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The 2016 La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc is, unusually, dominated by Sauvignon Blanc at 62.7%, with 37.3% Semillon making up the blend. It needs a fair bit of swirling to coax out notes of lime leaves, lemongrass, and shaved ginger, over a core of gooseberry preserves, apple tart, and chalk dust. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has electric intensity, featuring mineral-sparked citrus layers and a silken texture, finishing long and energetic.The Wine Independent | 98 TWIRanking with the top 3-4 whites in the vintage, the 2016 Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc is Sauvignon-dominated in 2016 and is 62.7% Sauvignon and 37.3% Sémillon. Vibrant and racy, with beautiful tension and purity, it offers a classic perfume of tart apples, dried herbs, lemon curd, and a liquid rock-like minerality that develops with time in the glass. The buzzwords here are vibrant, bright, tight, and great.Jeb Dunnuck | 97 JDAlthough this has great freshness, candied-lemon and complex dried herb character, it also has a rich and waxy side, plus a touch of vanilla. Rich and powerful with a lot more structure than most Pessac-Léognan whites. It also has wonderful tension and drive that’s rooted in the vibrant acidity, but supported by the mineral and lemon-zest notes. A blend of 62.7 per cent sauvignon blanc and 37.3 per cent semillon. Better from 2021.James Suckling | 96 JSConditions were a little challenging for the Sémillon this year, and the blend of the La Mission Haut-Brion 2016 Blanc is, unusually, dominated by Sauvignon Blanc (62.7%) with 37.3% Sémillon. It reveals subtle notions of mandarin peel, fresh grapefruit and pineapple with touches of crushed rocks, white peaches and coriander seed. Medium-bodied, the palate has a racy line of freshness cutting through the vibrant citrus and tropical layers, finishing on a lingering mineral note. Considering the challenges, this is a very impressive result!Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 95+ RPThis is both bold and bright, with a flood of white peach, lemon cream, Jonagold apple, honeysuckle and verbena notes streaming through, all stitched with a fine quinine thread and caressed by a suave hint of shortbread on the finish. Best from 2022 through 2032. 547 cases made.Wine Spectator | 94 WSRising vertically through the palate, it has lift, juiciness, savouriness, and a delicacy that matches the intensity of flavour beat for beat. There is richness and weight through the mid-palate, with almond touches, and I love the mouth-watering salinity on the finish, it’s just so moreish. Unusually there is a majority Sauvignon Blanc in 2016 as there were very high yields in the Sémillon that meant a touch of dilution, plus the heat of the summer meant they were grateful for the fresh kick of Sauvignon Blanc.Decanter | 94 DECThe 2016 La Mission Haut-Brion Blanc has improved on the nose since en primeur, offering gently unfolding white peach, red apple, chalk and light yellow flower aromas. The palate is well balanced with a fine bead of acidity, taut and linear and a little wavier than its Haut Brion Blanc counterpart, leaving a touch of lemongrass on the aftertaste. A refined, cerebral proposition that will age like those great Lavilles of the past.Vinous Media | 93 VMThis wine is is rich in oak tones that are accompanied by tangy citrus and minerality. The richness and the structure will allow this wine to age further, certainly for the medium term. Drink from 2022. Wine Enthusiast | 93 WE

Aromas of sandalwood, cedar and dark berries follow through to a full body, with chewy and rich tannins that remain fine-grained and polished. Flavorful, too. Second wine of Lynch. Try after 2023.James Suckling | 93 JSThe 2016 Echo de Lynch Bages is an irresistibly beautiful, racy Pauillac. Sweet floral and spice overtones add brilliant top notes to a core of bright red cherry and plum fruit. Generous, supple and inviting, with silky tannins, the 2016 is going to be ready to deliver considerable pleasure upon release. Today, it is beautiful and alluring.Antonio Galloni | 92 AGThis is on the muscular side, with a taut frame of chalky minerality around a slightly chunky core of red and black currant paste flavors. Lots of charcoal and warm cast iron notes score the finish, lending additional texture and length to the overall impression. A violet hint flows through to give this a hint of charm. Best from 2022 through 2035.Wine Spectator | 92 WSThe second wine of the estate is the 2016 Echo de Lynch Bages, mostly Cabernet Sauvignon blended with 27% Merlot, all aged in once-used barrels. Classic dark fruits, graphite, licorice, cedarwood, and subtle oak all emerge from this medium-bodied, balanced, layered Pauillac. With terrific purity, drink this while you do your best to stay away from the grand vin.Jeb Dunnuck | 92 JDEcho de Lynch-Bages this year accounts for 25% of overall production, and even here we are at a tannin index of 85IPT. But the freshness is undeniable, with a pH of 3.55 giving beautiful violet reflections on the colour. On the palate, there are softer brambly fruits than in the grand vin. 73% Cabernet Sauvignon and 27% Merlot. Drinking Window 2025 - 2038.Decanter | 91 DECThe 2016 Echo de Lynch Bages is deep garnet-purple colored and opens with kirsch, redcurrant jelly and baked blackcurrants with nuances of tilled soil and dried herbs. The palate is medium-bodied, packed, elegant, refreshing and tightly wound with firm tannins, finishing long.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 90 RP

The 2016 Le Petit Haut Lafitte is a fabulous second wine from Smith Haut Lafitte. Inky blue/purplish berry fruit, lavender, menthol, licorice and cloves give the Petit Haut Lafitte its striking aromatic complexity. Deep, resonant and exquisitely layered, the 2016 is a real joy to taste. I would cellar it for another year or two. The 2016 has enough depth and pedigree to develop beautifully for the next 10-15 years. Antonio Galloni | 94 AGThe wine, a majority of young Cabernet Sauvignon with Merlot, is structured and firm with solid tannins and layers of black currant. This will be ready to be drink after 2025. Wine Enthusiast | 94 WEThe 2016 Le Petit Haut Lafitte is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot matured in 20% new oak. It has a well-defined bouquet with mulberry, cranberry, pressed flowers and a touch of undergrowth; it is neatly defined though not powerful, but it does demonstrare commendable precision. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp and firm tannin, quite tensile and energetic (more so than the Les Hauts de Smith) with impressive structure and length on the almost Pauillac-like, graphite infused finish. Do not ignore this little gem from Château Smith Haut-Lafitte, because it always punches above its weight.Robert Parker Neal Martin | 91-93 RP-NMRestrained scents of subtle black cherry, pencil lead, violets and toasted wood. Very attractive wine. Concentration yet remains elegant despite the weight. (Drink between 2022-2035)Decanter | 92 DECThe freshness and the currant aromas are very enticing. Blackberries, too. Full-bodied, very linear and crisp. Fine tannins. 60 per cent cabernet sauvignon and 40 per cent merlot. Better after 2021, but already very pretty.James Suckling | 92 JSThere are two second wines of the estate, one based on Cabernet Sauvignon and one based on Merlot. The 2016 Le Petit Haut Lafitte is the Cabernet-dominated release and is 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot brought up in 20% new oak. This medium to full-bodied, elegant, finesse-driven effort offers classic notes of tobacco leaf, cigar, graphite, and assorted dark fruits as well as a touch of minerality. Medium to full-bodied, elegant, and impeccably balanced, it’s going to be better with 2-3 years of bottle age and keep for a decade. (Drink between 2022-2032)Jeb Dunnuck | 91 JDFresh and ripe, with a forward core of raspberry and red currant preserve flavors, laced with violet and red licorice notes. A lightly tarry hint gives the finish energy. Best from 2021 through 2028. 6,667 cases made.Wine Spectator | 90 WS

The 2016 Dame de Montrose is also gorgeous, and the second wines of Bordeaux continue to gain in quality. A blend of 52% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, aged in 30% new oak, this beauty has impressive amounts of creme de cassis, graphite, violets, and damp earth that give way to a medium to full-bodied, layered, pure, and seamless beauty that has real class. It’s well worth seeking out and will hopefully help you to keep your hands off the grand vin for at least a few years. (Drink between 2019-2039)Jeb Dunnuck | 93 JDExtremely perfumed and beautiful with bright, violet and plum aromas. Full to medium body, very fine and firm tannins and transparent fruit. Linear and refined with a very long finish. Second wine of Château Montrose. Try in 2022.James Suckling | 93 JSThe 2020 Sauvignon Blanc is bright, crisp and full of varietal character. Lemon peel, sage, mint, white flowers and crushed rocks all grace this exquisite, crystalline Sauvignon Blanc from Spottswoode. The 2020 should age gracefully for a number of years.Antonio Galloni | 93 AGTannins are very present in this dense wine. But so are vibrant, crisp black-currant flavors and acidity. The combination of tannins and fresh acidity will drive this second wine of Château Montrose forward. Drink from 2023.Wine Enthusiast | 92 WEA gorgeous second wine in this vintage. It’s almost seductive, with deep, rich spice and fruit flavours on the palate, along with plenty of vibrancy and aromas of violets, plums and smoke. La Dame represents 42% of the estate’s production – and is a real bargain for the quality. (Drink between 2022-2035)Decanter | 91 DECThe 2020 Sauvignon Blanc opens with vivacious lime juice, yuzu peel and grapefruit scents, followed by notions of lemongrass and wet pebbles. Medium-bodied and intense, it has racy citrus flavors and a steely finish.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 91 RP