Château Lalande Borie - Saint-Julien 2016

Yvesbeck.wine

93 / 100

byYves Beckthe3/20/2019

Rouge grenat profond. Bouquet complexe, précis, révélant des notes de graphite et du fruit. Attaque friande et fruitée. Au palais, le vin est friand, compacte, doté de tannins compacts et d'une vivacité rafraîchissante. Il y a d u jus et de la fraîcheur. Un vin authentique, convaincant. Finale rafraîchissante, fruitée et persistante. 2022-2041 93/100

Jeb DUNNUCK

92 / 100

byJeb Dunnuckthe3/1/2019

Another winner from the genius of Bruno Borie, the 2016 Lalande-Borie is a wine savvy readers should seek out. My money is on it being the best to date, and it also shows how successful Saint-Julien was in 2016. Offering loads of pure cassis, violets, and sappy herb aromas and flavors, this beauty is all elegance and purity on the palate, with fine tannins, medium to full-bodied richness, impressive depth of fruit, and a great finish. It’s drinkable today and will be drinkable in 15-20 years as well. The blend is 55% Merlot and 45% Cabernet Sauvignon raised in 30% new French oak.

Wine Spectator

93 / 100

byJames Molesworththe2/5/2019

Vivid and racy cassis, blueberry puree and damson plum coulis flavors show serious cut and drive, while mouthwatering bramble and sweet tobacco notes fill in. Best from 2023 through 2036. 10,000 cases made.  –JM

Jamessuckling.com

93 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe2/4/2019

Attractive, ripe cabernet fruit on the nose, this has aromas of blackberries and blueberries with a dark, slate-like, stony edge. The palate is very succulent and has good intensity of purple berries and assertive, grainy tannins that really power into the finish. This is a great value 2016 St.-Julien. Try from 2023.

Vinous

92 / 100

byNeal Martinthe1/24/2019

The 2016 Lalande-Borie has a much more backward, introspective bouquet than the Fourcas-Borie, displaying earthy, tobacco-infused black fruit that refuses to come out and play. The palate is rounded on the entry with supple tannin and a fine bead of acidity. Quite minerally in style, leading to a fresh finish. Allow this four or five years in bottle and it will offer a decade of drinking pleasure.

Vinous

91 / 100

byAntonio Gallonithe1/21/2019

The 2016 Lalande-Borie is dark, powerful and ample, with an extra kick of concentration and brooding power that has developed during élevage. Blackberry jam, cloves, menthol, chocolate and espresso all meld together. This is a decidedly potent Saint-J with quite a bit more intensity than it showed from barrel.

Wine Advocate

89 / 100

byLisa Perrotti-Brownthe11/30/2018

The 2016 Lalande-Borie is deep garnet-purple colored, offering up cassis, earth and spice box on the nose with touches of kirsch and tea. The palate is medium-bodied, firm and grainy with nice vibrancy.

Decanter.com

91 / 100

byJane Ansonthe10/31/2018

Jeb DUNNUCK

90-92 / 100

byJeb Dunnuckthe11/30/2017

Wine Advocate

90-92 / 100

byNeal Martinthe5/2/2017

The 2016 Lalande-Borie is a blend of 55% Merlot and 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, delivering 13.66% alcohol and matured in 30% new oak and the remainder oneyear old. There is something almost clinical about the nose, very pure, no frills (at the moment), hints of crushed violet emerging with time. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, very harmonious and cohesive, citrus-like freshness from start to finish with a long and velvety blueberry and blackberry finish. This is very polished and it should give plenty of drinking pleasure for several years.

The Wine Cellar Insider

90-92 / 100

byJeff Levethe4/27/2017

Smoky plum and chocolate aromatics make it fun to go nose to nose with this wine. Juicy, round, polished fruits and sweetness, silky tannins and an open personality make this a delicious wine to drink on release or age for a bit. Soft textures and a blast of chocolate with loads of plum and cherry in the endnote make this a fine Bordeaux value wine. 

Vinous

90-92 / 100

byAntonio Gallonithe4/26/2017

The 2016 Lalande-Borie is plump, juicy and forward. Sweet tobacco, grilled herbs, menthol, black cherry and earthy notes give the 2016 its distinct savory profile. This midweight, attractive Saint-Julien will drink well with minimal cellaring. The significant presence of Merlot gives the wine its fleshy, seductive personality. Tasted two times.

matthewjukes.com

16,5 / 20

byMatthew Jukesthe4/25/2017

(55 Merlot, 45 Cabernet Sauvignon) | 30% new oak | 13.7% alc. 77 IPT Marked by slightly sappy oak, this is a full wine with good density and a dark hue. There is some concentration and depth and also a wild side here which is very attractive, particularly at this price. There is some good Italian spice here which is fascinating and I can only put this down to the heat in mid-summer. 16.5+

Decanter.com

90 / 100

byJane Ansonthe4/24/2017

55% Merlot and 45% Cabernet Sauvignon aged in 33% new oak. 3.67pH. This wine is packed with generous fruits and some lovely, deep tannins that are both flexible and fresh. The vines for this wine are 13ha on the western side of the appellation near La Mouline river, made up of sandy soils with extremely fine gravels. Again, this shows that you can find quality and value at every level in St-Julien in 2016. Drinking Window 2025 - 2038

Jancis Robinson

17,5 / 20

byJancis Robinsonthe4/21/2017

55% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon. 30% new oak. Rich and very lively on the nose. Real freshness and raciness. Beautiful wine! Really vibrant and rich. But with masses of energy. Just very slightly dry on the end. But such a charmer! GV

Wine Enthusiast

92-94 / 100

byRoger Vossthe4/19/2017

Barrel Sample. The wine has a fine, elegant character while at the same time density and power. It is ripe, full of acidity and pure black-currant fruitiness. The wine has dusty tannins, never tough, with fine fruit. For long-term aging.

Wine Spectator

91-94 / 100

byJames Molesworththe4/10/2017

Rock-solid, with a core of blueberry, blackberry and cassis flavors, lined with slightly tarry grip. Keeps a fresh, driven feel through the incense-fueled finish.—J.M.

Jamessuckling.com

92-93 / 100

byJames Sucklingthe4/5/2017

This is very linear and refined with tight-grained tannins and blackberry and blackcurrant character. Shows such finesse and beauty. One of best from here in a long time.