Best Wines of 2016: Which Wines to Buy in 2016?

The 2016 vintage was widely recognized as an exceptional year in many wine regions, despite sometimes challenging weather conditions early in the season. The harvests were generous, and the grapes reached perfect maturity. The quality of the wines is remarkable, with excellent structure, beautiful complexity, and intense aromas. Here is a selection of the best wines of 2016, region by region, and advice for your purchases.

Bordeaux 2016: An Exceptional Vintage

The 2016 vintage in Bordeaux is considered one of the best of the last decades. Favorable weather conditions allowed for optimal grape maturation, and the wines exhibit great concentration, beautiful tannic structure, and superb freshness. The Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are particularly noteworthy.

Best Wines:

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• Château Margaux (Médoc): An exceptional wine with great finesse, silky tannins, and complex aromas of black fruits, spices, and tobacco.
  
• Château Lafite Rothschild (Pauillac): Elegant and powerful, with aromas of black fruits, cedar, and a long finish.
  
• Château Mouton Rothschild (Pauillac): A dense, concentrated wine with notes of black fruits, vanilla, and chocolate.
  
• Château Cheval Blanc (Saint-Émilion): Magnificent aromatic complexity, with aromas of ripe red fruits, violet, and precious wood.
  

To Buy: The Grands Châteaux of Bordeaux for extended aging. The 2016 vintage is ideal for wine enthusiasts who desire powerful, balanced, and very complex wines.

Burgundy 2016: An Exceptional Vintage

In Burgundy, 2016 was a particularly successful vintage. After difficult weather conditions in the spring, winemakers were able to harvest high-quality grapes. The Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays are of great purity, with beautiful tension and impressive aromatic complexity.

Best Wines:

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• Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (Côte de Nuits): An exceptional wine, complex, with aromas of black fruits, undergrowth, and great length on the palate.
  
• Domaine Leflaive (Puligny-Montrachet): A rich Chardonnay with notes of white fruits, hazelnut, and beautiful minerality.
  
• Domaine Armand Rousseau (Gevrey-Chambertin): A deep Pinot Noir with aromas of cherry, violet, and elegant tannic structure.
  
• Domaine Comte Georges de Vogüé (Musigny): A refined and complex wine with aromas of black fruits, spices, and flowers.
  

To Buy: The Pinot Noirs from Côte de Nuits and the Chardonnays from Puligny-Montrachet or Chablis for their aging potential.

Rhône Valley 2016: A Perfect Vintage for Aging Wines

The Rhône Valley saw an exceptional harvest in 2016. The vintage is marked by powerful wines, but with great elegance and beautiful freshness. The Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Côtes-Rôties, and Hermitage are of great richness, with complex aromas and beautiful tannic structure.

Best Wines:

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• Château de Beaucastel (Châteauneuf-du-Pape): A wine of great depth, with aromas of black fruits, garrigue, and spices.
  
• Guigal (Côte-Rôtie): An elegant and powerful wine with notes of red fruits, pepper, and licorice.
  
• Domaine Jean-Louis Chave (Hermitage): A concentrated wine with aromas of black fruits, leather, and undergrowth.
  
• Domaine du Pegau (Châteauneuf-du-Pape): A complex wine with beautiful substance and aromas of ripe fruits and spices.
  

To Buy: The Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Hermitage for their aging potential and complexity.

Piedmont (Italy) 2016: A Perfect Vintage for Barolos and Barbarescos

The 2016 vintage in Piedmont produced exceptional wines, with Barolos and Barbarescos that exhibit beautiful tannic structure and great aromatic depth. This vintage is considered one of the best in recent years for Nebbiolo wines.

Best Wines:

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• Gaja (Barbaresco): A rich and complex wine with aromas of black fruits, rose, and tobacco.
  
• Vietti (Barolo): A Barolo of great elegance with notes of cherry, rose, and licorice.
  
• Pio Cesare (Barbaresco): A structured wine with aromas of red fruits, violet, and beautiful complexity.
  
• Bruno Giacosa (Barbaresco): A wine of great finesse with aromas of red fruits, earth, and spices.
  

To Buy: The Barolos and Barbarescos for their aging potential and complexity.

California 2016: Powerful and Elegant Wines

The 2016 vintage in California was exceptional, with perfect weather conditions for grape maturation. The Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noirs are powerful, with beautiful fruit depth and significant tannic structure.

Best Wines:

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• Opus One (Napa Valley): An elegant and complex wine with notes of black fruits, cedar, and chocolate.
  
• Robert Mondavi (Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon): A structured wine with aromas of black fruits, vanilla, and oak.
  
• Kistler (Sonoma Coast Chardonnay): An elegant Chardonnay with notes of white fruits, hazelnut, and beautiful minerality.
  
• Harlan Estate (Napa Valley): A rich and concentrated wine with aromas of black fruits, cassis, and spices.
  

To Buy: The Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noirs from Napa Valley and Sonoma Coast for their power and aging potential.

Champagne 2016: An Exceptional Vintage

In Champagne, 2016 was a remarkable vintage. The weather conditions allowed for excellent grape maturation, and the vintage wines are of great purity and complexity. The quality of the Pinot Noirs, Pinot Meuniers, and Chardonnays is exceptional.

Best Wines:

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• Krug (Vintage Champagne): A wine of great complexity with aromas of ripe fruits, brioche, and hazelnut.
  
• Dom Pérignon (Vintage Champagne): Elegant and refined, with notes of fresh fruits, flowers, and beautiful minerality.
  
• Bollinger (Vintage Champagne): A powerful wine with aromas of dried fruits, brioche, and honey.
  
• Salon (Vintage Champagne): A wine of great finesse with aromas of white fruits and beautiful length on the palate.
  

To Buy: The Vintage Champagnes for their aging potential and great complexity.

Summary of 2016 Vintages:

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• Bordeaux 2016: An exceptional vintage with powerful, concentrated, and complex wines. To buy for long aging.
  
• Burgundy 2016: A vintage of great purity with elegant and well-structured wines. Ideal for fine wine enthusiasts.