Dynamic and punchy with great fruit still. Quite four square compared to the more silky 75’s alongside with plum, violets and supple fruit. At the edges the fruit showing a touch of fatigue and a slight dryness in the long finish. Not as supple and elegant as the PÈtrus but vibrant and memorable. — 4 days ago
@Paul T HB A wine with lovely depth of fruit and ripeness, yet always refined and integrated with ripe fruit, fresh acidity and a long and satisfying finish. It needs another 5 years. I decanted for an hour. 🤷🏽♂️✌🏼🍷😊 — a day ago
Château Garraud 2016 – Lalande-de-Pomerol
Bordeaux, France 🇫🇷
Overview
From the esteemed Lalande-de-Pomerol AOC, this Merlot-dominant blend (~70–75% Merlot with Cabernet Franc & Cabernet Sauvignon) captures the vintage’s hallmark: ripeness, balance, and solid structure. 2016 was an excellent year in Bordeaux, producing wines with both plush fruit and age-worthy backbone. Garraud delivers an approachable yet refined style, a softer counterpart to neighboring Pomerol but still layered and complex.
(Educational edge: Lalande-de-Pomerol sits just north of Pomerol proper—sharing similar gravel and clay terroirs, yet offering more approachable, value-driven wines compared to the iconic Pomerol greats.)
Aromas & Flavors
Plum compote, ripe cherry, and blackberry unfold with notes of cocoa, tobacco leaf, and baking spice. The Cabernet lift adds touches of cedar and graphite, giving the fruit an elegant frame.
Mouthfeel
Medium to full-bodied with velvety tannins and fresh acidity. Polished, silky, and structured—more depth than younger vintages, with a long, persistent finish carrying spice and dark fruit.
Winemaking Notes
The estate’s clay-gravel soils provide richness while oak aging (in French barrels) adds finesse and integration. With 2016’s concentration, this vintage has the balance to age gracefully for another 5–7 years.
Food Pairing
Roast duck, grilled lamb chops, or seared ribeye. Also works beautifully with mushroom risotto or semi-soft cheeses like Tomme de Savoie.
Verdict
An outstanding vintage expression of Lalande-de-Pomerol—plush, elegant, and structured. Drink now for its approachability, or hold a few more years to see added depth and nuance. Cheers! — 24 days ago
We have tasted three vintages., the 2019, 2010 and the 2015.
The 2019 was closed with no expressive attributes. The 2010, although was from a more matured vintage was surprisingly powerful however the tannins overwhelmed all other nuances ( probably needs some hours of decanting).
The 2015was at its peak. A complex and developing wine. With each tasting there are new aromas, fruit, barrel, maturation and the palate is strong, balanced with a lengthy finish — 13 days ago
Juan cortina sulaiman — 3 days ago
"Odedi"
It is time for some Merlot on this #MerlotThursday. Let's bring Merlot back!
Dark purple in color with a wide reddish rim.
Beautiful oaky nose with black fruits and chocolate notes.
Medium plus in body with medium acidity.
Dry on the palate with black currants, black plums, cherries, spices, cedar, licorice, vanilla, espresso, cola, light herbs, earth, chocolates, tobacco and black pepper.
Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.
This is a delicious Merlot from Pomerol. Soft and elegant. Rich and fruit forward. Nicely balanced and complex with a nice mouthfeel.
This 5 years old Merlot is fresh and young tasting. Drinks like a soft New World Cabernet Sauvignon with a touch of old world.
Will continue to age nicely in the next 25 years. Has good potential to become a 95 point wine.
I've had a few vintages of this wine and it is always enjoyable. A great sipping wine.
A blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. Aged for 16 months in (80% new) French Oak barrels.
15% alcohol by volume.
92 points.
$125. — 14 days ago