Les Tourelles de Longueville 2016

The 2016 Les Tourelles de Longueville is a blend of 58% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Cabernet Franc and 5% Petit Verdot (from young vines that are destined to go into the Grand Vin one day, according to Christian Seely), matured in 30% new oak for 12 months. It offers a mixture of red and black fruit on the nose, just a touch of melted tar with fine delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with quite a powerful opening, dense black fruit tinged with graphite, a solid Deuxième Vin with a slightly aloof finish (at least at the moment). There is a pleasant graphite note lingering long on the aftertaste that completes a fine Pauillac to enjoy over the next 12-15 years.- Neal Martin.

Deliciously ripe and balanced with attractive, earthy nuances, surrounding ripe-plum and red-berry aromas and flavors. Sheet-like tannins layer up neatly and build a long, esteemed finish. Second wine of Pichon Baron. Try from 2023.

The more Merlot-dominated cuvée, the 2016 Les Tourelles de Longueville is a beauty in 2016 and is a fare click better than the 2015. Fleshy, forward, medium to full-bodied, and straight-up sumptuous, with lots of cassis, cedary herbs, and spice-driven aromatics, it’s another terrific wine from this estate. It’s certainly the more approachable of the trio and ideal for drinking over the coming 10-15 years.