Chateau d´Aiguilhe 2016

ANTONIO GALLONI: "The 2016 d'Aiguilhe is absolutely delicious. Succulent, nuanced and inviting, the 2016 has so much to offer. Ripe cherry, plum, French oak, mocha, new leather and spice all flesh out effortlessly. Deep, generous and resonant, the 2016 captures all the best the vintage has to offer. Sweet, silky tannins add to the wine's considerable appeal. It would be nice to see a bit less overtness to the oak. The wine really does not need it. In 2016, d'Aiguilhe is very pretty."

JEB DUNNUCK: "The 2016 Château d'Aiguilhe checks in as 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc brought up in 30% new barrels before being bottled with no fining. As with the white, it has brilliant limestone character as well as vibrant strawberry and black raspberry fruits, hints of violets and flowers, background oak, and medium to full-bodied richness. It’s a balanced, high-quality 2016 well worth seeking out. Drink it over the coming 15 years or so."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: "Ripe, lush, sweet, dark red fruits, silky textures and a long, earthy, fruit-filled finish, with a blast of licorice, dark cocoa and black cherries in the finish. This could be the best vintage of d'Aiguilhe produced yet!"

THE WINEADVOCATE: "The 2016 Chateau d'Aiguilhe is a blend of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc picked from 30 September until 18 October, matured in 30% new oak. It has a warm and sensual bouquet: small macerated black cherries, blueberry and sloes, a light floral tincture emerging with time. This has a little more strictness compared to the 2015 last year. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin and good body. Sappy black fruit, a touch of spice towards the finish, and you have yourself a very fine Côtes de Castillon."

WEINWISSER: "85 % Merlot, 15 % Cabernet Franc, 30 % neue Barriques, Produktion: 240.000 Flaschen. Dichtes Purpur mit violettem Rand. Sehr konzentrierte, blaubeerige Nase nach Brombeerblüten, Cassis und Lakritze, viel Cassisdrops. Am sehr eleganten Gaumen mit salzigem Tannin und, dank des Kalkbodens, viel Frische im langen, sehr eleganten Finale. Für Puristen gedacht mit gewaltigem Potenzial! Dieser Castillon hat mich noch nie so überzeugt!"

WINESPECTATOR: " Juicy loganberry and black currant fruit forms an inviting core, while light bay, tobacco and violet notes fill in around the fruit. Offers a fleshy edge but keeps an emphasis on cut and drive through the finish. Drink now through 2028. 18,375 cases made."