Chateau Larrivet Haut-Brion Passac Leognan 2016 (750ml)

 

Rated 94 Points by James Suckling

 

Very attractive, earthy aromas with an array of herbal and leafy notes, as well as a dark-berry thread and earthy complexity.  The palate has great depth and drive with a bright array of juicy red and darker berries.  Plush, ripe tannins.  Try from 2022.

 

Rated 94 Points by Decanter

 

What a brilliant vintage this is - just so complete.  Honestly at this level, where prices don't change that dramatically between vintages, you should go for the 2016 if you have the option.  It's on a different level in terms of depth and structure, and has opened up further from my tasting two years ago.  You can drink it now, although will probably improve again over the next few years.  Excellent Pessac-Léognan character, polish and balance but also plenty of black fruits and great chocolate; hard to argue with.

 

Rated 93 Points by Wine Spectator

 

Lively cassis and damson plum fruit gives this a fresh feel, while light sanguine and singed alder notes add contrast through the finish.  Barrel Sample: 90-93 Points

 

Rated 93 Points by Wine Enthusiast

 

With tannins that are ripe and velvety, this is already a generous wine.  At the same time, it has a line of acidity that keeps it crisp and brings out the black currant fruitiness.  Put the two elements together and the wine will be on top form after 2027.

 

Rated 93 Points by Jeb Dunnuck

 

Also terrific, the 2016 Château Larrivet Haut-Brion is in the same league as the 2015 and offers a perfectly balanced, medium to full-bodied style as well as complex notes of red and black fruits, smoke tobacco, incense, and cedar.  It picks up a Graves-induced cold fireplace note as it sits in the glass, and again, is a beautifully balanced, layered 2016 that has loads of character.  Give bottles a few years and enjoy over the following 15+.

 

Rated 92 Points by Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

 

Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, the 2016 Larrivet Haut-Brion reveals a beguiling, earthy/truffle-laced nose with notions of crushed rocks, tilled soil, fungi and mossy bark over a core of warm cassis and blackberry compote.  Medium to full-bodied, the palate is elegantly crafted with soft, fine-grained tannins and seamless freshness, finishing with a quiet intensity of savory nuances.

 

Chateau Larrivet Haut-Brion Passac Leognan 2016

 

The color of the wine is dark ruby with purplish reflections.  To start with, the first nose is a bit closed but it opens quickly to bright and neat fruits.  Smoked and liquorice notes then appear, characteristic of the great Cabernet of Léognan terroir.  The overall impression remains fresh.  The mouth is dense and long, without shallow, perfectly built.  The tannins are powerful with a lovely texture.  A great wine for a great vintage of Bordeaux.

 

Composition:  50% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc

 

Barrel Aging:  16 Months, 33% New

 

Second Wine:  Ladies of Larrivet Haut Brion

 

 

Chateau Larrivet Haut-Brion Passac Leognan

 

Philippe Gervoson

 

Area Under Vine:  75 hectares

 

Production:  Red Wine: 150,000 Bottles, White Wine: 20,000 Bottles

 

Château Larrivet Haut-Brion was cited as one of the leading wines in the commune of Léognan as early as 1840.

 

The Gervoson family acquired the estate in 1987 and have worked hard ever since to restore this wine's illustrious reputation.

 

Spread over a hundred hectares, Larrivet Haut-Brion presently has 75 hectares of vines, as well as 13 hectares of grounds, woods, and meadows.

 

An ambitious modernization program in the cellar (pneumatic winepress using inert gas, optical sorting of grapes, etc.) and vineyard (detailed soil survey for improved plot-by-plot management) has resulted in wines renowned for their elegance and character.

 

Representing the upcoming generation of her family, Émilie Gervoson tirelessly works towards enhancing Château Larrivet Haut-Brion and promoting the wine around the world.

 

 

Rated 93 Points by Wine Enthusiast

 

With tannins that are ripe and velvety, this is already a generous wine.  At the same time, it has a line of acidity that keeps it crisp and brings out the black currant fruitiness.  Put the two elements together and the wine will be on top form after 2027.

 

 

 

Rated 93 Points by Wine Spectator

 

Lively cassis and damson plum fruit gives this a fresh feel, while light sanguine and singed alder notes add contrast through the finish.  Barrel Sample: 90-93 Points