Bordeaux 2016 Wine Prices Released

Both James Suckling and Jean-Marc Quarin awarded it a straight 100-points, with Suckling exclaiming that, “its energy and dynamic nature grabs you by the shoulder and tells you it’s great”.

Critics have highly praised this year’s Mission Haut Brion. Neal Martin placed the wine within the 98 to 100-point bracket, commenting that the 2016 “leaves you reaching for the thesaurus looking for superlatives.” Jean-Marc Quarin was effusive in his praise of the wine’s fruit and freshness, awarding the highest possible score of 100 points.

Buyers looking to access the Mission Haut Brion brand at a lower price point might consider the 2012 vintage, which carries a lower score of 96 points but it is available at a 50% discount to the current release.

Critical reception of this year’s vintage has been positive. James Suckling awarded a score of 95-96 points, commenting that the wine has “a density and beauty that seduces you.” Neal Martin scored Larcis Ducasse 93-95 points, noting that it was “one to watch”.

Buyers looking for value might be interested in the higher scoring 2012, which can be found at a 40% discount to today’s release price.

James Suckling scored the wine 94-95, noting that this year’s offering is “a pretty follow-up to the stupendous 2015.” Neal Martin, awarding a score of 94-96 points, commended the wine as “a really marvellous Gazin.”

Buyers looking for value might consider last year’s vintage, which received the same score yet is available for half the price.

Alternatively, the higher scoring 2010 is available at a slight discount.

Critical opinion has been fairly positive. James Suckling (94-95) said the wine is “layered and intense with a fantastic depth of fruit and finesse.” Meanwhile Neal Martin commended this year’s vintage as a “fine Pomerol,” however he continues to believe “that this is not reaching its full potential given the terroir.” He awarded the wine 90-92 points.

For buyers who believe the 2016 is overreaching its price potential, the 2010 might look attractive. The wine carries the same Wine Advocate score, yet has several years in bottle and is available at roughly a 20% discount to the 2016. The equally-scored 2015 vintage might also catch buyers’ eyes.

It received a straight 100-point score from James Suckling, while Chris Kissack (98-100) and Jeff Leve (98-100) both saw it as potentially perfect. Suckling even suggested that the wine was “perhaps the greatest Lafite since the legendary 1959?”

Neal Martin was also full of praise and suspected that “this will ultimately turn out to be a regal Lafite Rothschild”. He awarded the wine 96-98 points.

Critics have praised this year’s Angelus. James Suckling awarded a score of 99-100 remarking that the wine is “dense yet also agile and energetic”. Neal Martin scored the wine lower, between 96-98, but commented that “once in bottle, I expect it to land towards the top of my banded scale.”

Prices for Angelus show some correlation to critic scores (Wine Advocate). Not only is the 2016 vintage entering the market at a price higher than all recent vintages bar the 100 point 2005, it is also around 20% more expensive. Buyers with deep pockets looking for value might be interested in the 2009 or 2010, which Robert Parker labelled as ‘candidates for perfection’ when he tasted them in 2015. Both wines currently carry scores of 99+.

Followers of James Suckling may be interested in the 2015, which was also awarded 99-100 points yet is available at a 20% discount to the current release.

Croix Beaucaillou 2016 is also the highest scoring vintage on the market according to The Wine Advocate. Neal Martin scored the wine 92-94 points and commented that, “though it is a Deuxieme Vin, it deserves several years in bottle”. James Suckling agreed that it was an “exciting second wine from Ducru” and awarded 94-95 points.

Buyers looking for value might consider the 2014 vintage, despite its slightly lower score of 92. The wine is available at a 35.2% discount to the 2016.

Jancis Robinson scored the wine 16.5, noting that the wine is “competent rather than exciting.” Neal Martin took a slightly different view, commenting that this year’s vintage is “so fresh and full of energy that the senses are almost overwhelmed. Frankly it leaves all other Beychevelles in recent years standing.” He awarded the wine 96-98 points, higher than all other recent vintages.

Critics have been positive in their reviews of Langoa Barton 2016. Jancis Robinson scored the wine 17.5 points and said it was “very much in its own style”. Neal Martin described the wine as an “understated and classic Langoa” and awarded 91-93 points.

Buyers looking for value might consider the 2014 vintage. It has a higher score of 93 points and is available at a 26.4% discount to the 2016.

Jane Anson scored the wine 92 points noting that this year’s vintage is “undoubtedly a great Sociando, with precise yet juicy graphite and black fruits on the palate”. Neal Martin commented that he admires “the completeness of this Sociando, the neatly embroidered new oak and the freshness on the palate.” He awarded Sociando Mallet 2016 92-94 points.

For buyers looking for value, the 2014 might look attractive. The wine has a score of 92, additional years in bottle and is available at a 42.9% discount to the current release.