds steadily rather than feeling heavy. The finish is persistent, carrying spice, dried herbs and red fruit long after each sip.
Verus 2016 Muskateller
Slovenian White
Very pale yellow, with an intense Muscat perfume joined by orange and a restrained touch of peach. The palate is slim, clear and lively, balancing gentle sweetness with bright acidity so the overall impression remains nearly dry. Moderate alcohol keeps the aromatics light on their feet. It finishes fresh and persistent, leaving citrus, peach and a clean floral echo.
Château Haut-Batailley 2016 Pauillac
French
Blackcurrant, blueberry and blackberry open with violet, pressed iris and a light peppery note. The palate is tightly framed yet approachable, combining dark fruit with fine, slightly chalky tannins and bright linear acidity. Fresh marzipan and subtle spice add depth as the structure begins to soften. The finish is smooth and persistent, carrying floral lift, ripe fruit and polished Pauillac restraint.
Château La Fleur de Boüard 2016 Lalande-de-Pomerol 1.5 L
French Wine
Black cherry and cassis lead, with ripe blackcurrant, dark plum and a restrained note of spice. Oyster shell and cold flint add a savoury mineral edge. The palate is medium-bodied, smooth and supple, its generous fruit held by structured yet polished tannins. Subtle vanilla and chocolate deepen the middle without overwhelming the fruit. The finish is long, rounded and composed, retaining freshness and fine mineral detail.
Avennia 2016 Arnaut Boushey Vineyard Syrah
American Red
Dark blackberry and blueberry open with grilled meat, crushed olive, black licorice, camphor and pen ink. Full-bodied and deeply concentrated, the palate remains balanced by bright acidity and sweet, fine tannins. Cracked black pepper, pan drippings, orange essence and hand-rubbed sage add savoury complexity. The finish is exceptionally long and nuanced, lingering on saline mineral notes, spice and dark fruit.
Prats & Symington 2016 Chryseia Douro
Portuguese Red
Ripe blackcurrant, red plum and raspberry lead, layered with violet, dark chocolate, licorice and Earl Grey tea. The palate is full-bodied and polished, balancing generous dark fruit with lively acidity and fine-grained, velvety tannins. Pepper, graphite and earthy spice bring definition through the middle. The finish is long and fresh, carrying mocha, floral detail and measured structure.
Nicolas-Jay 2016 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
American Red
Black cherry and plum lead, accented by violet, dried herbs and bay laurel. The palate is dense and focused, with brilliant red and black fruit framed by impressive tannins and racy acidity. Olive, savoury herbs and a saline edge bring definition through the middle. The finish is long and energetic, retaining bright fruit, mineral tension and a composed, structured feel.
Louis Roederer 2016 Vintage Brut Champagne
French Wine
Fine, energetic bubbles lift ripe cherry, redcurrant and candied citrus, followed by hazelnut, warm chalk and delicate toast. The palate is generous yet precise, with nectarine and red fruit carried by a creamy, silky mousse. Mineral tension, subtle spice and a saline edge keep the richness clear. The finish is long and textured, lingering on citrus peel, chalk and roasted nuts.
Château de Laborde 2016 Gevrey-Chambertin Pinot Noir
French Wine
Dark cherry and blackberry open with forest-floor earthiness and a measured thread of spice. The palate is bold and concentrated, with rich black fruit carried by firm, ripe tannins and steady freshness. Savoury detail gives the dense centre definition without making it heavy. The finish is structured and persistent, returning to dark fruit, spice and a gently earthy note.
Thierry Germain Domaine des Roches Neuves 2016 L’Echelier Blanc Saumur Chenin
French
Lemon and grapefruit open with white peach, delicate florals and a touch of honeysuckle. The palate is straight and energetic, combining tangy fruit with notable aromatic depth and a clean, focused texture. Citrus freshness keeps the wine lifted while the fruit gains quiet concentration through the middle. The finish is rich yet precise, lingering on white peach, lemon, flowers and fine mineral detail.
Domaine A.F. Gros 2016 Beaune Premier Cru Les Boucherottes Pinot Noir 1.5 L
French Wine
Raspberry and red cherry lead with darker cherry, gentle spice and a subtle earthy note. The palate is bright and finely shaped, combining generous fruit with polished tannins and a clear line of freshness. Quiet oak detail adds depth without becoming dominant. The finish is persistent and composed, carrying red fruit, spice and savoury nuance with the balance and restraint expected of a carefully made Beaune Premier Cru.
Remoissenet 2016 Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru Les Cazetiers Pinot Noir
French Wine
Black cherry leads an expressive perfume of violet, lavender and fresh mint. The palate is medium-bodied and poised, with finely drawn fruit and a graceful, almost weightless texture. Fresh acidity gives the wine clarity, while fine tannins provide quiet structure without interrupting its flow. The finish is persistent and detailed, carrying cherry, florals and a cool herbal note with polished restraint.
Laurence & Rémi Dufaitre 2016 Brouilly Boldness Gamay 1.5 L
French Red
Bright, aromatic fruit leads in a clear and lifted style, with the perfume taking centre stage. The palate is light on its feet and notably well balanced, carrying fresh fruit through a smooth, composed middle. Fine structure keeps the wine focused without adding weight. The finish remains clean and persistent, with lively fruit and a gently savoury note lingering together.
WALT 2016 Clos Pepe Pinot Noir
American Red
Candied raspberry, tart cranberry and darker berry fruit meet earth, white pepper and paprika. The palate is dense and expressive, yet fresh acidity keeps the ripe fruit lively and defined. Dark spice and a savoury mineral edge add depth through the centre, while fine-grained tannins provide a polished, controlled frame. The finish is long and clean, balancing berry richness with earthy spice and steady freshness.
Palari 2016 Faro
Italian Red
Black fruit, forest berries and cassis meet smoke, tar, leather and a restrained note of toasted wood. The palate is broad and savoury, with delicate fruit carried by notable freshness rather than weight alone. Firm, fine tannins and steady acidity give the wine a dry, structured shape, while liquorice and mineral detail build through a long, balanced finish with a distinctly saline edge.
Giovanni Rosso 2016 Ester Canale Rosso Langhe Nebbiolo
Italian Red
Red cherry and wild berries lead into dried rose, violet and a measured note of sweet spice. The palate is medium-bodied and finely structured, with bright acidity carrying the fruit through firm but balanced tannins. Tobacco, earth and a touch of white pepper add savoury depth, while the finish stays composed and persistent, returning to cherry, floral detail and gentle mineral tension.
Mayacamas Vineyards 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Mount Veeder
American Red
Wild sage, dried herbs and sassafras lead before red currant, damson plum and bitter cherry come into focus. The palate is energetic and firmly structured, with bright acidity and a mineral backbone carrying the fruit rather than sheer weight. Fine tannins add grip, while an iron-streaked savoury note sharpens the long finish. Decant generously and serve with roast beef, lamb or mushrooms.