2016 Aile d'Argent Bordeaux White

2016 Aile d'Argent

94 JS

Featured Review

The aromas of dried pineapple and mangoes dominate the nose with hints of macaroons and cooked apples. Full-bodied, dense and tannic with serious thickness. It’s layered, extremely long and chewy with a powerful and ripe finish. Exotic, wild wine with large presence. Why wait? James Suckling

James Suckling | 94 JS

This has almost an edge of sherry to the attack, shot through with gorgeous freshness through the mid-palate accompanied by white flowers and nectarines, adding light and juice. It has great persistency and is clearly an extremely good quality wine that's not going anywhere for a good few years. It's not as immediately joyous as the 2015 was in bottle at last year's tasting, but they have still managed to capture the lush signature of this white.
Drinking Window 2018 - 2030.

Decanter | 93 DEC

Most people don’t know it, but this estate makes a brilliant white. The 2016 Château Mouton Rothschild Blanc is based mostly on Sauvignon Blanc yet includes a small amount of Sémillon and Muscadelle, all of which is brought up in a mix of new and used barrels. This beauty boasts a light gold color as well as classic notes of Meyer lemon, crushed citrus, brioche, and honeyed minerality. Medium to full-bodied, concentrated, and balanced, with awesome purity, it stands up to the top whites in the vintage. It should drink well for 15 years or more.

Jeb Dunnuck | 93 JD

The 2016 Aile d’Argent underwent a high percentage of malolactic fermentation (27%). It has a generous, expressive bouquet of honeysuckle, beeswax and lime flower aromas, and just a light oily/Riesling note in the background. The palate is well balanced and crisp, with a fine line of acidity and a touch of stem ginger and orange peel toward the finish. This is beautifully balanced and long, and while not quite in the league of the 2015 Aile d’Argent, it is seriously delicious.

Vinous Media | 92 VM

Blended of 53% Sauvignon Blanc, 46% Sémillon and 1% Muscadelle, the 2016 Aile d'Argent comes charging forth with tropical fruit notes of guava and pineapple plus peach preserves, lemongrass, candied ginger and orange blossoms with a waft of clover honey. Medium-bodied, the palate is broad and rich with just enough freshness, finishing on a savory note.

Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 90 RP

Creamy, with almost tropical flavors, this wine is also fresh with some gooseberry and herbal edges. The combination makes for a bright wine that also has weight and a touch of toastiness. Drink now.

Wine Enthusiast | 90 WE

Bold, delivering apricot, melon and pear flavors gilded with a warm piecrust note. There's a light hazelnut hint through the finish, where the fruit plays out easily. Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon. Drink now.

Wine Spectator | 90 WS

Type of Wine	Bordeaux White : In the world of wine, all other regions must bow before Bordeaux. The absurdly-talented white wine producers continue to assert their dominance by bringing out the true potential of varietals such as Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, and Sauvignon Gris. If you have even the slightest bit of appreciation for fine white wine, these bottles will change your life.
Varietal	Bordeaux Blend
Country	France : Wine is the lifeblood that courses through the country of France, pulsing with vigorous pride and determination. Viticulture is not just a hobby or an occupation in France; it is a passion, a cherished tradition that has been passed down through generations of wine stained hands. Winemaking is a beloved art that has been ingrained in the culture, an aptitude instilled in sons by fathers and the hallmark for which France’s reputation was built, allowing it to be renowned as, arguably, the most important wine producing country in the world. For centuries, France has been producing wines of superior quality and in much greater quantity than any other country in the world. It boasts some of the most impressive wine regions, coveted vineyards and prestigious wines on earth. The regions of Bordeaux, Burgundy, Rhone, Sauternes and Champagne have become the benchmark, for which others aspire to become. Legendary producers such as Chateaux Margaux, Domaine De La Romanee Conti, Chapoutier, d’Yquem and Dom Perignon are idolized world-wide. France has stamped its name on nearly every style of wine, from the nectar-like sweet Sauternes to hedonistic Chateauneuf Du Papes classic Bordeaux and Burgundy, to its sparkling dominance in Champagne. Many of the most infamous grape varietals in the world, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay originated in France and are not only beloved, but utilized in the creation of some of the greatest wines on earth. French wine production commands the attention of the wine market year after year. With over 860,000 hectares under vine, and numbers close to 50 million hectoliters of wine produced annually, France dominates the market and sets the standard for not only product quality, but also quantity. France’s many contributions to the world of wine have been absolutely indispensable. The country is the originator of the term “Premier Cru,” coined the term Terroir (a French term so complex there is no literal translation) and has laid the blueprint for a structured appellation system, which others have implemented in their own countries. French vineyard techniques and winemaking practices are mimicked world-wide. California vintners have been replicating Rhone style wines for decades, South America has adopted the French varietal of Malbec and countries around the world are imitating Burgundian styled Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. With vast diversity in terroir, France is home to some of the most hospitable winegrowing locations on earth. The combination of topography, geology, climate, rainfall and even the amount of sunlight combined with the long historical tradition of winegrowing and making, has allowed the vintners of France to not only hone their skills, but learn from nature to create a product that like the world in which it resides… is very much alive.