Clos La Madeleine 2016

The 2016 Clos la Madeleine, which was one of the final vintages before it was subsumed into Bélair-Monange, has a slightly more high-toned and exotic bouquet compared to its peers: black cherries, leather and clove, harmonious with well-integrated oak. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly dry tannins, a solid Right Bank '16, a little savoury and Rhône-like towards the finish, though I appreciate the length. Very fine. Tasted blind at the Southwold 10-Year-On tasting. 2026-2040.

Very ripe, almost jammy with plum, dark-berry and cherry character. Full, round and chewy. Intense. Grapes were picked late. Extremely well done.

I kept going back for another taste of this wine, so delightful is the structure. Lovely chalky tannins, this shows how in 2016 the new oak can be beautifully eaten up. Gorgeous minerality and deft black fruits, precise and finessed. 2.3ha from the limestone plateau and slopes, this is the smallest classified growth in St-Émilion. 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc aged for 18 months in 100% new oak. 2027-2050

Tasted blind. Lustrous dark garnet. High-toned cassis nose. Sleek. Almost tastes like Cabernet. Vigorous and fresh. Still youthful. Long. 2026-2040