Château La Vieille Cure

Wine Spectator

91 / 100

byJames Molesworththe2/5/2019

This has a warm fruitcake note out front, backed by flavors of frankly ripe plum and boysenberry preserves and a lush, toasty finish. Has enough acidity to keep it honest, but this is on the flattering side of the ledger for sure. Drink now through 2028. 4,583 cases made. –JM

Jamessuckling.com

92 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe2/4/2019

A riper style with some darker-plum and mulberry aromas, framed in lightly spicy and cedary oak influence. The palate has good depth and silkiness with a wealth of fine, plush tannins and a smooth, fresh and flavorful finish. A blend of merlot, cabernet franc and cabernet sauvignon. Try from 2022.

Vinous

92 / 100

byNeal Martinthe1/24/2019

The 2016 La Vieille Cure has a ripe, opulent bouquet of layers of black cherries and bilberry fruit, quite glossy in style but retaining commendable definition. The palate is smooth in texture with plump ripe tannins. Toasty but with sufficient freshness percolating through the spicy black fruit on the finish, which leaves a hint of cough drops on the aftertaste. Recommended.

Vinous

93 / 100

byAntonio Gallonithe1/21/2019

The 2016 La Vieille Cure is fabulous. Racy and voluptuous in the glass, the 2016 is seriously beautiful. Raspberry jam, white chocolate, spice, leather and rose petal notes infuse this super-expressive, plush Fronsac. La Vieille Cure is a wine of real charact pedigree. I loved it.

Wine Advocate

92 / 100

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe11/30/2018

The 2016 La Vieille Cure has a deep garnet-purple color and quite a savory nose of chargrilled meats, tapenade, beef dripping and dried herbs over a core of plum preserves and Black Forest cake. Full-bodied, rich and packed with black plums and savory layers, it has a firm, velvety frame and fantastic length.

La Revue du Vin de France

15-16 / 20

the6/6/2017

Nouvelle version tout en finesse et élégance de tanins. Conserve un très grand fruit.

Bettane & Desseauve

92 / 100

by Bettane & Desseauvethe5/3/2017

Fruits noirs et épices émergent au nez, les tannins sont bien proportionnés pour ce classique à la silhouette dense et juteuse avec ce qu’il faut de profondeur.

Wine Advocate

90-92 / 100

byNeal Martinthe5/2/2017

The 2016 La Vieille Cure has a backward but detailed bouquet that will surely find its voice once in barrel. You can tell that there is attractive pure black fruit here. The palate is medium-bodied with grippy tannin, plenty of toasty black fruit, but it manages to retain fine delineation and I appreciate the spicy, peppery finish that lingers. This is a sterling follow-up to the 2015 Vieille Cure.

Vinous

89-92 / 100

byAntonio Gallonithe4/26/2017

La 2016 Vieille Cure is once again a serious overachiever. Voluptuous and racy in the glass, the 2016 blasts across the palate with a heady mélange of dark cherry, plum, spice, rose petal and licorice notes. This is an especially sumptuous, flamboyant wine that will deliver considerable pleasure upon release. Tasted two times.

matthewjukes.com

17 / 20

byMatthew Jukesthe4/25/2017

(82 Merlot, 15 Cabernet Franc, 3 Cabernet Sauvignon) Spicy, dark and rather tangy, this is a lovely, bold wine with some wild notes and proper length. This Château is a superb resident of Fronsac and I see this region becoming more and more important in the Bordeaux constellation over the next few years. 17+

Jancis Robinson

16 / 20

byJancis Robinsonthe4/20/2017

Fragrant, neat. A little pinched but not overdone.

Wine Spectator

91-94 / 100

byJames Molesworththe4/10/2017

This races along like it has somewhere to be, with excellent focus to the raspberry and cassis fruit, a flash of bay and a well-embedded chalky edge. Rock-solid.—J.M.

Jamessuckling.com

92-93 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe4/5/2017

A tight and linear red with such beautiful class and depth. Full body, polished tannins and a long, long finish. We will see which is better: 2015 or 2016.