Winemaker Notes
The 2016 Chateau La Prade is a blend of 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Franc grapes grown on limestone soils. The limestone character comes out clearly in the wine. Dark colour with a bright garnet rim; lovely open nose full of wild berry and bramble scents; smooth, fresh and pretty on the palate, this is a lovely wine, well-balanced and pure.
Professional Ratings
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Decanter
Stately and restrained, this has a clear sense of minerality and salinity. An enjoyable wine matured in 33% new oak of both 225' and 500l sizes. Great quality.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
A great effort, the 2016 La Prade possesses aromas of black cherry, iris, violet, spring flowers and blueberry. It is medium to full-bodied, supple, juicy and fresh, while its velvety tannins lead the way to a long, ethereal finish. The force of the clay terroir is clearly expressed but with great balance
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Wine Enthusiast
Bold tannins and ripe fruit are the hallmarks of this rich wine from the Nicolas Thienpont range. A solid structure backs up the ripe black-currant flavors. The wine will certainly age well, so wait until 2021.
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James Suckling
This is integrated and lightly chewy with dark berries and light chocolate and some hazelnuts. Medium body. Fresh finish. A blend of 88 per cent merlot and 12 per cent cabernet franc. Drink now.
One of the world’s most classic and popular styles of red wine, Bordeaux-inspired blends have spread from their homeland in France to nearly every corner of the New World. Typically based on either Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot and supported by Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot, the best of these are densely hued, fragrant, full of fruit and boast a structure that begs for cellar time. Somm Secret—Blends from Bordeaux are generally earthier compared to those from the New World, which tend to be fruit-dominant.
On the right bank of Bordeaux between St. Emilion and Bergerac, Cotes de Francs boasts southwestern exposed slopes that produce robust Merlot-based wines. A tiny amount of Sémillon is grown and made in both dry and sweet styles.