2016 Le Boscq

Barrel Sample. This is a wine that, even with its firm tannins, brings out opulent blackberry fruits and great acidity. It is concentrated, relying on its great structure, and should be ready to enjoy from 2029.

Wonderful aromas of crushed, fresh flowers and berries. Fantastic. Full body and round, velvety tannins. Deep and glorious. This delivers way above its price level. A blend of 48 per cent cabernet sauvignon, 47 per cent merlot and five per cent petit verdot.

Le Médoc le plus complet présenté par Dourthe : grande couleur, tannin racé de cèdre, long, sans doute le meilleur de l’histoire récente et un vrai rival pour les crus classés. Grand rapport qualité-prix probable !

The 2016 Château Le Boscq a rock star of a Saint-Estephe and offers a concentrated, textured, perfectly balanced profile that’s very much in the style of the vintage. Liquid violets, mint, spring flowers, and blue fruit characteristics all emerge from this medium to full-bodied effort. It has present tannins, yet they’re integrated and polished, and it’s already accessible given its purity and, again, its balance. It should keep for 20 years or so.

This is an exceptional vintage for this property, owned by Dourthe Vignobles, who have produced a wine that is showing exceptionally well. It has extremely well controlled fruit extraction shot through with cinnamon and black pepper notes, some excellent tension and juicy fruit. Clearly an improvement on the 2015, and a great value pick. 50% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petit Verdot.Drinking Window 2025 - 2040

The 2016 Le Boscq, owned by Vignobles Dourthe, is a blend of 50% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petit Verdot and was picked 29 September until 20 October. This represents a move towards Cabernet Sauvignon and away from Merlot in the final blend. It has a very ripe, opulent bouquet that does not quite convey its terroir with the same aplomb as say, the Phelan-Ségur. It translates more of the winemaking than the terroir. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy red fruit, crisp acidity and quite an elegant finish. It is in the second half of this wine that the quality of the vintage shows through. Hopefully the aromatics will gain more composure and it will live up to the finish it currently displays. One to watch.

Rouge rubis aux reflets violets. Quel nez ! Intensément fruité et marqué par des notes de baies qui alternent entre le rouge et le noir. Touche épicée, boite à cigares et cèdre. Tout comme le nez, l'expression aromatique de la bouche est intense et fruitée. Le Boscq 2016 a de la race, des tannins denses et une structure qui confère fraîcheur et caractère. Un vin qui a besoin d'un peu de garde en cave. Belle réussite. 2022-2036 92/100

This is both winey, with currant and cherry paste flavors, as well as tangy, with bright iron minerality for spine and a lilac note flitting through. The taut finish has pebbly grip. Not big, but should be fun to watch this mellow slightly with time. Best from 2021 through 2031. 6,500 cases made.  –JM