There’s no doubt that many of the Haut-Médoc 2016s are now hitting their stride. There are a great many wonderful wines to be had at good prices in this appellation which deliver a lot of satisfaction. Amongst the small range shown at the MW Institute’s 2016 tasting at the end of 2021, Château La Lagune, Château La Tour Carnet and Château Cantemerle showed really well. Château Belgrave had a lot of depth and structure but felt like it needed a year or two more at the time of tasting. Separately I’ve since had Château Sénéjac and Château Citran 2016s recently and they have impressed too. The following notes were taken at the MW Institute tasting in December 2021. I hope you find them useful. The wines should have continued to open up and develop nicely since then.

Château Belgrave, Haut-Médoc, 2016

Good colour; intense and meaty on the nose; savoury notes, blackcurrants and spices; little closed on the palate but has good structure and texture and an inky finish. Needs a few years. [69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot, 13% alc]. Drink 2025-2032. Tasted 1/12/21. 90

Château Cantemerle, Haut-Médoc, 2016

Mid depth; healthy looking; intense, inky black fruits some resin and cream; layered inky fruit on the palate with some undergrowth and smokey notes; earthy. Nice texture again [a feature of ‘16]. Fresh finish. [52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 13% alc]. Drink 2024-2036. Tasted 1/12/21. 91

Château La Lagune, Haut-Médoc, 2016

Lovely colour – quite saturated but healthy looking; plush aromatics; fruitcake spice, plums with mocha notes; textured palate with plenty of ripe fruit but evident structure. This is full and satisfying. [60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot, 13.5% alc]. Drink now – 2036. Tasted 1/12/21. 93+

Château La Tour Carnet, Haut-Médoc, 2016

Mid depth; spice black fruits and plums; open and full; full palate which shows quite extracted fruit but this works. Textured and ripe tannins. [64% Merlot, 31% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 14% alc]. Drink now-2032. Tasted 1/12/21. 90