2016 Les Tourelles de Pichon Baron, Pauillac, Bordeaux

The more Merlot-dominated cuvée, the 2016 Les Tourelles de Longueville is a beauty in 2016 and is a fare click better than the 2015. Fleshy, forward, medium to full-bodied, and straight-up sumptuous, with lots of cassis, cedary herbs, and spice-driven aromatics, it’s another terrific wine from this estate. It’s certainly the more approachable of the trio and ideal for drinking over the coming 10-15 years.

Drink 2019 - 2034

Deliciously ripe and balanced with attractive, earthy nuances, surrounding ripe-plum and red-berry aromas and flavors. Sheet-like tannins layer up neatly and build a long, esteemed finish. Second wine of Pichon Baron. Try from 2023.

The 2016 Les Tourelles de Longueville is a blend of 58% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot from young vines that are destined to go into the Grand Vin one day, according to Christian Seely), matured in 30% new oak for 12 months. It offers a mixture of red and black fruit on the nose, just a touch of melted tar with fine delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with quite a powerful opening, dense black fruit tinged with graphite, a solid Deuxième Vin with a slightly aloof finish at least at the moment). There is a pleasant graphite note lingering long on the aftertaste that completes a fine Pauillac to enjoy over the next 12-15 years.

Drink 2021 - 2040

The 2016 Les Tourelles de Longueville is a very beautiful wine. Pliant, supple and inviting, the 2016 has so much to recommend it. Dark red cherry, red plum, tobacco, menthol and licorice are all laced together in this creamy, wonderfully expressive, silky Pauillac. The Tourelles will be impossible to resist young, and should drink well for another 10-15 years, maybe more.

Drink 2019 - 2028