Chateau Ferriere 2016

ANTONIO GALLONI: "The 2016 Ferrière is a dense, full-bodied wine that is going to need at least a few years in bottle to shed some of its tannins. Old vines imbue the 2016 with a palpable sense of power and resonance that comes through in the wine's dark, somber personality. The tannins are equally imposing though, so patience is essential. Blackberry, smoke and gravel are some of the notes that build as the 2016 starts to open in the glass."

DECANTER: "Poised but subdued notes of blackberry, bilberry and hawthorn lead into a palate that settles in the glass. You can feel the tannins build up fairly swiftly, and they come in on the mid-palate to provide some welcome framing for the fruit. Bottled in September, only a month before this tasting, which will have an impact of course, but it still seems just a touch below the 2015. Currently undergoing biodynamic conversion. Matured in 40% new oak. Eric Boissenot consults. Drinking Window 2024 - 2040:"

FALSTAFF: "Tiefdunkles Rubingranat, opaker Kern, dezente Randaufhellung, etwas verhalten, schwarze Beerenfrucht, zarte Kräuterwürze, tabakige Nuancen. Mittlere Komplexität, reife Pflaumen, gut eingebettete Tannine, angenehme Frische, im Abgang noch etwas holzdominiert."

JAMES SUCKLING: "Tangy and fruity with spice and berry character. Full body, chewy tannins and a tight finish. This will fill out nicely in barrel. From biodynamic grapes."

JANCIS ROBINSON: "Deep cherry red with purple rim. Elegant and fragrant on the nose. Firm, compact and super-fine tannin texture. Subtle, supple – the complete opposite of showy and very nice with it."

THE WINEADVOCATE: "The 2016 Ferriere is an accomplished Margaux for the vintage. It has a feminine, refined bouquet with blackberry, wild strawberry and light rose petal aromas, just a hint of vanilla from the new oak that is neatly integrated. The palate is medium-bodied with ripe, quite juicy tannin. This is very harmonious with fine tannin, impressive depth and a sense of mineralité that is in tune with this vintage. I thought that the 2015 Ferriere was excellent, but this is another step up. Bravo, Clare Villars Lurton!"

WEINWISSER: "Dunkles Granat, recht satt in der Mitte, rubiner Rand. Verführerisches, schier parfümiertes Bouquet, Kirschtöne und Waldhimbeeren, fein mit Kräuternoten unterlegt. Im Gaumen mit Power, aber auch mit Finessen aufwartend, die Tannine sind reif, das Finale aromatisch. Toll gelungen."

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "From a vineyard that is now biodynamic, the wine has gained an extra dimension of fruit. At the same time, the tannins give the wine density that will stand it in good stead as it ages. This is for the long term."