2016 Grand-Pontet (St-Emilion)

The 2016 Grand-Pontet has a ripe licorice and black plum-scented bouquet, touches of smoke developing in the glass. The palate is full-bodied with ripe black fruit, a touch of melted tar and again, a hint of salted licorice. However, I find the finish too blocky and extracted, needing more finesse and detail. This may well improve by the time it is barrel, but it just seems a little pushed at the moment. 88-90 points

Tight and a little old-school, this is one of the very few St-Émilions this year where I feel the tannins are tugging me down through the liquorice and black cherry fruit, not leading me upwards. Clear power, but pulls up short on the pleasure. The blend is 75% Merlot, 17.5% Cabernet Franc and 7.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, cropped at a good yield of 50hl/ha. 87 points

The 2016 Grand-Pontet is powerful and dense, but also a bit tough around the edges because of the heavy extraction and oak. It will be interesting to see if the 2016 comes together a bit more ful ly over its aging. Today, the dark fruit and oak torrefaction signatures dominate the wine`s balance. Tasted two times. 86-89 points