Pédesclaux Pauillac 2016

95 points James Suckling: "So aromatic with crushed currants, raspberries and blackberries with hints of graphite and lead pencil. Full-bodied and very tight with beautiful tannins and a long, flavorful finish. The tannins really build at the end of the palate. Try from 2024. (1/17/19)"

94 points Neal Martin (Vinous): "The 2016 Pédesclaux is the first vintage to include all four grape varieties planted in the vineyard, according to Emmanuel Cruse. It has a very focused, concentrated bouquet of blackberry, graphite, hints of tobacco and a slight granitic scent - très Pauillac. The palate is medium-bodied with silky tannin, impressive depth, gentle grip and a killer line of acidity. I adore the harmony and precision of this Pédesclaux, which is probably the best to date. Highly recommended. 13.3% alcohol. Drink: 2024-2045. (Jan 2019)"

94 points Jeb Dunnuck: "An estate that’s unquestionably on the upswing, the 2016 Château Pédesclaux is made from 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot, and 3% Cabernet Franc that spent 18 months in 60% new oak. In the past, the wines from this estate have been slightly chunky, but that started to change around 2014, and I think this 2016 is the best yet. Beautiful blue fruits, violets, spicy oak, and a touch of minerality all emerge from this medium-bodied Pauillac, which has fine, polished tannins, a seamless texture, and a great finish. With purity and finesse as well as richness and depth, it’s already reasonably approachable today, but it’s going to evolve for three decades or more. Drink: 2022-2052. (2/28/19)"

94 points Jane Anson (Decanter): "This really shows the heart of 2016 in the northern Médoc - it has the triumvirate of good acidity, good tannins and good fruit. It's a little austere and is going to take its time to truly get going. A second bottle proved much better for depth, as we queried rusticity on the nose of the first bottle. The second instead showed a hawthorn, hedgerow character and gorgeously rich black fruits, concentrated and focussed, and given complexity by tobacco and spice. It's the first time that four grape varieties have been used in the grand vin - Cabernet, Merlot, Petit Verdot, plus 3% Cabernet Franc. Eric Boissenot consults. Drinking Window: 2024-2038. (10/7/18)"

93 points Lisa Perrotti-Brown (Wine Advocate): "The 2016 Pedesclaux is composed of 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc. It aged for 18 months in 60% new and 40% one-year-old French oak. It has a deep garnet-purple color and nose of crushed red and black currants and blackberries with cigar box, new leather, pencil lead and crushed rocks. The palate is medium-bodied, elegant, fresh and lively with loads of mineral nuances and a lovely earthy finish. Drink: 2019-2036. (Nov 2018)"

93 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The 2016 Pédesclaux has turned out beautifully. Dark cherry, plum, mocha, leather, chocolate, rose petal and dried herbs are all generous in this plump, juicy Pauillac. Medium in body, expressive and racy, Pédesclaux is a super appealing, modern Pauillac with soft curves and tons of immediacy. Drink: 2022-2036. (Jan 2019)"

93 points Chris Kissack (Winedoctor): "A very fine vintage for the region of course, and one in which Vincent Bache-Gabrielsen really bit the organic bullet, increasing the area cared for using organics up to 12.5 hectares. Cabernet Sauvignon here accounts for just 48% of the blend, with plenty of Merlot in the mix, but also Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. This remains fresh, delineated and youthful on the nose at five years of age, with curranty fruits at its core, but there is a little development too, suggested by tobacco and cedary pencil notes. The palate feels straight down the line, finely poised and pure, with dark fruits swimming in a sinewy frame, dressed with fresh acidity and a little suggestion of mineral. This is holding up very nicely, and demands more cellar time. (Feb 2021)"

93 points Jeff Leve (The Wine Cellar Insider): "One of the more obscure Classified Growths deserves a lot more attention because this is a very good wine. Good levels of concentration allow you a rich bite of juicy, dark red fruits in every sniff and sip. The fruit has lift and crunch. The tannins are soft and firm and the finish tastes as good as it feels. There is length, structure, energy, and the ability to age and evolve for at least 2-3 decades. (Apr 2020)"

93 points Peter Moser (Falstaff): "Deep dark ruby, opaque core, subtle brightening on the rim. Floral bouquet with fresh cassis, a hint of blackberry confit and fresh tangerine zest. Medium body, fine fruit sweetness with red berries, integrated tannins, mineral and long. A freshly structured food wine. (5/24/17)"

93 points La Revue du Vin de France: "2016 has produced an intense, robust wine that lacks only a touch more refinement. The ripe fruit is generous and the finish is marked by firm tannins. (2020)"