The 2016 vintage in Bordeaux got off to a turbulent start. A rainy spring increased mildew pressure, but from June onward, the rain stopped completely for over three months, marking the driest period in 25 years. Light rain in early September helped ripening finish, and the harvest lasted under Indian summer conditions through early October. The cool vineyards influenced by limestone weathered the drought best, and Larmande sits on precisely such limestone.
The result is a wine with ripe fruit and a firm spine, which was aged for 14 to 18 months in French oak barrels (60% of which were new). The harvest was more abundant than in previous years, and 2016 marked the second consecutive excellent harvest for the region, following 2015, the first such streak since 2009 and 2010.
The wine is now at its best until at least 2032 when stored properly.
Robert Parker (93)
The 2016 Larmande has a clean and pure bouquet, a mixture of red and black fruit, more detailed and focused than some of its peers. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, well judged acidity, harmonious and focused with a long, persistent and very pure finish. This is a lovely Larmande that is going to give a lot of pleasure.
James Suckling (92)
Just a hint of bitter chocolate coats the fresh black-fruit character in this generous St.-Emilion. Polished tannins carry the long finish. A blend of 65 per cent merlot, 30 per cent cabernet franc and five per cent cabernet sauvignon.
Jancis Robinson (15.5)
Tasted blind. Heady spicy nose. Thick, sweet and creamy. Lots of attention to texture here. But just a tad pinched on the end. Is it all smoke and mirrors? Just not very refreshing on the end. A bit furry. Jancis Robinson
Vinous (93)
The 2016 Larmande has a lively, generous bouquet featuring a mélange of black and red fruit, cedar and subtle mint aromas; the oak is nicely integrated here. The medium-bodied palate offers supple tannins, a slightly grainy texture, good backbone and a fine seam of acidity, and there is real delineation and poise on the finish. Excellent. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting.
Falstaff (91)
Dunkles Rubingranat, violette Reflexe, zarte Randaufhellung, reife Pflaumenfrucht, deutliche Kräuterwürze, etwas rustikales Bukett, Orangenzesten. Etwas weitmaschig, Dörrobstanklänge, integrierte Tannine, schokoladiger Nachhall, bald zugänglich.
