2016 Vintage — A Modern Benchmark of Balance and Precision

Buying a 2016 vintage wine means choosing one of the greatest vintages of the 21^st century. Following a season marked by a wet spring, a dry summer and an exceptional late growing season, the finest estates produced wines of remarkable precision, combining depth, freshness and extraordinarily refined tannins. The greatest wines possess exceptional ageing potential.

The greatest successes can be found in Bordeaux, Burgundy, the Rhône Valley, Champagne, Piedmont and Germany for its outstanding Rieslings. The vintage stands out for its exceptional balance between ripeness, freshness and faithful terroir expression.

The Style of the 2016 Vintage

The 2016 vintage is now regarded as one of the defining vintages of the modern era. Following a wet spring, a dry summer and an exceptional late season, the finest wines combine remarkable concentration, outstanding freshness and some of the finest tannins seen in decades. Their exceptional balance gives them one of the greatest ageing potentials of the 21^st century.

Bordeaux 2016 — A Modern Benchmark for Long-Lived Fine Wines

In Bordeaux, 2016 is unanimously regarded as one of the greatest modern vintages ever produced. The wines combine depth, freshness, precision and exceptional tannin quality. Outstanding wines were made on both the Left and Right Banks, with particularly remarkable performances in Pauillac, Saint-Julien, Margaux, Pomerol, Saint-Émilion and Pessac-Léognan.

Look for: Pauillac, Saint-Julien, Margaux, Saint-Estèphe, Pomerol, Saint-Émilion, Pessac-Léognan and Bordeaux's leading classified growths.

Burgundy, Northern Rhône and Piedmont — Exceptional Expressions of Terroir

In Burgundy, despite very low yields in many vineyards, the finest estates produced red wines of remarkable purity and white wines combining precision, tension and outstanding minerality. The Northern Rhône delivered deep, beautifully balanced Syrahs, while Piedmont produced elegant, structured Barolo wines with exceptional ageing potential.

Look for: Barolo, Gevrey-Chambertin, Vosne-Romanée, Meursault, Hermitage and Côte-Rôtie.

Champagne and Germany — Freshness and Remarkable Precision

In Champagne, the leading houses produced elegant, precise vintage cuvées with outstanding ageing potential. In Germany, the finest Rieslings stand out for their aromatic purity, vibrant natural acidity and remarkable longevity, making 2016 an outstanding vintage for lovers of great white wines.