The 2016 Le Boscq, owned by Vignobles Dourthe, is a blend of 50% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petit Verdot and was picked 29 September until 20 October. This represents a move towards Cabernet Sauvignon and away from Merlot in the final blend. It has a very ripe, opulent bouquet that does not quite convey its terroir with the same aplomb as say, the Phelan-Ségur. It translates more of the winemaking than the terroir. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy red fruit, crisp acidity and quite an elegant finish. It is in the second half of this wine that the quality of the vintage shows through. Hopefully the aromatics will gain more composure and it will live up to the finish it currently displays. One to watch.

The 2016 Château Le Boscq a rock star of a Saint-Estephe and offers a concentrated, textured, perfectly balanced profile that's very much in the style of the vintage. Liquid violets, mint, spring flowers, and blue fruit characteristics all emerge from this medium to full-bodied effort. It has present tannins, yet they're integrated and polished, and it's already accessible given its purity and, again, its balance. It should keep for 20 years or so.

This is a dense wine, packed with tannins. However this youthful concentration does not mask the bold black fruits and good acidity that are also very present. The vineyard surrounds a 19th-century chateau on a high point in Saint-Estèphe. Drink this intense wine from 2024.

The first bottle of the 2016 Le Boscq was corked. The second has a detailed, precise bouquet of brambly red fruit, cedar and light loamy aromas. The palate is clean and fresh, offering fine tannins, well-judged acidity and a slightly grainy texture, but displaying admirable precision and mineralité on the finish. Very fine. Tasted blind at the Southwold tasting.

This is both winey, with currant and cherry paste flavors, as well as tangy, with bright iron minerality for spine and a lilac note flitting through. The taut finish has pebbly grip. Not big, but should be fun to watch this mellow slightly with time. Best from 2021 through 2031. 6,500 cases made.