Sweet dark fruits on the nose, like black cherry jam with lovely touches of Cabernet Franc apparent in the herbal, perfumed nuances. Super soft and succulent, this is rich and concentrated but delivered in a velvet glove...

A rocking effort that brings the goods, the 2016 Château Montviel is a tiny production cuvée based on 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc brought up in new barrels. Surpassing the terrific 2015, it boasts a deep purple...

Sweet, warm, graceful, expressive. This small zone’s harmony and rightness is evident in this wine’s aroma: calm, soft, nourishing, teasing and easeful. This is pure, smooth, singing and lyrical: lovely plum and bramble...

This is soft and chewy with very round tannins and lots of blackberry, toasted-oak, walnut and earth character. Traditional with a new vibe. Full-bodied, layered and juicy. Some tobacco, stem and chocolate, too. Better...

A legendary wine, with reason. I have only tasted this once, at the home of a very kind friend, exactly as it should be drunk – over a dinner table, where it managed to stop the conversation. It is still young, just now...

Deep, dark berries with lots of tree bark, black tea and dark chocolate. Medium-to full-body and enveloped by fine, polished tannins that give it form and focus. Try after 2023, yet very approachable even now.

I am spellbound by the aromas of crushed blackberries, licorice, black tea and violets. It’s full-bodied yet so intense and linear. Powerful tannins with superb polish and focus give an amazing texture. Complex and...

(JS 95-96 points) The layers of tannins are really something in the mouth. They are ultra-fine and spread across the palate. Chewy and structured with intensity and beauty. Traditional and real. Shows promise.

Still young, this is evolving at a glacial pace, yet there is no denying the greatness in this bottle. Deep in color, the wine pops with notes of licorice, black plum liqueur, dark cherries, chocolate, espresso, truffle...