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Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux 2016 Vintage Tasting
Las Vegas, NV
Tasted January 26, 2019 by La Cave d'Argent with 999 views
Introduction
Underwritten by Total Wine & More and marketed as "A Unique Bordeaux Event," Las Vegas' edition of the UGC tasting was carried out with the flair of what someone would expect from the entertainment capital of the world. Held at the beautiful Red Rock Resort, it was a well-organized, classy affair that was not oversold. This resulted in a no-stress environment that allowed tasters the time and space to easily sample any of the wines that they desired. The food was plentiful, delicious and easily accessible. The wines themselves were universally good. My notes are by no means comprehensive. There were many additional châteaux that were very worthy of tasting, but I paced myself at a rate where I knew I could write detailed notes without difficulty. This event proved to me that the 2016 vintage is well worthy of its accolades.
Flight 1 - Crus de Pessac-Léognan (13 notes)
White
2016 Château Carbonnieux Blanc
88 points
This pale yellow blend of 65% Sauvignon Blanc and 35% Sémillon delivers aromas and flavors of lime, tangerine, pear, green apple and dried herbs. Light-bodied, vibrant and without alcoholic heat, it retains good mid-palate presence and equally good lift on the medium-length back end. Drink now-2025.
White
2016 Château Larrivet-Haut-Brion Blanc
92 points
A pale yellow blend of 75% Sauvignon Blanc and 25% Sémillon, the 2016 Larrivet-Haut-Brion Blanc offers attractive aromas and flavors of kiwi, white peach, mango and saline. Light-to-medium-bodied, freshly acidic and seamlessly alcoholic, it is nicely dense on the middle palate and closes with a crisp and lengthy finish. Drink now-2026.
White
2016 Château Olivier Blanc
91 points
This light yellow wine is a blend of 78% Sauvignon Blanc, 20% Sémillon and 2% Muscadelle. Effusive of mango, lime zest, quince and wet stones, it is a crisply acidic, light-to-medium-bodied white with seamless alcohol and good mid-palate density. Retaining nice tension all the way through the lengthy finish, this is a quality offering that should show well for several more years. Drink now-2026.
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White
2016 Château Malartic-Lagravière Blanc
93 points
A pale yellow blend of 85% Sauvignon Blanc and 15% Sémillon, the 2016 Malartic-Lagravière is impressive from attack to finish. Intense stone fruit, lemon verbena, rose petal, tangerine and mineral aromas are matched by similar flavors on a light-to-medium-bodied, crisply acidic, seamlessly alcoholic frame. The wine remains vibrant and flavorful throughout the mid-palate and lengthy finish. This is a gorgeous white Bordeaux that should show well for another decade or more. Drink now-2029.
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White
2016 Château Pape Clément Blanc
95 points
Limpid and light yellow, the 2016 Pape Clément is a blend of 50% Sauvignon Blanc, 36% Sémillon, 9% Sauvignon Gris and 5% Muscadelle. Beautifully fragrant and flavorful, it delivers a package of pit fruits, citrus, white flowers, coriander and wet stones. Medium-bodied, freshly acidic and without alcoholic heat, it stays solid from attack all the way through the lengthy back end. This is classic in every sense and should age well. Drink now-2029.
White
2016 Château Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc
96 points
A pale yellow blend of 90% Sauvignon Blanc, 5% Sauvignon Gris and 5% Sémillon, the 2016 Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc serves up an enticing mélange of white peaches, Bosc pears, Asian spices, orange zest and vanilla bean. Medium-bodied and crisply acidic, it has a judicious component of oak that lends complexity without sacrificing freshness. The middle palate is impressively dense and the finish is very long. This is a superb white Bordeaux that should have substantial longevity. Drink now-2034.
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Red
2016 Château Carbonnieux
91 points
A deep ruby blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot, the 2016 Carbonnieux is medium-bodied, freshly acidic offering that is rich with cassis, dark plums, graphite and anise. The tannins are silky in texture, the middle palate solid and the finish medium-to-long. Drink 2024-2036.
Red
2016 Domaine de Chevalier
94 points
This deep crimson wine is a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot and 5% Cabernet Franc. Medium-to-full-bodied, dense and ripe, it delivers a payload of black and blue fruits, accented with notes of hoisin, pipe tobacco and violets. Fresh, seamlessly alcoholic, judiciously oaked and with abundant silky tannins, it stays solid in the middle and finishes with impressive length. Bright fruit and soft textures make this wine already delicious, but it will definitely get even better with a few years of cellaring. Drink 2023-2041.
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Red
2016 Château Larrivet-Haut-Brion
90 points
This deep ruby, medium-bodied red offers tremendous aromatics, which lead with floral elements and follow with notes of dried cranberry, crème de cassis and pipe tobacco. Fresh, seamlessly alcoholic and with more than a dollop of toasty oak, it delivers flavors in line with the aromas. The tannins are quite firm and grippy at this point, lending a note of dryness that is pervasive on both the mid-palate and lengthy finish. Give this some time in the cellar; a higher score may utimately be warranted. Drink 2024-2036.
Red
2016 Château Malartic-Lagravière
92 points
An opaque crimson blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot, the 2016 Malartic-Lagravière offers attractive aromas and flavors of morello cherries, dark bramble fruits, bramble leaf, licorice and tobacco. Full-bodied and with good lift, it delivers its package wrapped with plentiful sweet tannins and seamless alcohol. The middle palate is solid and there is excellent persistence on the finish. This should be at its best with a few years of cellaring. Drink 2024-2041.
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Red
2016 Château Olivier
90 points
This deep ruby wine is a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot. Offering a core of jammy red and black fruit, it is nuanced with notes of lavender, dark chocolate and loamy earth. Medium-bodied, fresh and without alcoholic heat, it stays solid on the middle palate, where it flexes some tannic grip. The finish is medium-to-long and a bit tart. Drink 2024-2036.
Red
2016 Château Pape Clément
96 points
This deep ruby wine is a blend of 60% Merlot, 36% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Petit Verdot and 1% Cabernet Franc. Teeming with black fruit, truffle, lavender, anise and cocoa on both the nose and palate, it is a medium-to-full-bodied specimen with fresh acidity, big sweet tannins, seamless alcohol and a judicious amount of oak. Solid in the middle and very long on the finish, this is classic in quality. Its soft textures make it drinkable now, but patience will definitely be rewarded for those who can resist. Drink 2025-2041.
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Red
2016 Château Smith Haut Lafitte
95 points
Deep-to-opaque ruby, the 2016 Smith Haut Lafitte is nothing short of spectacular. A blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot, it is packed with Montmorency cherries, dried cranberries, jasmine, licorice, dark chocolate and graphite. Full-bodied, layered on the mid-palate and with good lift, it delivers its flavors wrapped with abundant silky tannins and seamless alcohol. Finishing with impressive length, this is a superb wine with lots of upside potential. Drink 2024-2046.
4 people found this helpful
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Flight 2 - Crus de Saint-Émilion (2 notes)
Red
2016 Château Pavie Macquin
97 points
Deep-to-opaque ruby, this wine brims with red and blue fruit that is accented with notes of anise, saddle leather, vanilla and violets. Medium-to-full-bodied, fresh, seamlessly alcoholic and with ample sweet tannins, it retains a silky texture throughout the solid mid-palate and extremely long finish. Hands down, this is the best Pavie Macquin that I have ever tasted. A beautiful future lies ahead. Drink 2022-2041.
8 people found this helpful
Comments (3)
Red
2016 Château La Gaffelière
93 points
Deep-to-opaque crimson in color, this blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc is deceivingly structured. Medium-to-full-bodied, freshly acidic and with nicely integrated alcohol, it serves up a mélange of black and blue fruits, accented with notes of lavender, espresso, dark chocolate and a hint of mint. The tannins are abundant but lurk quietly by virtue of their silky texture, which gives the wine a soft mouthfeel throughout the dense middle palate and long finish. These tannins will allow this elegant wine to get even better after some time in the cellar. Drink 2025-2041.
Flight 3 - Crus de Pomerol (6 notes)
Red
2016 Château Beauregard
90 points
This opaque ruby wine has a nice core of tart cherries, red currants, cocoa and violets. Medium-bodied and with good lift, it supports its fruit with medium sweet tannins, seamless alcohol and nicely integrated oak. Solid in the middle, the wine moves on to a medium-length finish with a bit of tannic grip. Drink 2022-2036.
Red
2016 Château Le Bon Pasteur
89 points
This deep ruby wine is a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc. Medium-to-full-bodied, freshly acidic and with nicely integrated alcohol, it delivers aromas and flavors of Montmorency cherries, dark plums, chocolate and pipe tobacco. Despite the attractive flavor profile, the wine's character at this point is dominated by inexhaustible rustic tannins that carry an astringent note from attack through medium-length finish. This is lacking in charm at present and will require several years for the tannins to integrate. Drink 2027-2041.
1 person found this helpful
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Red
2016 Château Gazin Pomerol
93 points
Although this deep ruby wine (a blend of 87% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc) is a structured Bordeaux, there is a degree of elegance to it that many would refer to as "feminine." Up-front floral notes are buttressed with dried cranberries, coriander, black tea and pipe tobacco. Medium-bodied and fresh, this shows beautiful integration of the alcohol, oak and tannin components, making it a joy to drink. The middle palate is nicely dense, leading to a smooth, lengthy finish. This is a superb wine that could easily merit a higher score in the future. Drink 2024-2041.
4 people found this helpful
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Red
2016 Château Rouget
91 points
A deep ruby blend of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc, the 2016 Rouget is a solid offering. Ripe red and black currant fruit is supported by a nicely structured, seamlessly alcoholic, freshly acidic, medium-bodied frame. There are attractive components of lavender and tobacco that are pervasive on the middle palate, where the wine begins to show some tannic grip that carries on throughout the lengthy back end. This will benefit from a few years in the cellar. Drink 2023-2036.
Red
2016 Château Clinet
95 points
A wine of undeniable classic quality, the 2016 Clinet is an opaque crimson blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. Loaded with black and red fruit, it adds notes of graphite, pickling spice, truffle, tobacco and white flowers. Full-bodied, fresh, and beautifully balanced, it supports its flavors with generous fine-grained tannins, seamless alcohol and equally seamless oak. Dense on the mid-palate and long on the finish, this is a Clinet that will have substantial longevity. Bravo! Drink 2024-2041.
Red
2016 Château La Cabanne
92 points
Per owner/winemaker François Estager (who also humbly describes himself as "the guy who mops the floors"), this deep-to-opaque ruby wine is a blend of 94% Merlot and 6% Cabernet Franc. Rich with black and red currant fruit, it is a wine that is also layered with notes of lavender, black tea and allspice. Fresh, medium-bodied, seamlessly alcoholic and with ample sweet tannins, it has great mid-palate presence and finishes long. The quality-to-price ratio of this wine is quite impressive. Although a bit of cellaring will be helpful, this should put a big smile on one's face over the next couple of decades. Drink 2023-2036.
Flight 4 - Crus de Margaux (5 notes)
Red
2016 Château Lascombes
94 points
The 2016 Lascombes is a heavily-extracted, opaque crimson bruiser that is laden with blackberry, boysenberry, dark chocolate and licorice on both the nose and palate. Full-bodied, fresh, seamlessly alcoholic and with excellent purity of fruit, it wraps its flavors with abundant sweet tannins, has impressive mid-palate density and concludes with a lengthy finish that carries some tannic grip. Give this outstanding wine several years in the cellar. It has a very bright future and may merit a higher score once all of the components have melded. Drink 2026-2046.
1 person found this helpful
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Red
2016 Château Prieuré-Lichine
92 points
This opaque crimson wine serves up a beautiful combination of black and red fruit, with dark plums, raspberries and red currants at the forefront. Accented with lavender, violets and espresso, it is a fresh, full-bodied offering with plentiful ripe tannins and nicely integrated alcohol. Dense on the mid-palate and finishing medium-to-long, this is a structured Prieuré-Lichine that will be long-lived. Drink 2024-2046.
Red
2016 Château Giscours
94 points
Opaque crimson in color, the 2016 Giscours is flush with red fruits, Asian spices, espresso, pipe tobacco and dark chocolate. Full-bodied, fresh and with abundant silky tannins, it is an impeccably balanced wine with soft textures yet substantial structure. From attack to lengthy finish, this is a sexy wine that is hard to resist. Although precocious, it will have substantial longevity. Drink 2022-2041.
4 people found this helpful
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Red
2016 Château du Tertre
92 points
This deep ruby wine offers soft textures from start to finish. Wild berry, red plum, hoisin, dried herb and graphite reside in a medium-bodied, freshly acidic frame that is held together by ample silky tannins. With good mid-palate density, seamless alcohol and a lengthy smooth finish, this is one that will show well at an early stage. Drink 2022-2036,
1 person found this helpful
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Red
2016 Château Kirwan
92 points
Château Kirwan's 2016 iteration flaunts attractive aromas of black fruit, lavender, pickling spice and bay leaf. Medium-to-full-bodied, fresh and with copious sweet tannins, it delivers flavors mirroring the nose. The wine's alcohol and oak are nicely integrated and the middle palate is dense. Concluding with a medium-to-long, grippy finish, this is an excellent Kirwan that will benefit from a few years in the cellar. Drink 2024-2041.
2 people found this helpful
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Flight 5 - Crus de Saint-Julien (6 notes)
Red
2016 Château Talbot
92 points
Talbot's 2016 iteration is a deep-to-opaque ruby blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Merlot and 6% Petit Verdot. Loaded with tarry black cherry fruit, licorice, graphite and dark chocolate, it is a fresh, full-bodied bruiser with abundant grippy tannins that will require some time to assimilate. The alcohol and oak are in check, the middle palate dense and the finish lengthy (albeit astringent). Give this some time, as it is structured for the long haul. Drink 2025-2046.
Red
2016 Château Léoville Poyferré
96 points
An inky crimson/black color portends the density of this rich, ripe, structured wine. Packed with black, blue and red fruit, it adds nuances of baking spices, graphite and dark chocolate on an intense nose and full-bodied palate. Freshly acidic and seamlessly alcoholic, it delivers its gorgeous fruit wrapped with massive fine-grained tannins and a judicious amount of oak. Plump on the mid-palate and impresssively long on the back end, there is no denying the classic quality of this gem. With some cellar time this may merit an even higher score. Drink 2025-2046.
4 people found this helpful
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Red
2016 Château Léoville Barton
94 points
This opaque ruby/crimson wine delivers a package of black currants, dark bramble fruits, graphite, cigar box and dried herbs on both the nose and palate. Full-bodied, fresh and with nicely integrated alcohol, it has outstanding mid-palate presence. The finish is long, albeit with lots of grip from its abundant tannins. This will require some time in the cellar to sort itself out, but there is no denying the potential here. A higher score may be warranted in the future. Drink 2025-2046.
5 people found this helpful
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Red
2016 Château Langoa Barton
92 points
The 2016 Langoa Barton is a deep ruby, medium-bodied wine that offers wonderful aromas of wild berries, red currants, baking spices and pencil shavings. Fresh, seamlessly alcoholic and with medium fine-grained tannins, it delivers flavors mirroring the nose and stays solid throughout the middle palate. The medium-to-long back end concludes with good lift and a nice note of tobacco. This should come around with just a few years in the cellar but has the stuffing to be a 20+ year wine. Drink now-2036.
3 people found this helpful
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Red
2016 Château Gruaud Larose
93 points
Gruaud Larose's 2016 is a blend of 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc. Deep ruby in color, it possesses an attractive core of black fruit, supported with notes of lavender, tar, graphite and allspice. Full-bodied, fresh and without alcoholic heat, it coats the palate with plentiful grippy tannins that persist throughout a lengthy finish. Allowing this some cellar time will pay dividends. Drink 2026-2046.
Red
2016 Château Branaire-Ducru
94 points
Floral elements are front and center on this deep ruby, medium-to-full-bodied wine. White flowers, violets and lavender partner with a nice core of red fruit. Freshly acidic and without alcoholic heat, this has beautiful mid-palate density that is buttressed by abundant fine-grained tannins and well-integrated oak. Finishing long and with good lift, it will be a hedonistic pleasure for many years. Drink 2024-2041.
7 people found this helpful
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Flight 6 - Crus de Pauillac (5 notes)
Red
2016 Château Lynch-Bages
99 points
With its 2016 offering, Lynch-Bages has crafted a truly legendary wine. Opaque crimson, it brims with everything good. Black currants, dark plums, tarry black cherries, licorice, graphite, tobacco and espresso are but a few of the aromas and flavors that a taster can find on his or her journey with this wine. Full-bodied, fresh, seamlessly alcoholic and with gorgeous purity of fruit, it wraps its flavors with abundant fine-grained tannins and is tremendously dense on the mid-palate. The wine's finish goes on and on, but time in the cellar will be required in order to fully soften the tannic grip. This has the potential to ultimately receive a perfect score, and is definitely the best young Lynch that I have ever tasted. Drink 2030-2056.
9 people found this helpful
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Red
2016 Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste
95 points
Intense aromas and flavors of cassis, blackberries, Asian spices, lavender and espresso characterize this opaque crimson, full-bodied wine. Beautifully fresh and without alcoholic heat, it is nicely dense in the middle and is impressively structured by virtue of its plentiful silky-textured tannins. Finishing smooth and long, this is an elegant Pauillac that is clearly classic in quality. Drink 2024-2046.
6 people found this helpful
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Red
2016 Château Grand-Puy Ducasse
flawed
From a bottle opened in front of me by the château's representative (who did not taste the wine), this deep ruby specimen appeared to be lightly corked. I intended to return later for repeat sampling but did not have the opportunity.
Red
2016 Château Clerc Milon
94 points
This deep-to-opaque crimson wine is a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot and 1% Carménère. Brimming with red and black currants, dark plums, baking spices and milk chocolate, this is a medium-bodied wine with virtually no rough edges. Fresh, seamlessly alcoholic and with silky-texured tannins, it glides across the palate throughout the dense middle and lengthy back end. This is already drinking beautifully. I doubt that it will shut down, so don't be hesitant to pop a cork over the next couple of decades. Drink now-2036.
1 person found this helpful
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Red
2016 Château d'Armailhac
91 points
This deep crimson wine is effusive of earthy black cherry aromas, accented with lavender, smoke, pencil shavings and dark chocolate. Medium-bodied, fresh and without alcoholic heat, it delivers flavors mirroring the nose, supported by firm chewy tannins. There is good mid-palate density here and the finish is long, but the rustic nature of the tannins detract from what would otherwise be a tremendous wine. A higher score may ultimately be merited if the tannins can fully integrate. Drink 2026-2041.
1 person found this helpful
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Flight 7 - Crus de Saint-Estèphe (1 note)
Red
2016 Château Ormes de Pez
88 points
This deep-to-opaque ruby wine is laden with spicy black fruit, graphite and tobacco. Medium-to-full-bodied, fresh and without alcoholic heat, it wraps its flavors with abundant tannins that are atypically rustic for the 2016 vintage. While the middle palate is solid and the finish respectably long, the wine's astringency is inversely correlated with its charm. Perhaps a higher score will be merited once the tannins have softened. Drink 2026-2036.
Flight 8 - Crus de Sauternes et Barsac (7 notes)
White - Sweet/Dessert
2016 Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey
92 points
This medium golden wine is a blend of 93% Sémillon, 6% Sauvignon Blanc and 1% Muscadelle. Flaunting aromas and flavors of ripe peaches, pineapple, honey and vanilla, it is moderately sweet and has great acidity to balance the sugar. Nicely dense on the mid-palate and medium-to-long on the back end, this is a charmer! Drink 2023-2046.
White - Sweet/Dessert
2016 Château La Tour Blanche Sauternes
94 points
Effusive of ripe peaches, apricots, vanilla, honeysuckle, orange marmalade and melon, the 2016 La Tour Blanche is enticing from the get-go. What makes the wine special, however, is its excellent balancing acidity. Luscious and layered in the middle and long on the finish, this is an outstanding "sticky" worthy of recognition. As good as it is now, a few years in the cellar will make it even better. Drink 2024-2046.
1 person found this helpful
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White - Sweet/Dessert
2016 Château de Fargues
94 points
This straw colored wine delivers a nice package of botrytised fruit, including apricots, nectarines, pineapple and honeydew. The luscious fruit is accented with gorgeous floral notes, almonds, honey and vanilla. Vibrantly acidic and viscous, it is dense and layered from start to lengthy finish. This is impressive juice that should last for decades. Drink 2024-2050.
White - Sweet/Dessert
2016 Château Doisy-Daëne
93 points
This straw-colored wine flaunts an attractive medley of peach, pineapple, mango, vanilla and clementine orange aromas. Medium in weight and sweetness, it delivers flavors mirroring the nose. The wine's bright acidity balances the sugar nicely and there is good tension that lingers all the way through the lengthy finish. Drink 2024-2046.
2 people found this helpful
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White - Sweet/Dessert
2016 Château Clos Haut-Peyraguey
92 points
This straw-colored wine is effusive of crème brûlée, honey, tangerine, tropical fruit and apricot on both the nose and palate. Medium in weight, well-botrytised and with excellent balancing acidity, it retains its tension from attack all the way through the lengthy finish. Drink 2023-2046.
White - Sweet/Dessert
2016 Château Guiraud
91 points
Guiraud's 2016 is a straw-colored wine with dominant tropical fruit aromas and flavors. Playing background roles are notes of peaches, pears, almonds and vanilla. Medium in weight and sweetness, it retains a nice degree of freshness from its balancing acidity. Moderately oaked, dense on the middle palate and medium-to-long on the back end, this is a delicious dessert wine that should show well for many more years. Drink 2023-2041.
White - Sweet/Dessert
2016 Château Bastor-Lamontagne
89 points
Relative to most of its 2016 peers, the Bastor-Lamontagne is somewhat lighter in weight but is certainly not lacking in flavor. A blend of 80% Sémillon and 20% Sauvignon Blanc, it delivers a package of orange creamsicle, honeysuckle, apricot and pineapple. The acid is there to balance the sweetness, giving it good lift all the way through the medium-length finish. Drink now-2030.
Closing
In summary, the Las Vegas UGC tasting was a winner in all respects. Having attended previous UGC tastings in California, I can unequivocally say that this event was far better organized and was held in a venue that is on a different level. This is coming from someone who is not in the trade and has no "horse in the race." Kudos to those at Total Wine & More, Red Rock Resort and the Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux for making this happen!