2016 Larrivet-Haut-Brion (Pessac-Leognan)

The 2016 Larrivet Haut Brion has a generous bouquet with red cherries, crushed strawberry, cigar box and light smoky scents that seem very seductive. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannin. The new oak here seems a little ponderous and slightly occludes both the fruit and terroir expression, therefore drying out the finish and leaving a mouth-puckering effect. Hopefully this will gain more balance during its barrel maturation, and gain more cohesion and detail on the finish. At the moment, I would favor the excellent 2015 Larrivet Haut Brion. Tasted three times with consistent notes.89-91 points

This is an attractive wine with black cherry and cassis notes which errs towards being overly austere. Tasted twice and on both occasions I was a touch disappointed by oak that dominates more so than most in 2016. 88 points

The Larrivet-Haut-Brion is terrific. Bold, pungent and super-expressive, the 2016 hits the palate with a rush of red fruit, blood orange and white pepp er, all of which give the wine its distinctive, lifted aromatics. Persistent and sculpted throughout, the 2016 is wonderfully polished in this vintage. There is plenty of personality and class. The blend is 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot and 6% Cabernet Franc. Stéphane Derenoncourt and Frédéric Massie consult. Tasted two times. 89-92 points