2016 La Garde Rouge 2016 1500ml

94 POINTS

James Suckling

What a great nose this has! The integration of black fruit and oak is spot on. Powerful, but with classical elegance, thanks to the polished tannins and the cool, mineral freshness that extends right through the long, refined finish. The best vintage ever from this chateau. Drink or hold.

93 POINTS

Roger Voss - Wine Enthusiast

Barrel Sample. Velvety tannins give this wine its open charm and fine texture. Structured yet crisp in acidity, hold this wine until 2027.

92 POINTS

Bettane & Desseauve - Bettane & Desseauve

Nez riche, épanoui et exubérant, fruit bien mûr, notes minérales et fleuries, bouche tout aussi aromatique, charnue, avec des tannins très serrés et de l’allonge. Energique, complet, tout en restant élégant, ce vin montre un bon potentiel.

91 POINTS

Yves Beck - Yvesbeck.wine

Pourpre violacé. Le bouquet de La Garde révèle des notes de baies noires telles que mûres et myrtilles. Au palais la mise en bouche est friande et rafraîchissante. Le vin est compact, doté de tannins parfaitement intégrés et d'une structure qui soutient bien l'expression fruitée. La Garde parvient idéalement à assimiler puissance et race. De surcroit, il a un excellent potentiel, mais il risque d'être bu avant. 2022-2036 91/100

90 POINTS

Neal Martin - Vinous

The 2016 La Garde has a lifted bouquet of violet-tinged red fruit, mint and light cedar scents. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins and simple black fruit laced with tobacco, leading to a nicely defined if straitlaced finish that just needs 3–4 years in bottle. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.

90 POINTS

Jeb Dunnuck

Coming from the consulting team of Michel Rolland, the 2016 Château La Garde is a beauty from the Graves region that delivers classic notes of tobacco and leafy herbs, gravelly minerality, smoked earth, and assorted dark fruits. Deep ruby/purple-colored, medium to full-bodied, with ripe tannins and a mouthfilling texture, I’d happily drink bottles over the coming 10-15 years.

90 POINTS

James Molesworth - Wine Spectator

Solid, with a fleshy feel to the dark plum and cassis fruit flavors that are inlaid liberally with warm tar, plum skin and roasted cedar notes. A touch muscular in feel but has enough acidity for balance in the end. Best from 2021 through 2029. 17,108 cases made.  –JM

Neal Martin - Wine Advocate

The 2016 La Garde, blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 47% Merlot and 3% Petit Verdot, offers dark berry fruit on the nose, hints of cedar and sandalwood, nicely poised and gaining intensity in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, rounded in the mouth with black tea-tinged dark berry fruit and a composed, harmonious and almost easygoing finish. This is a step up from the 2015.